Marc Newson – the much-feted Australian designer whose work includes Qantas' first class lounges and Airbus A380 suites and seats – will join Apple this year.
Newson will work with long-time friend and recent collaborator Jony Ive, who serves as Senior Vice President of Design, according to a report in Vanity Fair.
Marc Newson and Jonny Ive
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair
Ive confirmed the move, adding in a statement to Vanity Fair that "Marc is without question one of the most influential designers of this generation."
"He is extraordinarily talented. We are particularly excited to formalize our collaboration as we enjoy working together so much and have found our partnership so effective."
Newson will remain based in London but shuttle back and forth to Apple's headquarters at Cupertino, although Vanity Fair reports that he "will continue to work on projects outside of the company as well."
Newson's work for Qantas includes its first class lounges in Sydney and Melbourne.
Newson also shaped the airline's flagship Airbus A380 from tip to tail, beginning with its first class suites...
... and even the first class loo, for that matter...
But Newson didn't stop there, continuing down the superjumbo's aisles with his latest version of the Skybed business class seat...
... as well as the all-new premium economy seating...
... economy class...
... and the A380's self-serve snack bar.
When you're served an inflight meal it'll come on Newson-designed Noritake china...
... including this elegant little tea set...
... while in economy, the meals come on a Newson tray.
Newson also created special flatware which is used both in flight and at the lounges.
Marc Newson's most recent work with Qantas has been on the new Airbus A330 Business Suite, which will make its debut at the end of this year on domestic and international routes.
Read: Qantas Business Suite: up close with Qantas' next-gen business class
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
03 Jan 2012
Total posts 96
I wonder which bit of the $billions shortfall for Qantas shareholders is down to this bloke. To be honest, I could have done a better job on this "design" milarky. After all, how hard can it be desinging knifes and forks?
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
People will complain about everything. Evidently it is as easy to design knives and forks as it is to complain.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2014
Total posts 19
I have been quietly complaining (suffering) those rediculously oversized frisbee baggage tags since their introduction. They affect the balance of laptop bag when sitting on a roller bag, they jut out and get in the way when on a shoulder bag. They are heavy, ugly, annoying!!! Thanks Marc, pfft!
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
Why are you even attaching those tags to your hand carry? You do realise those are intended for checked baggage?
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
And at the end of the day no one is forcing you to "quietly suffer" those tags. Don't like them, don't use them. Crisis averted.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 204
It's best not to be dismissive of something if you don't fully understand the intricacies and complexities involved therein...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2204
"How hard can it be?" - Jeremy Clarkson
If it's so easy to design a fork and knife, then I would like to see if 521303 can explain why Marc Newson designed the cutlery to have that sort of fluted handle. Bonus marks for explaining why the economy teacup has a cantilevered handle.
There is design genius at work, but clearly not everyone appreciates it.
19 May 2014
Total posts 40
So true 521097
Its tastless and kitsch
I have better design on air algeria recently.
good riddance
12 Mar 2014
Total posts 43
What's he going to Apple for, design their new canteen?
People are allowed to complain, without complaints we would still be driving "death traps"
22 Jul 2011
Total posts 96
You may want to check out his website, he is one of the more diverse designers out there.
Shame that lots of Aussies flying Qantas don't even know/appreciate Newson's designs.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1027
Because many of Marc Newson's designs, like Peter Morrissey's, suffer one simple issue.
Not Fit For Purpose.
01 Feb 2012
Total posts 370
I like good design but some of his designs are just not practical.
Tea cups have always curved one way for a reason. QF J teacups for some reason curve the other, which somehow results in a lot of tea dripping onto my clothes. Looks nice but kinda dumb.
22 Jul 2011
Total posts 96
Do you care to give examples? Peter Morrissey is a fashion designer, so by default they are fit for purpose.
Re Marc Newson, I completely agree with @gippsflyer in that the coffee cup is a fail, but that's a pretty good track record
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1027
Morrissey designed the new Woolworths uniforms. They are extremely uncomfortable to move around and actually do any work in.
22 Jul 2011
Total posts 96
Fair enough, but no need to drag MN into that!
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1245
Some people would assert that complaining about defective vehicles is quite different to complaining about the aesthetics of cutlery and flatware.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jan 2013
Total posts 698
I like most of Newson's design, but do curse his choice of coffee cup for Business. That inwards sloping design means it's extremely prone to leaking when drinking.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2204
That cup would be much funnier if he came to Qantas from Apple. It would still be bright white, still be very much form over function and would probably be called the iCup.
03 Jan 2012
Total posts 96
Watson, here's a funny thing about the knives and forks. My old dad - a WWII vet had several "fluted" sets that were very similar to the MN design. They all nested together so you could carry them as a single unit, and were made of aluminium so very light. Each utensil had a little Swastica/Eagle design stamped on it as evidently they'd been used by the Africa Corps in Tunisia. Now, they were a very functional and clever design and perfect to take on camping trips (which is when I used to see them every year). Could it be that those German Army flatware were the inspiration for Mark Newsons fluted cutlery design? I've no idea. Don't get me wrong. I like the MN dsigned stuff he's done for Qantas. I just reckon Qantas could have got better value as it really doesn't take a "genius".
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 466
You and Watson should write a book 12 lines...really.
22 Jul 2011
Total posts 96
Doesn't take a genius... Well lucky for Qantas that's what they've got.
US press: "Marc Newson, the renowned industrial designer is joining Apple. The news is about as big of a deal as it gets in the design world. It means that Apple will now officially have two of the world’s best-known and most influential designers working together on future product..."
12 Mar 2014
Total posts 43
Hi Robert, welcome back and good hear your comments.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 466
Viscount,
Once again good to here from you.I will allways keep my comments to the point and pehaps more so to the subject.While the editorial and suspencion policy at ABT is fine i trust booth David and Chris make it uniform.Speach is for all.
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