George Gibbens creates designs that blend quality, elegance, and sophistication, with a mission to elevate lives through thoughtful and impactful products. His work spans diverse industries, including biotech, agriculture, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and accessories. By focusing on product strategy and driving higher value through design, George delivers solutions that are both innovative and functional.
Through a commitment to pushing the boundaries of possibility, George leads with a vision to create products that seamlessly integrate beauty and purpose, inspiring others to reimagine what’s possible.
BIOGRAPHY
George Gibbens is an industrial and product designer whose work spans furniture, luxury goods, technology, biotech, agriculture, architecture, and manufacturing. Born and raised in South Africa, George developed a hands-on approach to design early in life, refining his craft before moving to Paris to expand his career.
In 2016, George debuted internationally at Dubai Design Week with the Wasser project, an electricity-free washing machine that captured global attention. In 2021, his Slank Occasional Chair made waves at Milan Design Week, showcasing his commitment to innovative and elegant design.
George’s work has earned numerous accolades, including the Red Dot Award and the Design Intelligence Award. His designs have been featured in top publications like Men's Health and L'Officiel, and he is a sought-after speaker on design and innovation, frequently sharing insights on podcasts and industry panels.
Global Recognition
International Exhibitions
FEATURES & AWARDS
DIA - DESIGN INTELLIGENCE AWARD - (October 2021) Honourable Mention: Waterbok II.
SALONE DEL MOBILE.MILANO - (September 2021, Milan, Italy) Isola Gallery - The Slank Occasional Chair.
RED DOT AWARD - (July 2021) Design Concept - The Venta Mask.
SIT FURNITURE DESIGN AWARD - (April 2021) Honourable Mention - The Slank Occasion Chair.
YOUNGBLOOD ARTS & CULTURE EXHIBITION - (March 2021, Cape Town) Slank Occasion Chair.
DESIGN INDABA EXHIBITOR - (February 2020, Cape Town) Design by George Gibbens featuring the Slank and Kolk ranges
IDA - 11TH & 12TH INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS - (April 2019) Silver Design Award for Sensory-Enhancing.
MEN’S HEALTH Magazine - (July 2018) ‘Better Man’ editorial: Celebrating those making a positive impact in their community.
EMERGING CREATIVE - (2018) Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives exhibit spotlights local talent.
GLOBAL GRAD SHOW EXHIBITOR - (2017) Showcased a design project at the Global Grad Show as a part of Dubai Design Week.
CAPEGATE PRODUCT DESIGN CHALLENGE - (2017) First place in the Cape Gate Fence & Wire Works product design challenge.
GLOBAL GRAD SHOW EXHIBITOR - (2016) Showcased a design project at the Global Grad Show as a part of Dubai Design Week.
COBRA PRODUCT DESIGN COMPETITION - (2016) Runner-up design: automated faucet system.