George Sowden

David Caon is recorded as having studied under George Sowden. The recorded working language is English. Places of work recorded in the authority are Milan. Employment is recorded with Cor Unum. Work by George Sowden is recorded in the collections of ADI Design Museum, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Design Museum Den Bosch, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.

• Name — George J. Sowden • Born — 1942 • Birthplace — Leeds, UK • Spouse — Nathalie Du Pasquier • Education — Gloucestershire College • Occupation — Product designer • Website — georgesowden.com

George Sowden was born in Leeds, England, in 1942. He studied architecture at Gloucestershire College of Art in the 1960s. In 1971, he moved to Milan, where he started working with Ettore Sottsass and Olivetti. In parallel to the industrial design work on early Olivetti computers, he was involved during the 1970s in experimental "radical" design projects which enabled him to become, in 1981, one of the co-founders of the Memphis Group, the design movement that had a significant impact on design in the eighties. In the same year, 1981, he founded his design studio, SowdenDesign, collaborating with companies such as Olivetti, Alessi, Bodum, Guzzini, Lorenz, Rancilio, Steelcase, Swatch, Segis, Memphis, IPM, Moulinex, Telecom Italia, Tefal and Pyrex. In 1991, he received the Compasso d'Oro Award for design excellence for Olivetti, Fax OFX420. His works are held by museums such as the Metropolitan Museum, Brooklyn Museum, and Cooper Hewitt in New York, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

In 2010, Sowden developed the SoftBrew coffee brewing device, which is distributed and sold throughout the world, notably in collaboration with the Danish design company HAY. In 2012, Sowden established his own brand, SOWDEN, dedicated to the development, manufacture and distribution of exclusive products designed under his own name. Throughout his career, he has maintained a personal interest in collaborating with craft and small industrial organisations, an approach that has informed much of his design work.

The authorities additionally record the headings George James Sowden and George J. His recorded language was English. He married Nathalie du Pasquier.

George Sowden is recorded as photographic developer and designer.