The Design Guild Mark Awards, now in their eighth year, have been announced for a total of 21 award recipients

The Design Guild Mark Awards promote excellence and raise the profile of British design and innovation. They recognise and reward designers working in Britain or British Designers working abroad. The award demands the highest standards in the design of furniture for volume production.

Alexander Gifford, Chairman of the Design Guild Mark commented

“This year saw another record number of entries being held to some very high standards by a judging panel that increasingly represents diverse parts of the furniture industry. The entries were equally diverse, from contract to retail, from residential to hospitality and workplace, as were the applicants themselves. Chairing the judging process was a great honour, and watching the great minds in our industry critique the great output of British design was a real pleasure.”

 

Frame Sofa & Chair Collection Designed by Ian Archer | Distributed by Archer and Company DGM 123

Radius Range Designed by Simon Pengelly | Distributed by Habitat  DGM 124

Balance Coffee Table Designed by Sir Terence Conran | Distributed by Content by Terence Conran  DGM 125

TIMBA Table Designed by PearsonLloyd | Distributed by Bene  DGM 126

Kerning Bookcase Collection Designed by Samuel Chan | Distributed by Channels DGM 127

Kerning Cabinet Collection Designed by Samuel Chan | Distributed by Channels DGM 128

Cross Leg Chair Designed by *Magnus Long | Distributed by The Conran Shop  DGM 129

 STIX Table Collection Designed by Magnus Long | Distributed by The Conran Shop  DGM 130

The Cubrick Cabinet Designed by Cairn Young & Ian Spencer | DGM 131

HenRay Designed by Henry Gurney | Distributed by Ocee Design DGM 132

Pollyfox Bench Designed by Henry Swanzy | Distributed by Henry Swanzy Limited DGM 133

Pollyfox Trestle Table Designed by Henry Swanzy | Distributed by Henry Swanzy Limited DGM 134

Svelto Round Stacking Stool Designed by Lisa Sandall | Distributed by Ercol Furniture DGM 135

Flite Compact Modular Seating Designed by Rodney Kinsman RDI | Distributed by OMK Design DGM 136

OMSTAK Stacking Chair Designed by Rodney Kinsman RDI | Distributed by OMK Design DGM 137

675 Chair Designed by Robin Day (d.2010) | Distributed by Case Furniture DGM 138

CoCo Designed by Mark Gabbertas | Distributed by Oasiq DGM 139

Loki Designed by Charlie Fowler | Distributed by John Lewis DGM 140

Edge Designed by PearsonLloyd | Distributed by Modus Furniture DGM 141

Poon Desk Designed by Simon Pirie and Tony Portus | Distributed by Makers’ Eye DGM 142

BA3 Side and Armchair Designed by Ernest Race (d.1964) | Distributed by Race Furniture DGM 143

 

*The Jonathan Hindle Prize was awarded to Magnus Long for the Cross Leg Chair

 

The Design Guild Mark is judged by a panel of leading industry professionals. Each member of the panel is from the furniture, hospitality, commercial, retail or media industry. Judges must ensure that each piece of furniture meets the criteria of: excellence in design, materials, manufacture and function.

Chaired by Alexander Gifford this year’s eminent judging panel were:

Simon Alderson – twentytwentyone                                 

Joanna Biggs – GA Design                                            

Rosa Bertoli – Wallpaper*                                          

Sebastian Conran – Sebastian Conran Associates                

Diana Monkhouse – Aukett Swanke    

Jeremy Myerson – Royal College of Art   

Philippa Prinsloo – John Lewis

Pernille Stafford  Resonate Interiors  

 

All judges with an interest in an entry stood aside when that entry was being considered.

 

Comments from the judging panel:

 

Simon Alderson, Co-founder of twentytwentyone:

“The judging of this year’s Design Guild Mark was involved and stimulating. The breadth of designs exposed specialist expertise within the group of judges, and provided for an invigorating day. At times contentious, the decision making was by no means straight forward. However, the quality was extremely high and the work of designers and manufacturers is positively lauded through the Design Guild Mark. The awards will no doubt reflect the enduring pedigree of British design.”

                                                

Rosa Bertoli, Design Editor for Wallpaper*:                                  

“Judging the Design Guild Mark is an incredible opportunity that allows us judges to really get close to a great variety of designs, explore their construction in detail and test them first-hand. The range of works presented this year offered a panoramic view of British design, representing both a refined creativity and great manufacturing standards.”

 

Sebastian Conran, Founder and Director of Sebastian Conran Associates:          

“It was good to see that British furniture design is doing such discerning design well, and is supported by the Company. Judging is a very thought provoking task that calls many issues into question; tangible things are easy to discuss, but it is the intangibles which are really important and often the most difficult to decide upon.”

 

Diana Monkhouse, Senior Associate of Aukett Swanke:    

“Yet another year of outstanding contributions to the British furniture industry by talented, enthusiastic and accomplished designers. Often difficult but always keenly debated by the judges, the Design Guild Mark really does represent the ‘very best of British!”

 

Jeremy Myerson, Director and Chair of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art:

“Design excellence is an elusive quality but the Design Guild Mark judging session takes us to the ideas, the pieces and the designers who are capable of achieving it.”

 

Philippa Prinsloo, Head of Design for John Lewis Partnership:  

“It was a privilege to be a part of the selection process at the Design Guild Mark this year and observe the rigorous process and healthy debate that takes place to build up this prestigious archive of British design.”
Pernille Stafford, Managing Director of Resonate Interiors:

“The Design Guild Mark submissions this year were, as always, an eclectic and exciting mix of clever design and manufacturing processes. It is always a real privilege to see the range of styles and attention to detail and be involved in selecting exceptional work for an award.”

 

 

Back to News