This year’s Design Guild Mark holders have been revealed – 12 designs, catering for both the domestic and contract furniture markets, have been awarded the prestigious accolade …
Celebrating a diverse range of eye-catching and functional pieces, The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Design Guild Mark serves as a timely reminder of the strengths of British design.
Now in its 10th year, the mark was developed to recognise the highest design standards in volume production by some of the best designers working in Britain, or those British designers working abroad, and saw the addition of 12 worthy recipients this year.
The competition is judged by a panel of industry professionals hailing from the furniture, hospitality, commercial, retail and media sectors. Chaired by Rodney McMahon, this year’s panel comprised: Simon Alderson, twentytwentyone; Tom Pearce, Sebastian Conran Associates; Joanna Biggs, GA Design; Philippa Prinsloo, John Lewis; Rosa Bertoli, Wallpaper* Magazine; Pernille Stafford, Resonate Interiors; Barbara Chandler, The Evening Standard; Campbell Thompson, The Conran Shop; Rodney Kinsma, OMK Design; and industrial designer Terence Woodgate.
They were tasked with ensuring that each piece of furniture met the criteria of excellence in design, materials, manufacture and function.
Tom Pearce, creative director at Sebastian Conran Associates, comments: “The standard in design, thinking and making of this year’s Design Guild Mark was not only hugely inspiring, but left me feeling proud of our British furniture industry. The critique of the submissions by the panel was tough, so the awards are well deserved, and highlight that the level of design excellence is getting higher each year.”
Simon Alderson, co-founder of twentytwentyone, adds: “The quality and diversity of the 2018 applicants for a Design Guild Mark provided for a wholly stimulating range of presentations. It was interesting to consider the longevity of historic designs alongside the contemporary.”
Campbell Thompson, head of furniture & lighting at The Conran Shop, says: “The Design Guild Mark is a fantastic way to recognise design talent from the UK. It was great to see the diversity and quality of submissions and to hear the stories behind the designs and journey to final product.”
This year’s award recipients in full:
The Hugo Settee, designed by Ian Archer and manufactured by Sits
Aphelion Console, designed by Byron and Gómez for Benchmark
Mozaik, designed by Mark Gabbertas for Allermuir
Axyl, designed by Benjamin Hubert of Layer for Allermuir
Thinking Quietly, designed by Jones & Partners for Thinking Works
Magnetic Copper Cube, designed by Paul Kelley for Paul Kelley Ltd
T1 Chair, designed by Rodney Kinsman RDI for OMK 1965
Manta, designed by Lyndon by Boss Design
Group, designed by Philippe Malouin for SCP
Famiglia, designed by PearsonLloyd for Allermuir
Edge Executive Desk, designed by PearsonLloyd for Modus Furniture
Race Antelope Chair, designed by Ernest Race for Race Furniture
