london olympic torch by barber osgerby wins design of the year 2012 london olympic torch by barber osgerby wins design of the year 2012
apr 26, 2012

london olympic torch by barber osgerby wins design of the year 2012

edward barber and jay osgerby of barber osgerby portrait © designboom

edward barber and jay osgerby of UK-based studio barber osgerby have won the london design museum‘s design of the year award 2012 for their realization of the london olympic torch. commissioned by the london organizing committee of the olympic and paralympic games (LOCOG), its triangular form signifies the third time that the UK’s capital will host the games. the 8,000 perforations seen on the exterior of the piece represent each bearer who will run with the aluminium torch in the london 2012 olympic torch relay that will take place in july of this year. see designboom’s coverage of the 2012 design of the year shortlist.

as part of milan design week 2012, barber osgerby’s torch was on display at the triennale di milano. designboom interviewed the designers about their process and material selection, the final torch and what it represents:


edward barber and jay osgerby speak with designboom about their design of the london 2012 olympic torch
video © designboom

london 2012 olympic torch by barber osgerby image © designboom

early foam and paper design models of the torch image © designboom

metal prototypes for heat and drop testing image © designboom

up close view of the prototypes image © designboom

image © designboom

pattern and perforation solutions for the torch image © designboom

installation view of the london 2012 olympic torch on show at the triennale di milano during milan design week 2012 image © designboom

andrea chin I designboom
apr 26, 2012

  • Listen BarberOsgerby, I love you man, but come on, the triangular?? 8000 perforations? golden calf?

    i am dissapoint by this illuminati stuff

    diego says:
    Apr 26, 2012

  • i need one… how much? PASSION LIVES HERE)))

    crows says:
    Apr 26, 2012

  • really?

    surprised says:
    Apr 26, 2012

  • Absurd design of senseless minds.

    typomachina says:
    Apr 26, 2012

  • Giant Cheese Grater

    iDisagree says:
    Apr 27, 2012

  • I want one to go jogging with.

    The neighbours already think I\’m nuts – may as well confirm it.

    douglas says:
    Apr 27, 2012

  • I expected more. After all these are the Olympics.

    tenyo says:
    Apr 29, 2012

  • Regardless, I still think it is a beautiful object and appreciate the symbolism behind the various formal elements of the design.

    Basel says:
    Apr 30, 2012

  • Beautiful design!

    [url=http://www.budgetplaces.com] hotels in London [/url]

    Marian says:
    May 02, 2012

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