Designer Marc Newson also has barbs for the design industry, according to an interview he did with Dezeen:
“‘Frankly speaking, the design industry is really pathetic in terms of how it approaches manufacturing and how it brings things to market. I’m not talking about Apple, I’m talking about furniture designers and what happens during the Milan fair,’ he said. ‘If they took note of the way that the fashion world brings things to market, with such extraordinary efficiency, they could learn an enormous amount.'”
Newson is one of the many designers during Milan’s Design Week who was outspoken about what ails design today. He seems to be upset that the the fashion world “laughs at” industrial designers. They do not make us look good, apparently.
Newson attacks the Segway two-wheeler for making its rider “look like a complete dick” when riding and Google Glass for making the wearer look like “a bit of an idiot.” Of course, this happens to coincide with the launch of his range of glasses for Safilo. He is seen wearing one above.
Maybe the Australian, London-based designer is trying to cozy up to the fashion world.
“I’m not embarrassed or reluctant that it be perceived as a fashionable item because at the end of the day I’m a consumer. I’ve got to go out and feel happy about putting my hand in my pocket and spending money on this stuff. I don’t want to look like an idiot.”
His judgments are a tad harsh and not all that relevant. It is one thing to market a cashmere sweater or an Apple iPhone, quite another to do the same for dining room set with six chairs. At that point the entire marketing strategy changes, becoming heavily biased towards high shipping costs and relatively low physical exposure. And if the styling is for a limited audience, the marketing becomes even more specific. Much of the best of the design world is still rarified and boutique and will remain that way for some time, at least until we can get a sofa to walk the runway.
Garth Clark is the Chief Editor of CFile.
Above image: Marc Newson wearing one of his eyeglass designs for Safilo.
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We decided to look at Newson’s recent ceramic design and came up with two examples: a bath tub and a dinner service. Neither was that impressive. To be fair, he did design S.F. (SciFi) for Cor Unum, one of the iconic vases of the 90’s shown above. However, that was the 20th century when he was taking risks and creating other iconic works like the Lockheed Lounger Chair in 1988. Also, his concept jet Kelvin 40 for 2008 is an interesting juxtaposition against the vase. Since then Newson has become increasingly safe and institutional.
In 2006, Qantas Airways of Australia appointed Newson to redesign the interior of the company’s international fleet. This included the dinnerware, for which Noritake has been the airline’s supplier.
While handsome in some ways, it’s ultimately boring; Newson is basically tweaking a standard design that has made thousands of appearances in the last 60 to 70 years. But there are little touches, nuances that I liked, such as the square look offset with an angular dip. The mouth of the teapot is elegantly pursed and articulated. But the flat disk lid is a loser. It looks good in a photo shoot but as we all know it functions poorly, is difficult to grip and burns fingers.
Newson’s bathroom is set for Caroma, proud to be Australia’s only manufacturer of sanitary ware. The bathtub that resembles a potbellied pig with black feet is also handsome (interesting how that word comes up again). But it’s the one great piece; plump, sold, and inviting. The handbasin and the rest of the elements range from dull to ugly. The faucet rising from the floor is nice idea if the tub does not have its back to a wall. It is just not as good as the best of contemporary bathroom design coming from the Italian factories that are reaching a fever pitch of invention. Compare Newson’s set with the bathrooms by Jamie Hayon and Marcel Wanders in the companion posts.
Read Newson’s full interview with Dezeen
Visit Newson’s bathroom collection
Visit Newson’s dinner collection
Read “Editorial | Milan Reveals Cracks in the Design Bowl”
Read “Design | Failing the Gender Equality Test”
Read “Design | Marcel Wanders: Cracks in the Design Bowl”
Read “Design | Jamie Hayon: Cracks in the Design Bowl”
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