Kenneth Grange (b.1929) is a British Industrial Designer.
Education
Between 1944- 1947 he studied at the Willesden School of Arts and Crafts, London.
Biography
Between1947-49, he trained as an illustrator. in 1948, was design assistant, Arcon Chartered Architects. Between 1949—50, he was architectural assistant, at Bronek Katz and Vaughn. Between 1950—52, he was a designer with George Bower, and 1952—58, a designer with Jack Howe and Partners, all in London. Between 1958—71, he was active in his own design consultancy. In 1972, (with Theo Crosby, Alan Fletcher, Colin Forbes, and Mervyn Kurlansky) he became a founding partner of Pentagram, London, which subsequently set up branch offices in New York and San Francisco.
Influences
He was influenced by the sculptural simplicity of German postwar design, such as that of Braun. He redesigned products for Kenwood, including their food mixer. 1987—88, he was president, Chartered Society of Designers. From the late 1980s an increasing number of his clients were Japanese, including Maruzen (sewing machines), Shiseido (toiletry bottles), and tile manufacturer Inax (bathroom fittings).
Industrial Designs
His Industrial designs included 1959 Brownie 44A camera, 1964 Brownie Vecta camera, 1970 Instamatic camera, 1975 Pocket Instamatic camera, all for Kodak; 1960 parking meter for Venner; 1960 Chef food mixer, 1966 Chefette hand mixer, 1967 rechargeable electric knife, all for Ken- wood; 1963 Milward Courier electric shaver for Needle Industries; 1972 Safety razor and 1977 Royale razor for Wilkinson Sword: 1965-67 hat-and-coat systems for A.J. Binns; 1968—72 corporate symbol, sewing machines, calculators, and typewriters for Maruzen, 1971—73 125 high-speed train body for British Rail; and 1979 Parker 25 fountain pen.
Recognition
In 1969, elected Royal Designer for Industry. Received 1963 Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize for Elegant Design (Courier electric shaver), 1984 Commander of the British Empire, and 1959-81 Design Council Awards. Work subject of 1983 ‘Kenneth Grange at the Boilerhouse: An Exhibition of British Product Design,’ Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL
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