Apple key designer Danny Coster to join GoPro

For only the second time in its history, Apple has lost a member of its vaunted industrial design team to another company. The Information broke the news that  long-time designer Danny Coster had opted to try to work his design magic at action camera maker GoPro (formerly Woodman Labs).

Coster is due to take over as vice president of design at GoPro in the next fortnight.

A core member of Apple's elite industrial design team  Coster, who had worked with Apple since the early '90s, had been instrumental in designing the look and feel of many of Apple's iconic products, including the original Bondi Blue iMac and the iPhone.

Coster is also credited for his contributions to a wide range of now iconic consumer electronics ranging from the iPhone 4 to the iPad wireless keyboard.

He holds more than 500 design patents and several utility patents, and has been recognized by several international design organizations for his work.

GoPro shares were up over 19 per cent to $13.90 at the close of trading on the Nasdaq exchange.

According to the California-based company, Daniel Coster would become the company's vice president of design at the end of the month, reporting directly to founder and chief executive Nick Woodman.

Coster will influence all aspects of design at GoPro in his new role, including hardware and software and services, lending his strategic vision and expertise to maximizing the GoPro user's experience from end to end.

"Ironically, Danny and I first met in December, 2001, on the beach in Sayulita, Mexico, at the very start of the five-month surfing trip where I developed and tested the first GoPro prototype," Woodman said.

"His design pedigree speaks for itself, but I will say that we feel energized to have him join GoPro."

About his decision to join GoPro, Coster said, ''This extraordinary company is close to the hearts of so many people around the world. Its brand and products inspire us to capture and share our lives' most important moments. I'm excited to shape the future with the incredible team at GoPro.''

"Its brand and products inspire us to capture and share our lives' most important moments."