Matthew Hilton RDI | |
---|---|
Born | Hastings, England | 31 January 1957
Nationality | British |
Education | Portsmouth College of Art |
Alma mater | Kingston Polytechnic |
Occupation(s) | Furniture designer and Industrial designer |
Known for | Balzac armchair |
Website | Matthew Hilton |
Matthew Hilton RDI (born 1957) is a British industrial designer of modern furniture, lighting, and sculptural works. [1]
Hilton attended Portsmouth College of Art and then Kingston Polytechnic graduating in 1979.[ citation needed ] After graduation he was an industrial designer and model maker until 1984. In 1991, he designed the "Balzac Armchair" [2] for SCP Limited, a company started by Sheridan Coakley in 1985 and now based in Shoreditch, London. Between 2000 and 2004 Hilton was Habitat's head of furniture design. [3] He was elected a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) in 2005.
In 2013, Hilton designed a watch which was self-produced in small numbers. [4]
In 2004 Hilton was made a Royal Designer for Industry. RDI is the highest accolade for designers in the UK; only 200 designers can hold the title and non-UK designers may receive the honorary title Hon RDI. Hilton's furniture design work has been called the application of skilled craftsmanship, real materials, and serious integrity. [4] Haute Living magazine described it as incredibly elegant, simple lines and master craftsmanship. [5]
In 2012, Hilton received an honorary doctorate from Kingston University for his contributions to British design. [6] [7]