Prince Philip Designers Prize 2007

Transcript from the prize giving ceremony at the Sage, Gateshead, 25 October 2007

David Kester

The Prince Philip Designers Prize goes right back to the 1950s when it was actually born as the Prince Philip Prize for Elegant Design and over the years we've seen some great designers, some really worthy winners and that's from Lord Foster to Sir Terence Conran - many, many others - Derek Birdsall, the graphic designer. So many great designers have received this over the years and decades.

Today, it rewards designers in all fields, whether that's in architecture, industrial design, graphics right across the breadth of design. And what's unique about it, two things: one, it's been going for such a long time and second of all, it rewards the individual.

Thomas Heatherwick

When I'd found that out that I'd won this, I was very shocked I suppose. A very extraordinary surprise. It’s very encouraging…it's really supportive.

David Kester

We're delighted to be hosting the prize this year in Newcastle Gateshead, and doing it in the Sage, which of course is a great exemplar of design itself. But we're doing it here because this year its Designs of the Times - Dott07. So what better opportunity to host the Prince Philip Prize and celebrate the power of the individual as well as the power of the public.

Prince Philip

And the winner is... David Gentleman!
[applause]

David Gentleman

Well I couldn't believe it, and of course I'm delighted. I also thought that the whole field of contenders was very wonderful. I thought I might have made it to commendation, and when the two commendations were over, I thought – well, that's it – time to go home! So I was pleased.

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