The cartoonist behind the virtual band Gorillaz was named Designer of the Year last night, fending off a field which included the team behind the Guardian’s Berliner format. Jamie Hewlett was awarded the £25,000 prize by the Design Museum for devising the graphics, website, animations and “live” performances of the chart-topping virtual group. The animated band, which he dreamed up with Blur frontman Damon Albarn, have released two successful albums.
Other finalists included the furniture and lighting designer Tom Dixon, Cameron Sinclair, for his work with humanitarian design group Architecture for Humanity, and the Guardian’s redesign team.
Design Museum: more about Designer of the Year
Gorillaz website