A highlight of the annual London Design Festival is the presentation of the London Design Medal; given to a designer who has made a significant contribution to design and London having achieved international acclaim for their work. This year, Thomas Heatherwick has been awarded the Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to design.

The 2010 London Design Medal will be presented by Sir John Sorrell, Chairman of the London Design Festival, at a dinner held at London’s Andaz Hotel, the official hotel partner for the Festival, tonight (Monday 20 September).

Speaking beforehand, Ben Evans, Festival Director said:
“Thomas Heatherwick is a designer who defies definition whether he is working in in the fields of architecture, product design, sculpture and urban planning. He has developed a considerable reputation for his practice, creating a range of extraordinary objects and buildings; from rolling bridges to seaside cafes to spinning chairs. His stunning British Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo demonstrates to the world that British design is innovative, creative and good for business.

Heatherwick was chosen by a prestigious judging panel which includes Tony Chambers Editor-in-Chief, Wallpaper* magazine; Ilse Crawford Creative Director and founder StudioIlse; Brent Hoberman Founder mydeco.com; Mark Jones Director, Victoria & Albert Museum; Munira Mirza The Mayor’s Advisor for Arts and Culture; Gwyn Miles Director of Somerset House Trust; Alice Rawsthorn Journalist, design critic for International Herald Tribune; Chris Sanderson Strategy and Insight Director, The Future Laboratory; Sir Paul Smith Designer and winner of the 2009 London Design Medal; Paul Thompson Rector, Royal College of Arta and Peter Wallis Chairman of SRU. Sir John Sorrell and Ben Evans were on the panel in a non-judging capacity.

Thomas Heatherwick commented:
“It’s a huge honour and a great surprise to be given the London Design Medal. London is the city I was born and brought up in; an endlessly exciting mish-mash of a place that inspires me and my team in the projects we do.”

The eighth London Design Festival, which runs until Sunday 26 September, reinforces London’s pre-eminence as the world’s capital of design. Today, UK designers are firmly at the forefront of national consciousness and their influence is felt around the world. A glance at the global leaders in design will reveal many a Brit, such as Jonathan Ive at Apple, Jasper Morrison, Paul Priestman, Peter Saville and Tom Dixon… to name but a few. There is no doubt that the country remains abundant with creativity in all areas, from fashion to furniture, from digital technology to graphic design.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in London during September. When London Fashion Week draws to a close, the London Design Festival continues to celebrate and promote creativity with a wide array of events, installations and exhibitions, showing design at its best.