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 – Designed by Claire Canning & Lindsey Hesketh for Granite + Smoke – DGM 284

Main Line Twist – Designed by Hayley Barrett & Jane Marks-Yewdall for Camira – DGM 285

LIGHTING

Oslin Collection – Designed by David Irwin for Luum – DGM 286

The Muse Solid Brass – Designed by Tala for Tala – DGM 287

Solid Rechargeable Light – Designed by Terence Woodgate for Case Furniture – DGM 288

FURNITURE

Metro – Designed by Alex Blondek and Rodney Kinsman for OMK Design – DGM 289

Bilbao – Designed by Tim Rundle for Morgan Furniture – DGM 290

Utility Shelf – Designed by Rachael Heritage for WOUD A/S – DGM 291

Edge Free – Designed by Luke Pearson & Tom Lloyd for Modus Furniture DGM 292

Omada – Designed by Mark Gabbertas for Gloster DGM 293

Metis – Designed by Gabbertas Studio for TrabA – DGM 294

Jump – Designed by Gabbertas Studio for TrabA – DGM 295

GEMLA OPEN – Designed by Samuel Wilkinson for GEMLA – DGM 296            

Ooty – Designed by Jack Smith & Gemma Matthias for Allermuir – DGM 297

Bastille – Designed by Patrick Norguet for Allermuir – DGM 298

Plum – Designed by Mark Gabbertas for Allermuir – DGM 299

Hideaway Wall Desk – Designed by Chris Fowler for Bisley – DGM 300

Hideaway Swing Desk – Designed by Chris Fowler for Bisley – DGM 301

Amity Seat – Designed by the Gaze Burvill Design Team for Gaze Burvill – DGM 302

Uniun Bench & Planter – Designed by Furnitubes for Furnitubes – DGM 303

SYD – Designed by Aaron Probyn for Another Country – DGM 304

Tarn – Designed by Gemma Matthias for Hitch Mylius – DGM 305

Domus Desk – Designed by Matthew Hilton for The Conran Shop – DGM 306

Iris Lounge Chair – Designed by Huw Evans for The Conran Shop – DGM 307

Mag Table Collection – Designed by Daniel Schofield for The Conran Shop – DGM 308

AD11 Lounge Chair – Designed by Huw Evans and Campbell Thompson for The Conran Shop – DGM 309

Cross Task Chair – Designed by Pearson Lloyd for TAKT – DGM 310

Marlow Table – Designed by Matthew Hilton for Case Furniture – DGM 311

Slot Shelving – Designed by Terence Woodgate for Case Furniture – DGM 312