To be considered a ‘hero of design’ would be a feat for any designer regardless of geographical location, to be considered one coming from Australia would solidify your name in design history. With a lack of notable designers coming from a land with is seen to be somewhat backwards in their contribution to design making a name for yourself and placing yourself next to design royalty would truly be amazing. Sadly this is not the case for Marc Newson, to many a name that has been taken away from many amazing and great designs only to be replaced by a brand. Marc Newson was born on the 20th of October 1963 in Sydney Australia. In 1984 he graduated from the Sydney College of Arts, specialising in Jewellery and creating sculptures. Newson has worked on many things in the design world that have been seen such as the Qantas Airbed (pictured below) [1] which went on to win the 2009 Australian International Design Award of the Year. Although Newson has many credentials he can be considered a lost hero of Australian design due to the fact that he doesn’t put his name on his designs as the companies that he designs for put their branding on it. Newson has worked for a plethora companies from ford to Louis Vuitton on a collaborative set of luggage cases (pictured below) [2] to Nike, creating collaborative designs and limited edition pieces that are well sought after and extremely rare to collectors as well as admired by the general public.
Although in the design industry Marc Newson is a name that is well respected, outside of the industry it is a name that majority of people have never heard of although in many cases people may use his designs every single day. This is a classic case of the identity of the artist being stripped away by a major brand. Although Newson is often contracted to work for the brand and add his unique and extremely sought after flare to works for the benefit of companies often there is no reference to him, ultimately stripping away his image from every piece. Although Elements of Newson’s style such as sweeping edges is often incorporated in a lot of his designs his flare has been copied by many.
From the streets of Sydney to travelling to the major design cities of the world such as Japan, America, England and Paris, Newson has really made a name for himself and to other designers is one of the fathers of modern design. With major brands knocking at his doorstep his flare has impacted many other designers and somewhat paved the way to push forward a new wave of innovation in the ever expanding industry. Undoubtedly creating as platform for emerging designers. Newson has created a quote which has been adapted by designers which is “I think it’s really important to design things with a kind of personality.” [3]. Newson’s personality definitely influences his design and helps create his image. Newson has found a way to incorporate his feelings and personality into the creation of products, however nobody but himself will know that. In the reading A Geography of Power: Design History and Marginality written by Tony Fry he states that “Australia has no major designer heroes of international standing, no outstanding design institutions.” [4] This was written in 1989 however helps reinforce that Newson’s personal stamp that he has left on design is is unnoticed which can help show that he is a ‘forgotten hero’
There is no doubt that Newson has had a massive positive impact in the design world. For someone who has worked with so many big brands from Nike to Louis Vuitton to Qantas he really has found a way to pave his way and cement his legacy. However at the same time he is a forgotten hero of design. This may not be the case when it comes to designers but for members of the general public who use his products on an everyday basis Newson could really be seen as a ‘forgotten hero’. His image being stripped away every single day without knowing by millions of users who consume his product. Newson could easily become an unforgotten hero by simply adding a touch such as a signature or a logo and that would be enough. Maybe part of Newson’s flare is that he is unknown and that his products just blend into everyday life, after all is that what successful design is all about?
1.http://marc-newson.com/qantas-a380/ Accessed 1/4/19
2. http://marc-newson.com/rolling-luggage/ Accessed 1/4/19
3. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/marc_newson_278940 Accessed 2/4/19
4. A Geography of Power: Design History and Marginality, Tony Fry, 1989 Accessed 2/4/19
Design Ideas 