Barber & Osgerby to Design 2012 Olympic Torch

London

Designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby won an international competitive tender launched last year by LOCOG and the Design Council to create the Torch, along with the celebration cauldrons to be used at the lunchtime stops and evening celebrations during the Olympic Torch Relay.

The designers are based in Shoreditch in the London Borough of Hackney, less than four miles from the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. The Olympic Torch Relay will conclude on evening of 27 July 2012, with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron to open the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Torch, expected to be unveiled in June 2011, will carry the Olympic Flame and take the 2012 Games to people’s doorsteps, showcasing the best of the UK - from dynamic urban areas to places of outstanding natural beauty and sporting and cultural landmarks. Throughout its journey around the UK, the Olympic Torch Relay will visit different communities and connect people to the Olympic Games, its heroes and its spirit.

David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council said:

‘Arguably this is one of the most visible design briefs in the world – literally billions of eyes will be on the Olympic Flame in 2012. I am delighted that Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have won this commission and wish them well as standard bearers for UK design.’

A career in design ... BarberOsgerby from Design Council on Vimeo.