May 28, 2023
The Furniture Makers’ Company announces Design Guild Mark 2023 holders
Innovation of materials and creativity remain at the forefront of British design as 30 outstanding submissions from three categories are to be awarded the coveted 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 unique in that the programme 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 3 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 renowned 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 23 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 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, commented:
“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.”
INTERIOR DESIGN ELEMENTS
The Brutalist Collection DGM 284
Designed by Claire Canning & Lindsey Hesketh for Granite + Smoke
Main Line Twist DGM 285
Designed by Hayley Barrett & Jane Marks-Yewdall for Camira
LIGHTING
Oslin Collection DGM 286
Designed by David Irwin for Luum
The Muse Solid Brass DGM 287
Designed by Tala for Tala
Solid Rechargeable Light DGM 288
Designed by Terence Woodgate for Case Furniture
FURNITURE
Metro DGM 289
Designed by Alex Blondek and Rodney Kinsman for OMK Design
Bilbao DGM 290
Designed by Tim Rundle for Morgan Furniture
Utility Shelf DGM 291
Designed by Rachael Heritage for WOUD A/S
Edge Free DGM 292
Designed by Luke Pearson & Tom Lloyd for Modus Furniture
Omada DGM 293
Designed by Mark Gabbertas for Gloster
Metis DGM 294
Designed by Gabbertas Studio for TrabA
Jump DGM 295
Designed by Gabbertas Studio for TrabA
GEMLA OPEN DGM 296
Designed by Samuel Wilkinson for GEMLA
Ooty DGM 297
Designed by Jack Smith & Gemma Matthias for Allermuir
Bastille DGM 298
Designed by Patrick Norguet for Allermuir
Plum DGM 299
Designed by Mark Gabbertas for Allermuir
Hideaway Wall Desk DGM 300
Designed by Chris Fowler for Bisley (main image)
Hideaway Swing Desk DGM 301
Designed by Chris Fowler for Bisley
Amity Seat DGM 302
Designed by the Gaze Burvill Design Team for Gaze Burvill
Uniun Bench & Planter DGM 303
Designed by Furnitubes for Furnitubes
SYD DGM 304
Designed by Aaron Probyn for Another Country
Tarn DGM 305
Designed by Gemma Matthias for Hitch Mylius
Domus Desk DGM 306
Designed by Matthew Hilton for The Conran Shop
Iris Lounge Chair DGM 307
Designed by Huw Evans for The Conran Shop
Mag Table Collection DGM 308
Designed by Daniel Schofield for The Conran Shop
AD11 Lounge Chair DGM 309
Designed by Huw Evans and Campbell Thompson for The Conran Shop
Cross Task Chair DGM 310
Designed by Pearson Lloyd for TAKT
Marlow Table DGM 311
Designed by Matthew Hilton for Case Furniture
Slot Shelving DGM 312
Designed by Terence Woodgate for Case Furniture
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, textiles or academic industry. Judges 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 Hospitality Interior Design Consultant at Sherliker Biggs
Sarah Bryan Associate Partner at ID:SR, Sheppard Robson’s Interior Design Group
Sheridan Coakley Founder of SCP Limited
Elliott Koehler Creative Director at JPA Design
Tom Pearce Co-founder of Farrah & Pearce
Terence Woodgate Industrial Designer at Studio Woodgate
INTERIOR DESIGN ELEMENTS
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
Corinne Pringle Director at tp bennett
Emma Sewell Textile Designer at Wallace Sewell
Peter Thwaites Design Director at Rapture and Wright
LIGHTING
Simon Alderson Co-founder of twentytwentyone
Simon Terry Owner and Joint Managing Director at Anglepoise
John Tree Designer at Jasper Morrison
Sebastian Wrong Design Director at Established & Sons
All judges with an interest in an entry stood aside when that entry was being considered.
