Ray Leigh Design Award Event

On a warm and sunny evening in September 2023, the Gordon Russell Design Museum opened its doors to a delightful gathering of friends celebrated with a glass of Pimms, setting the stage for a casual yet memorable evening. The highlight of the evening was the welcome extended to the finalists of the Ray Leigh Design Award. These talented designers and craftsmen came from Rycotewood Furniture College in Oxford, along with their inspiring instructors, Josh Hudson and Drew Pritchard. This informal gathering provided the perfect occasion to discuss ways to strengthen the museum’s support for emerging design and furniture-making talent throughout the UK. Guests had the opportunity to explore the museum’s latest additions to its shop, just in time for the upcoming holiday season. The finalist designs were available for purchase, both in-store and online. These included elegant headphone stands by Josh Garbutt, artfully crafted guitar stands by Krav Metcalfe, inventive gnocchi paddles designed by Sam Webster, exquisite leather trinket boxes by Yuchen Liu, and pen boxes made from various native woods by the overall winner, Thom O’Nions. Purchasing these items not only supports these emerging talents but also aids the museum in its ongoing mission to promote exceptional design. You can delve deeper into the stories behind each design in a small exhibition on the second floor of the Gordon Russell Design Museum.