The Design Auction was conceived in the marble halls of Thomas Parker House in Lincoln back in 2007. Tutors and students pulled together to think of ways to raise funds for the third year graphic design end of year degree show. We initially approached a few designers and illustrators to see if we could get hold of a number of items we could auction off. The response was fantastic and so we decided to widen the net and began attracting interest from other designers, illustrators and photographers from all over the world. We ran with the idea of pitching designer against designer, illustrator against illustator, photographer against photographer – what would be worth more – a Brody or a Sagmeister, a Hyland or a Deuchar?. Posters were designed, a website constructed, promotional material devised and before we knew it the Design Auction was born.

The first event which took place on 9th April 2008 in Lincoln generated alot of press from the likes of Creative Review, Design Week, Icon Magazine and blogs from all four corners of the globe. Jonathan Barnbrook was our distinguished rebel auctioneer and along with over 100 lots from over 60 designers, illustrators, photographers, artists, publishers and retailers, helped us raise nearly £7,000 for the third year graphic design end of year degree show. It was by all standards a massive success and also helped raise awareness and the profile of our students, the course and its location.

In 2009 we took the Design Auction to London and not satisfied with only raising money for the student’s degree show; and in the wake of copy-cat auctions, we decided to hold the event at St Brides and to donate half the proceeds to their Foundation raising over £6,000. Furthermore the students who organised the 2009 event (Toby, Steve, Lauren and Danny) picked up first prize and yellow pencils in the What else do you do category at the D&AD student awards.

Designers from all over the world donated wonderful objects of graphic desire including: Paula Scher, Studio8, Spin, Marion Deuchars, Daniel Eatock, Jonathan Barnbrook, The Partners, Si Scott, Angus Hyland, Experimental Jetset, The Chase, Wim Crouwel, Jim Sutherland, Stefan Sagmeister, Ian Anderson, Why Not Associates, Studio Dumbar, Ken Garland, Kate Moross, Sara Fanelli and Johnson Banks etc… etc…

Thank you for your support.