Designer of the year
L-R (clockwise) Graham Scott of Nevis, Lucy Richards of Lucy Richards Design, Graham Walker of Graphic Partners, Paul Sudron of Elmwood, Stuart Gilmour of Stand and Mick Dean of Pure.
There may still be three months, one week and one day (and counting) until this year’s Scottish Design Awards, yet there is already much debate being generated by the event. One of the most keenly contested categories this year looks set to be the Designer of The Year accolade. Having conducted a first round of research to collaborate the nominees for the title, a list of Scotland’s finest has been formed. However, as a testament to the high levels of good work that have been produced over the last year, a raft of designers have been short-listed in the first round of nominations by the managing directors of Scotland’s leading design agencies. Graham Scott of Nevis, Stuart Gilmour of Stand, Paul Sudron at Elmwood, Graham Walker at Graphic Partners, Lucy Richards and Mick Dean from Pure, have all made it through.Now that an initial list of nominees has been formed The Drum, to gauge a feel more representative of the general industry opinion, would now like to invite all readers to vote for the designers (from this list) who they believe should have their portfolio carried through to the last round of judging which takes place during the first week of March.
Besides, it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase a small sample of the work produced by some of Scotland’s top designers over the last year.
graham scott (1)
Graham Scott has again been nominated by the design industry as Designer of the Year. Graham Scott Design was operating for seven years before the addition of top designer Ian McIlroy and a partnership with the established Newcastle-based team NE6 three years ago formed Nevis. Now, with a staff of seven, the agency has a diverse client base that includes companies such as law firm Brodies, jeweller Hamilton and Inches and Standard Life Bank. Other clients include Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Blacks Leisure, Scottish Community Foundation and The Department of Trade and Industry.
lucy richards (2)
Lucy Richards Design has been trading successfully now for eight years. 2003 has been the busiest year to date and consequently Richards is now seeking a creative partner to grow the company and expand business.
Lucy Richards Design boasts a diverse client base from salmon packaging for Loch Fyne Oysters to publications and exhibition design for Maggie's Centre. Other recent projects include designing the Grand book on the new Scottish Parliament Building with RMJM architects; artist books for The Tate in London; environmental graphics and public art for Auchterarder School and a new brochure for Summerhall printers.
graham walker (3)
Graham Walker’s high-profile move to Graphic Partners from newton.eh6 in September 2002 made headlines. Since then he has been busy in his role as creative director overseeing work for an impressive client list. Although taking on more of a management role, Walker has worked for a number of clients including BAA, Creative Edinburgh, Waverley Wines and UBS asset management. Other clients on the books at Graphic Partners include Glenmorangie, Scottish Museums Council, the Kelvin Institute and the Scottish Executive.
paul sudron (4)
Paul Sudron joined Elmwood two years ago to launch the design company’s Edinburgh office. Sudron, and his creative partner Graham Sturzacker joined from Graphic Partners where they worked on a wide raft of clients.
Now, however, Sudron has widened his portfolio further with clients including Curtis Fine Paper, Scottish Ambulance Service, Whyte and McKay, Napier University, Heriot Watt University, National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Museums all adding to the experience.
stuart gilmour (5)
Stuart Gilmour and the founding team at Stand left BD-Tank a year ago to go it alone. Already they are reaping the rewards. Gilmour, another previous winner of the coveted Designer of the Year title, is working on a high-profile raft of clients including Tennent’s, for which his company designed a tent for the lager giants at last year’s T-in-the-Park. Other clients include Glasgow Art Fair, Young Scot, Fife College and the Centre for Creative Industries at Glenrothes College. Gilmour and his team recently completed a massive town signage project with Clydebank that will run for many years to come.
mick dean (6)
Mick Dean, Pure Design’s creative director has been with the company for 11 years now.
Dean works on a wide and varied list of clients including Glenmorangie, Lloyds TSB Scotland, Wiseman Dairies, Glasgow School of Art and the DCA. Pure also boast clients that include NHS Health Scotland, Herriot Watt, Bell College and Scottish Water, to name just a few. Dean’s work is constantly motivated by the complementary mix of challenges presented at Pure.
To vote for Scottish Designer of the Year, please email gordon.laing@carnyx.com. The winner will be announced at a gala event in Glasgow on 21st May 2004. For more details contact event manager Lorraine Gordon 0141 352 4661.