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Something of an icon
Design is a constantly evolving subject with pieces often a representation of the time period that they were conceived in.
However what makes a piece iconic is when the design lives on years after its conceptualisation, blending effortlessly in any period.
The Design Guild Mark recognises excellence in British design and innovation, but nowhere does it say that the piece has be a ‘new’ innovative design
Over the past few years we have begun to see an increasing number of ‘timeless classics’ being put forward for the Design Guild Mark, which is something we welcome.
Here are six of our favourite legendary pieces that have been awarded a Design Guild Mark.
The Antelope Chair by Ernest Race
The Antelope Chair first designed in 1951 for the ‘Festival of Britian’ was selected as the chair for the Festival site, with Gordon Russell, chair of the selection judges, believing Race’s designs ‘miles ahead’ of his contemporaries. If that wasn’t enough, it won a silver medal at the Tenth Trienalle furniture fair in Milan, making it an internationally recognised icon.
Multidrawer by Freddie Brown
It was the rapid growth of colourful plastic letter trays through the 1950s and 60s which became the inspiration for the original Bisley Multidrawer cabinets. Freddie Brown thought that he could produce a product that achieved the same storage capability but was more durable. This was quickly adopted by Ryman Conran – as it was then – who added them to their ‘Colourways’ product portfolio and featured them in their fantastic window displays.
Poly Side Chair by Robin Day
A classroom classic, the Poly Side Chair was designed for Hille by Robin Day and was a worldwide success from the moment it was launched in 1963 selling hundreds of thousands of units over the years. The Poly Side Chair has now been relaunched featuring the original P5 frame and is available in a range of exciting colours.
675 Chair by Robin Day
A design that has truly stood the test of time, the 675 chair is one of the most recognised of the 20th Century. Originally created in 1952, the chair’s most prominent feature is its curved walnut-veneered plywood back. Pioneering at the time, Robin Day overcame the difficulty of forming a single moulded plywood chair with armrests, by creating a fluid shape using a singular curve.
T1 Chair by Rodney Kinsman
Designed in 1967, the Bauhaus inspired T1 Chair was selected by Sir Terence Conran for his Habitat store and quickly became one of their most popular models. The frame is made from chrome-plated tubular steel, making it extremely strong and lightweight. The sling is handmade in Italy from coach hide leather and available in black or brown.
Poly Armchair by Robin Day
Following on from the international success of the Poly Side Chair, Robin Day designed a Polypropylene Armchair that would offer greater comfort in situations such as public waiting areas. The wider shell is strengthened by ribs on the underside, and by rolled edges which also serve to conceal the fixings when the chair is viewed from the front.
Let us know which iconic pieces you think should be awarded a Design Guild Mark on Instagram (@DesignGuildMark) and Twitter (@DesignGuildMark) and remember to use the hashtag #DesignGuildMark.
Don’t forget, the early bird deadline for submissions is 29 November, so start thinking about which pieces you’ll be putting forward for judging in 2019.