Sebastian Conran

From stacking shelves at Habitat in his teens to running Studio Conran, Sebastian's life has been focused on understanding how things are made & sold, as well as designing innovative, stylish & satisfying products. He has seen many thousands of successful & enduring products through from concept to consumer. Whether for John Lewis or Virgin Atlantic, Nigella or Nissan, to the many other industry leading clients across the globe that he has worked with during his career.

After leaving Bryanston school with A levels in Maths, Physics & Chemistry, Sebastian studied Industrial Design Engineering at Central St. Martins; where as Union treasurer he gave the Sex Pistols their first booking, and designed the record sleeves, posters, and clothing for The Clash.

1978: joined corporate identity consultancy Wolff Olins, taking creative responsibility for key accounts such as Shell and Pilkington.

1981: led hard-merchandise design at Mothercare - a role that transformed the appearance and performance of childcare equipment.

1986: started product design studio, Sebastian Conran Associates.

1991: formed furniture design & manufacturing studio/workshops with Tom Dixon

1999: SCA merged with the Conran group where Sebastian was responsible for all product and branding design.

2009: Sebastian Conran Associates is re-established in purpose built studio workshops in Kensington

He has taught furniture design at the Royal College of Art; lectures frequently; judges many international design awards [Audi, D&AD, Design Week, Dyson, Red Dot, RSA, etc.]; and has written several books, articles and papers on design.

An active member of many bodies, he has also worked with many design & educational institutions including:

• Designer in Residence, Sheffield University Science Faculty


• Visiting Professor of the University of the Arts London


• Chairman of Design & Technology Alliance - UK Home Office's body tackling crime with design


• Chairman of the Creative Industries KTN steering group Technologies Innovation Network


• Chairman Design Action in Scotland steering group Scotland's Design & Industry knowledge exchange


• Trustee of the Design Council - the UK's national strategic body for design


• Trustee of the Design Museum, and the Conran Foundation its founding body


• Governor and Trustee of Bryanston School


• Trustee of D&AD, the international body of creative professionals


• Hon. Fellow RCA, the Royal College of Art


• Fellow of RSA, the Royal Society of Arts


• Fellow of CSD, the Chartered Society of Designers


• Fellow of IoP, the Institute of Packaging


• Ambassador for ICAN, the children's education charity


• Ambassador for ACID, the anti copying in design lobby group

Awards

Leonardo icon range
Red Dot design award

Tchibo kitchen
IF product design award

Sainsburys bY range
D&AD product design selection
Elle Deco most iconic products of the year

Nigella Lawson's Living Kitchen
Homes & Garden's Judges Award

Villeroy & Boch Aveo bathroom
IF product design awards

Smart Cafe Cafetiere
Design Council Millennium product

Smart Cafe OneCup
Red Dot product design award

Equilibrium scales
Excellence in Housewares award
FX design award

Micromap
British invention of the Year
Design Council Millennium product

John Lewis Radius Table
Furniture Guild Design Mark

John Lewis Boxer Shelves
Furniture Guild Design Mark

John Lewis Aerofoil Desk
Furniture Guild Design Mark

Anywayupcup
DBA Design effectiveness award, best of year
BFP most innovative use of plastic Horner's Award
Design Council Millennium product

Sealine, T60 Aura Yacht Interior
Red Dot Award
Cannes Boat Show, Best in Category
Garmin, Motorboat of the Year

Yamagiwa Stem Ray light
Red Dot Award

Mothercare Via Pushchair
BFP most innovative use of plastic Horner's Award

Yotel, Compact Hotels
International Forum, Product Design Award
Red Dot Award.

< Back to About us

Copyright © 2011 Sebastian Conran Associates.

All rights reserved.