Marc Newson is working on a secret Apple project, but only part-time

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Industrial Designer Marc Newson,
Industrial Designer Marc Newson,
Photo: Cult of Mac file

Apple’s new design guru Marc Newson has barely been at Apple for nearly a month now, but that’s not going to stop him from also working on his own designs – like a fabulous new way to pour yourself a draft beer at home.

Marc unveiled his revolutionary new beer machine today in partnership with Heineken, but in an interview with Deezer, the famed designer also talked publicly for the first time about his new role at Apple, stating the position will only be part-time and he’ll still be based out of the U.K.

What Marc’s actually doing at Apple though is still a mystery. Apple’s PR handler wouldn’t let him comment on whether he had a hand in the Apple Watch’s design, and speculation on what he’s working on with Jony was quickly shot down. Whatever Apple does throw at him though, Marc said he can handle it, because “there isn’t really a big difference between designing a watch or a car or even a machine that pours beer.”

Check out the full interview transcript below:

Amy Frearson: Marc it seems like you’ve had a go at designing just about everything – is there anything else you haven’t designed that you’d like to try?

Marc Newson: I always get asked that question and always struggle to find an answer to that. You know, I don’t really have a checklist of objects. I’m really happy to design anything because, fundamentally, for me . These are all on some level mechanical bits of engineering that differ only in the materials that they’re made from and the scale. All of these objects have really specific requirements and you’ve just kind of got to understand that and then it becomes a problem-solving exercise.

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.

Amy Frearson: Maybe I could ask you another question. With your background in watch design, can you tell me what you think is the future of the traditional watch?

Marc Newson: There will always be a place for mechanical watches. Apart from telling the time – which is all they do – they’re about something completely different. You know, I think that the mechanical watch industry will continue to exist in much the same way as it does right now. To be honest I’m not really intimately aware of what’s happening with the world of mechanical watches right now.

Source: Deezer

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