London Design Festival is a citywide cultural event that takes place over nine days every September across London. It was founded by John Sorrell and Ben Evans in 2003 and will stage its 23rd edition from 13 to 21 September 2025.[1] In an article by Wallpaper, the festival chairman stated, "We consciously founded the London Design Festival to be public-spirited. Over the last 20 years, the Festival has had incredible depth of penetration and success in bringing people together and distilling new ideas."[2][3][4]
MultiPly by Waugh Thistleton Architects at the Victoria and Albert Museum (2018)
The inaugural edition of the London Design Festival took place from the 20 to 28 September 2003, where 90 speakers attended the festival across over 60 events.[6] Participation grew in 2017, as the audience was increased to 420,000 visitors. It increased again in 2019, attracting 600,000.[7][8][9] Over 2,000 design businesses participate each year, including brands and universities.[citation needed]
The Festival comprises over 400 events and exhibitions staged by over 300 partner organisations across the design spectrum and from around the world.[10] The Festival also commissions and curates its program of Landmark Projects, exhibitions and special projects at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and other commissions and events throughout the city.[11][12][13][14]
The Festival also has events including its thought-leadership programme the Global Design Forum, talks, keynotes, daily tours, and workshops.[15][16] In 2019 it had 50 speakers from 18 countries and 2,800 visitors.[17]
Landmark Projects
The Smile designed by Alison Brooks (in collaboration with AHEC and Arup) at the Chelsea College of Arts (2016)
Since 2009, the Victoria and Albert Museum has been the central hub for the London Design Festival, celebrating fourteen years of partnership in 2022.[28][29][30][31][32] It has been called the "true epicentre" of the festival.[33] Museum director Tristram Hunt said that the "London Design Festival occupies a vital role in London's thriving design sector, reaffirming London's position as one of the world's leading global design capitals."[34][35] Ben Evans, the festival's director said "I still have to pinch myself that they let us come and play in their museum".[36]
Each year a jury composed of established designers, industry commentators and previous winners choose recipients of the London Design Medals across four categories. Winners are chosen from a wide range of design disciplines and awarded for their contribution to their field.[37][38]
Festival Director Ben Evens stated "While there is no shortage of design awards, we wanted to do it differently. So we took the Nobel Prize route – there's no shortlist, just a winner. So that means there's no losers either."[39]
The London Design Medal is designed each year by jewellery designer Hannah Martin.[40] The Medals feature a London bird, the Cockney Sparrow, in flight.[41]
The London Design Medal categories
London Design Medal: The highest accolade bestowed upon an individual who has distinguished themselves within the industry and demonstrated consistent design excellence.
Design Innovation Medal: Celebrates entrepreneurship in all its forms, both locally and internationally. It honours an individual for whom design lies at the core of their development and success.
Emerging Talent Medal: Recognises an impact made on the design scene within five or so years of graduation.
Lifetime Achievement Medal: Honours a significant and fundamental contribution to the design industry throughout a career.
Previous medal winners
Sir Ken Adam, Lifetime Achievement Medal (2015)[42]
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