Marc Newson is a former silversmith and self-taught architect and designer from Australia, quickly becoming known as a maverick in contemporary design. He recently published a book on his work, Marc Newson (London: Booth-Clibborn, 1999) and over the last few years has appeared in numerous European and American magazines such as Blueprint, Domus, and Time. His honors include a 1999 George Nelson Design Award for innovative design and pieces at New York's Museum of Modern Art, Paris' Musée Des Arts Décoratifs, London's Design Museum, and Berlin's Vitra Museum. His designs are widespread. One may relax in an Embryo Chair (Cappellini, 1999) while drinking from a Newson-designed drinking glass (Iitala, 1999). Other projects include an automobile, restaurants, a private jet interior, a bicycle, a drain stopper, a toilet-roll holder, a bottle opener, coat hangers, and watches. No job is too large or too mundane for Newson, whose interest in designing everything stems from a desire to learn how things work.