Designer Marc Newson is joining Apple as part of senior vice president of design Jonathan Ive’s team, the company told VF Daily on Friday.
Newson, who will continue to be based in the United Kingdom, will be an employee of Apple, and will be frequently traveling to the company’s Cupertino, California, headquarters. The industrial designer has had his work archived by MoMA, and has been commissioned by Ford, Nike, and Qantas Airways, among others.
Ive and Newson, who have been close friends for years, have been spending time together over the past year. During that time, they have also worked on some designs for Apple.
“Marc is without question one of the most influential designers of this generation,” Ive said in a statement provided to VF Daily. “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.”
The pair previously collaborated on U2 singer Bono’s (RED) auction in November, which raised $26.2 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS in Africa. Ive and Newson curated a collection of items, many of which they made themselves.
“I’m full of admiration and respect for the extraordinary design work that has been produced by Jony and the team at Apple,” Newson said. “My close friendship with Jony has not only given me a unique insight into that process, but the opportunity to work together with him and the people that have been responsible. I am enormously proud to join them.”
Newson’s hire comes amid something of staffing up by Apple. The company recently acquired Beats Music, founded by music industry pioneers Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. Tech-industry observers characterized that move as underscoring the value of tastemakers. Other recent hires by the company include Angela Ahrendts, a former Burberry C.E.O., Yves Saint Laurent’s Paul Deneve, and Nike’s Ben Shaffer.
The company declined to comment when asked if Newson—who will continue to work on projects outside of the company as well—is involved with plans for an anticipated smart watch. Apple has scheduled a launch event for September 9, at which it is expected to unveil the iPhone 6.
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