Matthew Hilton (designer)
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Matthew Hilton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 January 1957 Hastings, England |
| Education | Portsmouth College of Art |
| Alma mater | Kingston Polytechnic |
| Occupations | Furniture designer and Industrial designer |
| Known for | Balzac armchair |
| Website | Matthew Hilton |
Matthew Hilton RDI (born 1957) is a British industrial designer of modern furniture, lighting, and sculptural works.[1]
Hilton attended Portsmouth College of Art and then Kingston Polytechnic graduating in 1979.[citation needed] After graduation he was an industrial designer and model maker until 1984. In 1991, he designed the "Balzac Armchair"[2] for SCP Limited, a company started by Sheridan Coakley in 1985 and now based in Shoreditch, London. Between 2000 and 2004 Hilton was Habitat's head of furniture design.[3] He was elected a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) in 2005.
In 2013, Hilton designed a watch which was self-produced in small numbers.[4]
Awards and accomplishments
In 2004 Hilton was made a Royal Designer for Industry. RDI is the highest accolade for designers in the UK; only 200 designers can hold the title and non-UK designers may receive the honorary title Hon RDI. Hilton's furniture design work has been called the application of skilled craftsmanship, real materials, and serious integrity.[4] Haute Living magazine described it as incredibly elegant, simple lines and master craftsmanship.[5]
In 2012, Hilton received an honorary doctorate from Kingston University for his contributions to British design.[6][7]
