Royal Designers for Industry

Following Art School, and as a technical illustrator, Kenneth Grange was an architectural assistant for eight years - starting his own practice in 1956. He made his reputation as a product designer. He co-founded Pentagram in 1972. His designs have spanned sixty years. These include the Inter city 125 train, bus shelters, the latest Black Cab; products for Kenwood, Kodak, Wilkinson Sword, Parker Pens, loudspeakers for B&W, and many for Japanese clients. He is twice winner of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize, holds ten Design Council Awards, is holder of six Honorary Doctorates; and is visiting professor at the Royal college of Art. He was the first to be given a one-man show at the V&A in 1983. Similarly in Tokyo, and at The Design Museum, with his show ‘Making Britain Modern'. He was Knighted in 2013. Subsequent to the above he has continued working for Anglepoise, with five new products, and a consulting design directorship and with furniture for Modus.

For many, the work of Sir Kenneth Grange RDI would have touched their lives at some point; think the classic TX1 taxi, the ease of taking a photo with a Kodak Instomatic, whipping up a storm in the kitchen with a Kenwood Chef or nodding off while travelling on the sleek lines of the intercity 125, or posting a letter in one of Kenneth's postboxes or writing that masterpiece under the light of the anglepoise adjustable lamp or popping a coin in the very first parking meter or keeping dry while waiting under a bus shelter. All and much more were designed by Kenneth Grange over the past six decades. They are all featured in the recently published book 'Designing the Modern World' Thames & Hudson. Photo: Andy Sewell

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Kodak Instamatic camera
1968

HST 125 High speed train for British Rail
1975

Anglepoise model T75
2006

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