The Furniture Makers’ Company Announces Design Guild Mark 2022 Holders
Innovation of materials and creativity remain at the forefront of British design as 23 outstanding submissions from three categories are to be awarded the coveted Design Guild Mark in 2022.
The Design Guild Mark is awarded by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, to drive excellence and raise the profile of British design and innovation. It recognises the highest standards in the design of furnishings in volume production across three categories – Furniture, 2D Design, and Lighting Design. The award is open to designers working in Britain or British designers working abroad.
Each distinct category has its own jury of renowned design experts who assess the submissions against a series of criteria, including: Are the materials appropriate? Are they from sustainable sources? Does the piece/collection show new thinking? Does it solve a problem?
The winning designers – some newcomers as well as previous holders – will be celebrated at a special awards ceremony on 24 May. The awarded designs – representing the domestic and contract markets – will benefit from increased industry and consumer awareness, press and social media coverage, with the designers and companies behind them also receiving enhanced brand recognition.
In addition to honouring the winners, the ceremony will include the announcement of winners of the Jonathan Hindle Prize. This additional award is presented to the most outstanding of the year’s Design Guild Mark awarded pieces and each recipient will receive a stunning trophy and a cash prize.
“The judging days are busy and intense, but it is always fascinating to learn how designers have developed their ideas and to witness their pride and excitement. The judges’ knowledge and questions are endlessly thought provoking and it is a design masterclass for me, and to be able to do it in person this year was a real privilege.”
— Rodney McMahon, chairman of the Design Guild Mark, commented
Furniture
- Your Move DGM 261
Designed by Jon Christie for Flip the Script Furniture
- Kaya DGM 262
Designed by Morgan Studio for Morgan - Smalto Low Table DGM 263
Designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for Knoll - Fourfold DGM 264
Designed by Barry Jenkins for Ocee International - Buddy DGM 265
Designed by Chris Fowler for Bisley - Sepal DGM 266
Designed by Mark Gabbertas for Gloster Furniture - Saranac DGM 267
Designed by Mark Gabbertas for Gloster Furniture - Heritage DGM 268
Designed by Dylan Freeth for Ercol
- Eva DGM 269
Designed by Phidias Leonida for NURUS - PORTS DGM 270
Designed by Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson for Bene - The Davenport Bureau DGM 271
Designed by David Irwin for Another Country - Bowater Collection – Cable Shop Stool (kit) DGM 272
Designed by Jan Hendzel for Jan Hendzel Studio - The Somerset Four Poster DGM 273
Designed by Garry Smith for The Cornish Bed Company - The Tetbury DGM 274
Designed by Garry Smith for The Cornish Bed Company
TEXTILES, WALL COVERINGS, SURFACES, CARPETS & FLOOR COVERINGS
- ‘All Tomorrow’s Futures’ Textured Linen Blend DGM 275
Designed by Charlotte Raffo and Alexis Snell for The Monkey Puzzle Tree - Quest DGM 276
Designed by Jane Marks-Yewdall for Camira - Swell DGM 277
Designed by Jones & Partners for The Collective Agency - Northward Bound Carpet Tiles DGM 278
Designed by the Milliken Design Team for Milliken Industrials
LIGHTING
- Hotaru DGM 279
Designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for Ozeki Lantern Company - Joseph Collection DGM 280
Designed by Michael Young for EOQ - Melina DGM 281
Designed by Yasuyuki Sakurai & Risa Sano for Hand & Eye Studio - FULL STOP DGM 282
Designed by Derek Treadwell for Innermost - Evedal DGM 283
Designed by Aaron Probyn for IKEA
The Design Guild Mark is judged by a panel of leading industry professionals. Each member of the panel is from the furniture, lighting, hospitality, commercial, retail, or media industry. Judges must ensure that each submission meets the criteria of excellence in design, materials, manufacture, and function.
Chaired by Rodney McMahon, this year’s eminent judging panel were:
FURNITURE
- Joanna Biggs – Director at GA Design
- Elliott Koehler – Creative Director at JPA Design
- Lucy Kurrein – Furniture Designer for Lucy Kurrein
- Tom Pearce – Co-founder of Farrah & Pearce
- Campbell Thompson – Head of Furniture and Lighting at The Conran Shop
TEXTILES, WALL COVERINGS, SURFACES, CARPETS, & FLOORCOVERINGS
- Linzi Coppick – Design Director at Forme UK
- Daniel Hopwood – Director at Studio Hopwood
- Clare Johnston – Emeritus Professor at the Royal College of Art and Textile Designer for Fashion and Interiors at Royal College of Art
- Natasha Marshall – Designer and Founder of Natasha Marshall Limited
- Emma Sewell – Textile Designer at Wallace Sewell
- Peter Thwaites – Design Director at Rapture and Wright
LIGHTING
- Simon Alderson – Co-founder of twentytwentyone
- Tim Rundle – Industrial Designer and Founder of Tim Rundle Studio
- John Tree – Designer at Jasper Morrison
All judges with an interest in an entry stood aside when that entry was being considered.
Comments from the judging panel:
Elliott Koehler, JPA Design:
“Resuming the in-person event this year was such a rewarding experience for all. Products are meant to be touched and evaluated in a physical space. There were some standout designs that were innovative combinations of craft and manufacturing excellence, as well as formats which have grown in our post-pandemic world. Always an inspiring day and a delight to see the benchmark of the award bestowed on the very best products of the year.”
Clare Johnston, Royal College of Art:
“I believe that an important aspect of the Design Guild Mark 2D category is that it has brought to light and given visibility to some of the incredibly inventive and talented UK designers in a field that is often less known by designers in other disciplines and the public. Exposure is frequently focused on brand or product designer, whereas this award directly acknowledges the inventor of the material or surface designer. As awareness of this award grows, we hope we will see many more applications demonstrating design excellence and brave innovation.”
Emma Sewell, Wallace Sewell:
“I really enjoyed my first judging session for the Design Guild Mark. It was fascinating to be part of a diverse group of judges, with such varying points of view on the entries and the lively discussion involved in coming to a decision.”
Simon Alderson, twentytwentyone:
“The lighting shortlist was diverse by materiality and form. The manufacture was very international and employed varied processes. However, all ingredients were bound by UK-based creativity. Enlightening presentations made for a highly stimulating evaluations by the judges.”
John Tree, Jasper Morrison:
“The high quality of entries to the Lighting Design category this year made the judging both incredibly rewarding and challenging!”
Tim Rundle, Tim Rundle Studio:
“The incredibly high standard of entries this year, including some sure future classics, shows that the Design Guild Mark lighting award is shaping up to be a true mark of distinction”.