Ian Callum awarded the prestigious Minerva Medal for excellence in design
This is the highest accolade given by the Society.
David Callcott FCSD, President, Chartered Society of Designers, said: “The Society is delighted that the 2014 Minerva Medal has been awarded to Ian Callum who has successfully demonstrated the value of strategic design within an organisation. Ian follows in a long list of renowned designers who have all displayed the highest qualities in terms of aesthetics, function, process and innovation. The success of Jaguar Land Rover is testament enough to his design achievements and the Minerva Medal is recognition of them.”
On the occasion, Ian Callum said: “Receiving the Minerva Medal and being recognised for my contribution to car design alongside such outstanding designers is a real high point in my career. To have my life’s work on display and having the automotive car design industry recognised by such a prestigious society with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as its patron is a truly humbling experience.”
Ian’s first contribution to Jaguar as a designer was when he led his team to create the four-seater luxury R Coupe concept vehicle in 2001. It was the first vehicle to explore and demonstrate the new design philosophy for Jaguar and has been a big influence in the current Jaguar lineup.
Leading Jaguar into a new era of design, Ian’s contribution towards the Jaguar XK, XF and XJ has been exceptional. His latest works include the C-X75 supercar concept, the C-X17 concept, the F-TYPE two-seater sports car, and the new XE mid-sized sports saloon revealed earlier this year.
During the first 12 years of his career, Ian worked in Ford Design Studios, where he contributed to the creation of the Escort RS Cosworth and the Ghia Via Concept. Later, as Chief Designer of TWR Design, he was responsible for the Aston Martin DB7, Vanquish and DB9.
The Minerva Medal is the highest accolade the Society can bestow and is awarded to a designer for a lifetime’s achievement in design. The Medal has not been awarded to an automotive designer since 1981, when it was given to Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. Previous winners include British architect Richard Rogers, who designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris, British fashion designer Mary Quant and Italian kitchen-ware designer Alberto Allessi.
To read my exclusive interview with Ian Callum, click here.
