Innovation of materials and creativity remain at the forefront of British design as 30 submissions from three categories are to be awarded the Design Guild Mark in 2023.
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 industrial design.
The Design Guild Mark is not a competition with a ranking of entries and a winner; instead, the award is given to all designs that demonstrate to the jury that they represent the highest standards of originality and innovation in industrial design. The Design Guild Mark is awarded across three categories: Furniture, Interior Design Elements, and Lighting Design.
The award is open to designers working in Britain or British designers working abroad and entries for all categories can be for designs intended for domestic, office, hospitality, educational or corporate use, and for both interior and exterior environments.
Each distinct category has its own jury of design experts who assess the submissions against a series of criteria, including: does the design demonstrate new and original thinking and problem-solving? Is the design fit for purpose? Does it incorporate innovative manufacturing materials and processes? Does the design develop a brand’s position? Does the design demonstrate a commitment to sustainable consumerism?
The winning designers, some newcomers as well as previous holders, will be celebrated at a special awards ceremony on 23rd 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 the winners of the Jonathan Hindle Prize. This additional award is selected by the judges and 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.
Rodney McMahon, Chairman of the Design Guild Mark said, “meeting the applicants, hearing their design journey, and witnessing the friendly but insightful and probing questions of the judges is an enjoyable design master class. Designers should apply for the Design Guild Mark just for the experience of meeting the judges.”
