Knighthood is 'the tops' for Devon-based designer of UK icons Kenneth Grange
Kenneth Grange, who as one of the UK’s leading designers is responsible for some of the most recognisable products, including Britain’s first parking meter and the London taxi, said he was “chuffed to bits” to receive a knighthood.
The 83-year-old, whose 50-year career has also seen him design the Intercity 125 high speed train, Adshel bus shelters, the Kodak Instamatic camera and the rural post box, has dozens of top design awards under his belt but said of being made a Sir: “It’s at the top of the pile, I think.”
Speaking from his home in Okehampton, Devon, Sir Kenneth said: “I’m very pleased indeed. I suppose I’m a bit of a monarchist at heart.
“I’m quite a fan of Prince Philip. In our particular trade he’s been very supportive for as long as I can remember. I hope he will be there when I have my investiture ceremony.”
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Sir Kenneth said he was honoured to join such design luminaries as Sir Terence Conran and Sir James Dyson in being knighted.
“There are not terribly many of us, but there are many designers. It makes it that bit more special,” he said.
The octogenarian, who continues to nurture a new generation of designers as a visiting professor at the Royal College of Art, said he plans to continue his work until he dies.
He said: “Our trade is a bit like that of a musician or an actor. If someone wants you then you’re up for it. Of course, you can’t resist it. You go to your grave with a job in your hand. I’ll work until I drop, it’s the nature of the beast.”
Sir Kenneth, who in the late 1950s was commissioned by the Design Council to come up with a British version of the parking meter as it was thought the US model was too ugly, said his proudest achievement remains the Intercity 125 high speed train, which has remained in use on many British mainlines since 1976.
“In terms of having the most impact on the general life of the public, that’s the one I’d choose,” he said.
“It looks as though it will still be on the rails when I’ve long gone off them.”
Grange, who was a founding partner of international design firm Pentagram, had a major retrospective of his work, entitled Making Britain Modern, on display at the Design Museum in London last year.
He is the only person to have twice won the Prince Philip design prize, in 1966 and 2001. Originally known as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize for Elegant Design when he first won it, it is now called the Prince Philip Designers Prize.
Grange has also been named the winner of ten Design Council Awards, won the gold medal of the Chartered Society of Designers in 1966 and was made a Royal Designer for Industry in 1969. He was appointed CBE in 1984.
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