Fernando Gutiérrez, author of the corporate identity of LABoral, appointed a Royal Designer for the British Industry
The designer of Asturian origin has created catalogues, publications, signs and merchandising for the Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial
Some of the works made by Fernando Gutiérrez for LABoral. Photo: Studio Fernando Gutiérrez
The graphic designer of Asturian origin based in London Fernando Gutiérrez will be awarded the distinction Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) in a ceremony that will take place at the premises of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), in London, this Thursday, November 27. The RDI is the highest award for design in the United Kingdom. With this distinction, the RSA honours British professionals “whose work significantly benefits society and preserves excellence in design and the aesthetic value”. On the current edition Fernando Gutiérrez has been awarded together with Richard Rogers (architecture), Helen Storey (fashion) and Neil Thomas (engineering).
Fernando Gutiérrez is the author of the visual identity of LABoral and he has developed many graphical elements (catalogues, publications, signs and merchandising for the Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial) and he is also the author of the brands of TPA and Consorcio de Transportes de Asturias.
Royal Society of Arts honours Fernando Gutiérrez for “fostering through design awareness raising regarding political and social matters”. The prestigious British institution recognises as well his leadership in the “the promotion of plastic arts in the international field of culture”.
Born in London with Spanish heritage (his father was born in the Asturian village of Arenas de Cabrales– he maintains close family and professional links with the Principality of Asturias. He is member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI). A former partner of Pentagram, he founded Studio Fernando Gutiérrez in 2006 and he continues to develop works and concepts in the fields of editorial design, corporate identity, packaging, exhibitions, signage and digital media.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to cooperate with the RSA and other RDI in the promotion of design. I join with a will to help others”, says Fernando Gutiérrez, who studied graphic design at London College of Printing. He has worked in London, Madrid and Barcelona for very prestigious cultural entities such as Museo del Prado, Victoria and Albert Museum or the London Design Museum, for mass media such as El País (Tentaciones, EPS), or the magazine Matador, and the publishing houses La Fábrica (PHotoEspaña), Turner Libros and Ivory Press among others. In Asturias, in addition to carrying out designs for LABoral, he has worked with TPA and Consorcio de Transportes de Asturias, developing their respective brands.
“I am delighted and very honoured to be appointed a Royal Designer for Industry. Through graphic design I strive to produce work that improves people's lives and gives meaning”, says Fernando Gutiérrez, who adds that “This award gives me the strength and confidence to continue into an ever changing world, where good design has a fundamental role”.
The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, known by the acronym RSA since it was founded in 1754, created the RDI in 1936 to support the status of designers and encourage high quality in industrial design. (http://www.thersa.org/). The RSA distinction is offered but it is never applied for. The candidate has to be backed by an RDI and by the work group of the faculty representing the specialty of the candidate. The total number of RDIs cannot exceed 200. Some of the current members of the RDI faculty are Peter Blake, artist; Tim Berners–Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web; David Chipperfield, architect; Brian Eno, musician; Norman Foster, architect; Jonathan Ive, Apple designer; Margaret Howell, fashion; Jasper Morrison, products and furniture; Marc Newson, products and furniture; Paul Smith, fashion; and Vivienne Westwood, fashion. The RSA recognises as well the most outstanding foreign creators with the title of Hon RDI. Some of them are Fabien Baron, Manolo Blahnik, Javier Mariscal, Dieter Rams and Yohji Yamamoto.
