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London Design Festival 2008 Medal Winner

Each year, London Design Festival recognises the contribution made by a leading design figure to London and the industry with a London Design Medal. This is awarded to an individual who has distinguished themselves within the sector and has demonstrated consistent design excellence.

London Design Medal: Marc Newson

Marc Newson has been described as the most influential designer of his generation. He has worked across a wide range of disciplines, creating everything from furniture and household objects to bicycles and cars, private and commercial aircraft, yachts, various architectural commissions, and signature sculptural pieces for clients across the globe.

Born in Sydney, Newson spent much of his childhood travelling in Europe and Asia. He started experimenting with furniture design as a student and, after graduation, was awarded a grant from the Australian Crafts Council with which he staged his first exhibition - featuring the Lockheed Lounge – a piece that has now, twenty years later, set three consecutive world records at auction. Newson has lived and worked in Tokyo, Paris, and London, and he continues to travel widely.

His clients include a broad range of the best known and most prestigious brands in the world - from manufacturing and technology to transportation, fashion and the luxury goods sector.

Many of his designs have been a runaway success for his clients and have achieved the status of modern design icons. In addition to his core business, he has also founded and run a number of successful companies, including a fine watch brand and an aerospace design consultancy, and has also held senior management positions at client companies; including creative director of Qantas Airways.