london olympic torch by barber osgerby wins design of the year 2012

edward barber and jay osgerby of barber osgerby
portrait © designboom

edward barber and jay osgerby of UK-based studio barber osgerby have won the london design museum‘s design of the year award 2012 for their realization of the london olympic torch. commissioned by the london organizing committee of the olympic and paralympic games (LOCOG), its triangular form signifies the third time that the UK’s capital will host the games. the 8,000 perforations seen on the exterior of the piece represent each bearer who will run with the aluminium torch in the london 2012 olympic torch relay that will take place in july of this year. see designboom’s coverage of the 2012 design of the year shortlist.

as part of milan design week 2012, barber osgerby’s torch was on display at the triennale di milano. designboom interviewed the designers about their process and material selection, the final torch and what it represents:

london 2012 olympic torch by barber osgerby
image © designboom

early foam and paper design models of the torch
image © designboom

metal prototypes for heat and drop testing
image © designboom

up close view of the prototypes
image © designboom

image © designboom

pattern and perforation solutions for the torch
image © designboom

installation view of the london 2012 olympic torch on show at the triennale di milano during milan design week 2012
image © designboom