Dan Makoski (pictured), the head of design for Google’s Project Ara modular smartphone effort, is heading for a new position as VP of design with US bank Capital One.

In a blog, Makoski said the initial focus of the new job is mobile commerce and payments.

He also anticipated surprise from some at his move: “Yes, you heard right. The bank with the ‘What’s in your wallet?’ Samuel L. Jackson ads. And I don’t blame you if you’re like a few of my colleagues who think I’m a bit insane to leave one of the world’s most admired tech companies for a bank.”

However, he explained: “There are few spaces as ripe for technology and human-inspired re-imagination as how people relate to their money.” In addition, he said the bank has been growing its interest in design.

However, Makoski was short on details. “I’m going to let the work speak for itself”.

The Ara project is being led by Motorola’s Advanced Technology and Products (ATAP) group. This unit is being kept by Google when the sale of the bulk of Motorola Mobility to Lenovo goes ahead.

Despite his departure, Makoski still waxed lyrical about Ara: “The ‘consumer’ electronics world is barely aware of what’s about to hit them.”