As the end of another year approaches, we thought we’d reflect on some of the highlights from 2022, while thanking all the people and third parties that continue to help us celebrate the fine work of the British design sector.
We started the year off strong, collaborating with major trade exhibition Surface Design Show by facilitating a seminar at the February event.
Sustainability was on the agenda as Design Guild Mark judge Natasha Marshall and multiple award-winner Mark Gabbertas headlined a seminar on the subject, exploring its significance within their own design practices.
During the 30-minute session, Mark and Natasha spoke about how design and integrity inspire their choices from material sourcing, to manufacture, to longevity, with Mark asking Natasha questions on the subject. You can read more about this here.
In early spring, we were delighted to return to the live judging sessions. The in-person judging days are what makes the Design Guild Mark unique as an award programme as it brings together exceptional products and their designer in front of our distinguished panel of judges for review. It’s at these sessions that our eminent juries get to inspect, feel and try out the pieces before meeting and questioning the creative team or single designer who conceptualised the design.
Elliott Koehler, head of design at Allermuir – The Senator Group, Furniture category judge, said: “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.”
In May, during Clerkenwell Design Week, we came together to celebrate the 23 designs awarded the prestigious Mark in the Furniture, Interior Design Element and Lighting Design categories for 2023.
During the ceremony, which was kindly hosted at the Senator Allermuir showroom, we announced the winners of this year’s Jonathan Hindle Prize, awarded to the most outstanding design in each category.
The winners of the prize were Fourfold (DGM 264), designed by Barry Jenkins for Ocee International; Swell (DGM 277), designed by Jones & Partners for The Collective Agency; and Hotaru (DGM 279), designed by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby for Ozeki Lantern Company.
Over summer, the Design Guild Mark committee were hard at work supporting the development of a subtle evolution to the DGM brand identity in time for the call for entries launch in September. The logo has been gently refreshed, with a refined D shape, to maintain its link to the former branding. A new shade of yellow has been utilised and the typeface has been rethought.
Commenting on the revamp, Rodney McMahon, Design Guild Mark chairman, said: “This astute refresh is being applied across all platforms and reinforces the very special personality of the Design Guild Mark award programme. We hope that this will drive increased interest and applications.”
What do you think of the rebrand? Let us know your thoughts through social media. Make sure you follow us on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
Finally, if you plan on submitting an entry for next year’s awards, please be advised that final entries for all three categories must be with us by Friday 20 January 2023.
Until then, seasons greetings.
