 |
Wednesday, 14 November 2007 | Levent OZLER
David Gentleman wins Prince Philip Designers Prize 2007
The distinguished artist-designer who has made a distinctive and lasting contribution to the UK's visual culture over five decades, was today awarded the Prince Philip Designers Prize 2007.
He was presented with the award, which recognises outstanding lifetime achievement in design, by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony held at The Sage Gateshead to coincide with the Design Council's Designs of the time 07 (Dott 07) festival.
In a career spanning some 50 years, Gentleman has welded art and design, dedicating his gifts in painting, drawing and lithography to the creation of accessible and durable designs. From classic Penguin book covers and best-selling travel books to hard-hitting environmental and anti-war campaign posters and the brand identities of some of the UK's best known institutions, his work has ranged across a wide area and greatly different scales.
He is perhaps best known, however, as our most brilliant and prolific stamp designer, having created over 100 published stamps since 1963.
David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council, said: 'The lives of most of us, whether we realise it or not, have been touched by David's work. From his many stamp designs, in which he gradually transformed the way the Queen appears, to his timeless corporate logos for companies such as British Steel and the famous Eleanor Cross mural at Charing Cross underground station, David Gentleman's designs have both shaped and exemplified changing design trends.'
Jonathan Ive, one of the most influential designer of his generation, received a Special Commendation for his innovative work for Apple, including the 100-million selling iPod. Ive's iconic designs, which helped rescue the then-ailing company, are a shining example of what can be achieved when design goes right to the heart of a business.
Robin Levien RDI, who has for 30 years been a standard bearer for innovative product design, especially in the field of ceramics, also received a Special Commendation. The hallmarks of his work are beauty, function and affordability, traits exemplified by the fact that 15 per cent of all bathroom suites sold in the UK are designed by Levien and Dave Tilbury.
The other nominees for the Prize were architect David Chipperfield CBE RDI, winner of this year's Stirling Prize, fashion designer Shelley Fox and furniture designer Ron Arad.
The UK's longest-running annual design prize, the Prince Philip Designers Prize has been in existence since the early days of the Design Council in the 1950s. It aims to reward those designers who have made a significant contribution to building Britain's worldwide design reputation. The winning designer was chosen by a selection panel chaired by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
Former winners of the Prize include interdisciplinary virtuoso Thomas Heatherwick RDI (2006); the architect Lord Foster of Thamesbank (2004); Habitat founder Sir Terence Conran (2003); Pentagram founder Kenneth Grange (2000) and inventor James Dyson (1997).
|
|
|
