Milner Gray (designer)
Encyclopedia
Milner Connorton Gray (1899–1997) was one of the key figures of British industrial design
in the 20th century, having played an important role in establishing design as a recognized profession, the emergence of British design consultancies, and the development of Design Management. He studied painting and design at Goldsmiths College School of Art
, London University, where he was a fellow student and friend of the artist-designer Graham Sutherland
. During the First World War he served in the Royal Engineers
where, like other celebrated artists and designers in both World Wars, he was involved in camouflage work. In 1930 he became a founder member of the Society of Industrial Artists (SIA, see Chartered Society of Designers
), which sought to gain professional recognition for the designer in industry. By this time multidisciplinary design consultancies had begun to emerge in the United States. Almost by way of response Gray established the Bassett-Gray Group of Artists and Writers in 1934 which became the Industrial Design Partnership (1935–40), dealing mainly with graphics and product design. One of the cofounders of the latter, Misha Black
, joined with Gray and Herbert Read to establish the Design Research Unit
(DRU) in 1943, a consultancy which sought to provide design expertise for post-war industry, commerce, and the state. It became widely recognized for corporate identity design for many leading companies and organizations, such as Courage Breweries, ICI, and the British Aluminium Company.
During the Second World War Gray was employed on the recommendation of Frank Pick
at the Ministry of Information, initially as head of its newly formed exhibitions division then as an adviser on exhibition design, a field of expertise which he subsequently applied successfully in the Design at Home exhibition of 1945, the Britain Can Make It
exhibition of 1946, and the Festival of Britain of 1951. Gray was also involved in design education, with numerous teaching appointments at leading art schools, including the Royal College of Art
and the Sir John Cass
school, where he was principal from 1937 to 1940. He also advised the BBC on its series Looking at Things, which was broadcast between 1949 and 1955. He was active as a lecturer and writer on many aspects of design, including Package Design (1955) and Lettering for Architects and Designers (1962). Through the DRU he also played a significant role as a consultant to industry. One of his most ambitious projects was the framing, in 1964, of the British Railways corporate identity programme, the working party for which he had chaired.
He also received official recognition: in 1938 he was elected Royal Designer for Industry
, was appointed Master of the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry in 1955, and was awarded the SIA's first Gold Medal for outstanding design achievement.
Industrial design
Industrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production...
in the 20th century, having played an important role in establishing design as a recognized profession, the emergence of British design consultancies, and the development of Design Management. He studied painting and design at Goldsmiths College School of Art
Goldsmiths College
Goldsmiths, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom which specialises in the arts, humanities and social sciences, and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It was founded in 1891 as Goldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute...
, London University, where he was a fellow student and friend of the artist-designer Graham Sutherland
Graham Sutherland
Graham Vivien Sutherland OM was an English artist.-Early life:He was born in Streatham, attending Homefield Preparatory School, Sutton. He was then educated at Epsom College, Surrey before going up to Goldsmiths, University of London...
. During the First World War he served in the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
where, like other celebrated artists and designers in both World Wars, he was involved in camouflage work. In 1930 he became a founder member of the Society of Industrial Artists (SIA, see Chartered Society of Designers
Chartered Society of Designers
The Chartered Society of Designers , headquartered in London, England, is the professional body for designers. It is the world's only Royal chartered body of professional designers...
), which sought to gain professional recognition for the designer in industry. By this time multidisciplinary design consultancies had begun to emerge in the United States. Almost by way of response Gray established the Bassett-Gray Group of Artists and Writers in 1934 which became the Industrial Design Partnership (1935–40), dealing mainly with graphics and product design. One of the cofounders of the latter, Misha Black
Misha Black
Sir Misha Black was an Azerbaijan-born British architect and designer. In 1933 he founded with associates in London the organisation which became the Artists’ International Association. From 1959 to 1975 he was a professor of industrial design at the Royal College of Art in London, England...
, joined with Gray and Herbert Read to establish the Design Research Unit
Design Research Unit
The Design Research Unit was one of the first generation of British design consultancies combining expertise in architecture, graphics and industrial design. It was founded by the managing director of Stuart's Advertising Agency, Marcus Brumwell with Misha Black and Milner Gray in 1943...
(DRU) in 1943, a consultancy which sought to provide design expertise for post-war industry, commerce, and the state. It became widely recognized for corporate identity design for many leading companies and organizations, such as Courage Breweries, ICI, and the British Aluminium Company.
During the Second World War Gray was employed on the recommendation of Frank Pick
Frank Pick
Frank Pick LLB Hon. RIBA was a British transport administrator. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1902, he worked at the North Eastern Railway, before moving to the Underground Electric Railways Company of London in 1906...
at the Ministry of Information, initially as head of its newly formed exhibitions division then as an adviser on exhibition design, a field of expertise which he subsequently applied successfully in the Design at Home exhibition of 1945, the Britain Can Make It
Britain Can Make It
Britain Can Make It was an exhibition of industrial and product design held in London in 1946. It was organized by the Council of Industrial Design, later to become the Design Council....
exhibition of 1946, and the Festival of Britain of 1951. Gray was also involved in design education, with numerous teaching appointments at leading art schools, including the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
and the Sir John Cass
Sir John Cass
Sir John Cass was a merchant, politician and philanthropist. He was born in Rosemary Lane, in the City of London. He was the son of Thomas Cass, carpenter to the Royal Ordnance...
school, where he was principal from 1937 to 1940. He also advised the BBC on its series Looking at Things, which was broadcast between 1949 and 1955. He was active as a lecturer and writer on many aspects of design, including Package Design (1955) and Lettering for Architects and Designers (1962). Through the DRU he also played a significant role as a consultant to industry. One of his most ambitious projects was the framing, in 1964, of the British Railways corporate identity programme, the working party for which he had chaired.
He also received official recognition: in 1938 he was elected Royal Designer for Industry
Royal Designers for Industry
Royal Designer for Industry is a distinction established by the British Royal Society of Arts in 1936, to encourage a high standard of industrial design and enhance the status of designers. It is awarded to people who have achieved "sustained excellence in aesthetic and efficient design for...
, was appointed Master of the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry in 1955, and was awarded the SIA's first Gold Medal for outstanding design achievement.