Design Museum

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Founded in 1989 by designer and writer Sir Terence Conran, the Design Museum is located in west London where it houses exhibits pertaining to contemporary design, architecture, and culture. Initially located within a mid-20th century banana warehouse on the South Bank of River Thames, the museum relocated in 2016 to its current location -- the former Commonwealth Institute building in Kensington, London. The structure was renovated into a larger, more modern space which was designed specifically to house the museum's contemporary themes and exhibits.  

In 2003, the museum launched a "Designer of the Year" award program which evolved into "Designs of the Year" in 2007. In 2016, large insurance firm Beazley onboarded as a sponsor which changed the name of the award to "Beazley Designs of the Year". Such iconic design works as the Barack Obama poster by Shepard Fairey and the London 2012 Olympic Torch by Barber & Osgerby have been recognized with the museum's annual honor.