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Judges’ comments 2022


Design Guild Mark - June 16, 2022 - 0 comments

Following last year’s virtual judging days, we were delighted to return to what makes the Design Guild Mark unique – bringing together exceptional products and their designer in front of our distinguished panel of judges for review.

Nothing beats the live judging sessions. Our juries get to inspect, feel and test the pieces before meeting and questioning the creative team or single designer who conceptualised the design.

Although it can feel like a daunting experience – the eyes of a group of sector experts and influencers all on you ­– most applicants relish the opportunity to pitch their projects to the judges.

Here are a selection of comments from the judges about the 2022 sessions.

“The Lighting Design 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.”

— Simon Alderson

Co-founder of twentytwentyone

“The incredibly high standard of entries this year, including some sure future classics, shows that the Design Guild Mark Lighting Design award is shaping up to be a true mark of distinction.”

— Tim Rundle

Tim Rundle Design Studio Ltd

“The high quality of entries to the Lighting Design category this year made the judging both incredibly rewarding and challenging.”

— John Tree

Jasper Morrison

“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.”

— Elliott Koehler

Designer at JPA Design

``I believe that an important aspect of the Design Guild Mark 2D Design 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.``

— Clare Johnston

Professor at the Royal College of Art

“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.``

— Emma Sewell

Founder of Wallace Sewell

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