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).
For more information and images please contact Saskia Sissons at the Design Council on 020 7420 5248; 07773 768 073 or saskia.sissons@designcouncil.org.uk
- The Prince Philip Designers Prize, which was first awarded in 1959, is run by the Design Council. It is awarded annually to recognise a design career which has upheld the highest standards and broken new ground, while raising the status of design in business and the public sector and also contributing to design education. Nominees are put forward by professional organisations and educational establishments.
- Judging takes the following into account: contribution to the perception of design by industry and the public, and to the status of designers; influence on design standards and trends; record of successful design for consumer and industrial products or buildings, especially success in the marketplace; originality of concepts, patents and other intellectual property rights; aesthetic quality of designs; structural, manufacturing or engineering quality of designs; contribution to design education.
- The judging panel is chaired every year by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. Other panel members this year were Design Council Chairman Sir George Cox (Vice Chairman), Mike Dempsey, Harry Rich, Peter Rogers, John Sermon, Martin Stevens and Richard Williams.
Panellists were nominated by the Chartered Society of Designers, the Confederation of British Industry, the Design Council, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Designers for Industry.
- The Design Council is the UK’s national strategic body for design. It aims to strengthen and support the economy and society by demonstrating and promoting the vital role of design in making businesses more competitive and public services more effective.