Apple hired designer Marc Newson on part-time basis to work on "specific" projects
Vanity Fair last month reported that Apple had hired famed designer Marc Newson to join Jony Ive's highly respected and ridiculously secretive industrial design team. But as it turns out, Newson's role within Apple isn't a full time gig, with the designer explaining as much during a recent interview with architecture and design magazine Dezeen.
While much of the interview focuses on Newson's latest baby -- a domestic draft beer machine he helped design for Heineken -- he did touch ever so briefly on a few Apple-centric topics.
Newson wasn't allowed to comment on whether or not he was involved in any aspects of the Apple Watch design process, though he did express the opinion that the Apple Watch likely won't have a significant effect on the mechanical watch industry.
As for his position within Apple, Newson said that he was hired for "very specific reasons" that won't monopolize his time.
A transcript of the interview reads in part:
Amy Frearson: You've taken on quite a major role with Apple, do you think you'll still have time to work on these kinds of project as well?
Marc Newson: Yes absolutely, because my role at Apple doesn't necessitate all of my time and that was for very specific reasons, so absolutely, my company still exists and I remain based in the UK.
Amy Frearson: And can you tell me what you're working on at Apple?
Marc Newson: Not really! Sorry!
Mark van Iterson: They'll fire him immediately if he does.
Marc Newson: And I've only just started!
Amy Frearson: Can you tell me if you were involved in the watch design?
Marc Newson: Apparently I can't.
PR Lady: Sorry we can't answer that, sorry.
