Who is Abidur Chowdhury? The Designer Behind Apple’s iPhone Air
Meet Abidur Chowdhury, the Apple designer behind the iPhone Air. From London education to global recognition, here’s his inspiring journey.
Abidur Chowdhury, the Apple designer credited with creating the iPhone Air, unveiled the device at Apple’s September 2025 launch event.
The unveiling of Apple's thinnest smartphone till date, the iPhone Air, at the event in September 2025 saw one name garnering particular attention. The London-raised industrial designer has been called the artistic director behind the Air's stratospherically thin engineering, premium materials, and sleek looks. So, who really is this phenom named Abidur Chowdhury, and how did he rise to prominence on an Apple stage?
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in London United Kingdom, Chowdhury pursued Product Design and Technology at Loughborough University-an esteemed design and engineering school in the United Kingdom. His academic life was taylored with accolades, including the 3D Hubs Student Grant, James Dyson Foundation Bursary, Kenwood Appliances Award, New Designers Kenwood Appliances Award, and the 2016 Red Dot Design Award for his project Plug and Play. While the exact timeline of his schooling is not public knowledge, reports suggest Chowdhury may be of Bangladeshi origin, making the ascent of his name an even more noteworthy event in the global tech circles.
Working Before Apple
Chowdhury entered his design career through internships and design positions in different firms in the United Kingdom such as Cambridge Consultants, Curventa, and Layer Design in London. Between 2018 and 2019, he ran his independent consultancy, Abidur Chowdhury Design, working on projects of various natures with start-ups and agencies.
At Apple in California, Chowdhury entered the Industrial Design Team in January 2019. Much of the work he did early on remained secret, but in 2025, after he obtained more public acknowledgment from being credited with the design for the iPhone Air, he became more well-known.
The Apple- iPhone Air Moment
Unlike the majority of Apple designers who go about their jobs without taking too much limelight, Chowdhury was also visible at the launch of the iPhone Air, describing it as: "the thinnest iPhone ever, with the power of Pro inside-a paradox you have to hold to believe." This was perhaps the first big step opening the spotlight on designers at Apple alongside leaders.
Using his breathtaking slim design at just 5.6mm, the iPhone Air challenged durability, battery, and heat management, marking the device appreciably as a technical design accomplishment. Assistants: He is indeed one of the most highly visible new-age designers at Apple.
Why His Journey Matters
Chowdhury’s story demonstrates a beautiful mixture of global education, multicultural origin, and excellence in design. From winning design competitions to working as a freelancer for diverse clients to finally being drafted to work in one of the world’s most secretive tech companies, his journey conveys important lessons for young aspirants.
Industry experts say his visibility will encourage more youthful, under-represented talent to pursue industrial design, showing that creativity and persistence can bring one international recognition.
