Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby
Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby are British designers whose collaborative work has shaped contemporary industrial design for more than three decades. Working across furniture, lighting, interiors and public projects, their practice has become recognised for combining experimentation, material innovation and industrial precision with a refined understanding of colour and form.
About
Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby established their London practice in 1996 after meeting at the Royal College of Art. Throughout nearly thirty years of collaboration, they created furniture, lighting, products and architectural projects for many of the world's leading design companies, including Vitra, Flos, Knoll, B&B Italia, Mutina, AXOR, Cappellini and Hermès. Their work also includes public commissions such as the London 2012 Olympic Torch and numerous museum and cultural projects.
Their approach is driven by curiosity, experimentation and an ongoing exploration of materials, colour and manufacturing processes. Rather than developing a recognisable formal style, each project begins with research into context, production and function, allowing material innovation and industrial techniques to shape the final outcome. This analytical way of working has become one of the defining characteristics of their practice. Alongside their design practice, Barber and Osgerby co-founded Universal Design Studio, focusing on architecture and interiors, and Map Project Office, a consultancy dedicated to industrial design strategy and innovation. Through teaching, lectures and workshops, they have also contributed to educating and inspiring new generations of designers. In 2026, after almost three decades of collaboration, the designers announced the closure of their joint studio and the beginning of two independent practices. Their work for Blēo remains part of this shared legacy, reflecting their longstanding interest in colour as an integral part of material, manufacturing and spatial experience.
