George J. Sowden

George J. Sowden

George J. Sowden was born in 1942 in Leeds, United Kingdom. A consultant for Olivetti, he met Ettore Sottsass in Italy and co-founded the Memphis design movement alongside him. In 1981, he established his own practice, Sowden Design, which has collaborated with some of the world’s most influential design brands.

A highly experienced designer, his work ranges from enhancing mass-market electronic products to creating limited-edition handcrafted objects, including ceramics, glassware, textiles, and rugs. In 1991, he was awarded the Compasso d’Oro for a fax machine he designed for Olivetti.

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The first project created by Sowden for Bitossi dates back to 1981 and the Memphis Group. In 2004, the designer introduced a new collection of four vases, each composed of multiple elements, available in either a multicolored decorated version or a monochromatic matte white finish.

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