What a beautiful idea this is. The Design Auction was set up by some tutors and students of Lincoln School of Art & Design back in 2007 as a way to make some cash for their third year graphic design end of year degree show. A few phone-calls and emails later and the great & good of the design world were offering them rare and beautiful bits and pieces of loveliness and gorgousnessness. It’s a simply brilliant idea, a great website and a showcase of some truly ground-breaking bits of design. So grab yer’ mouse, a cup of tea and a pack of Digestives and enjoy…

The Design Auction is run by tutors and students on the BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree course at the Lincoln School of Art & Design to raise funds for the end of year degree show. After the success of last years auction it was of no surprise to hear that other educational institutions had organised their own auctions up and down the country. This year we decided to take the bull by the horns and keep one step ahead of the game. The Design Auction 2009 is more than just about us, it has changed location, it involves more people than ever before and is much more ambitious than last year. We have decided to run the event with the St Bride Printing Library who relies upon donations to carry out its work and keep its doors open. They provide lectures, performances, lessons and activities for all ages and interests and keep the St Bride Printing Library open free of charge. We have decided to donate half of the proceeds of the auction to St Bride and to help us raise as much, if not more than last year, Michael Johnson of johnsonbanks has agreed to bang the gavel.

The Design Auction was conceived in the marble halls of Thomas Parker House in Lincoln back in 2007. Tutors and students Liam Mitchell, Matt Mellor and Faye Morrow pulled together to think of ways to raise funds for the third year graphic design end of year degree show. They initially approached a few designers and illustrators to see if we could get hold of a number of items to 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 Deuchars? Posters were designed and produced, a website constructed, promotional material devised and before we knew it The Design Auction was born.

The event which took place on 9th April 2008 in Lincoln, generated a lot 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 150 lots from over 100 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 a massive success and also helped raise awareness and the profile of our students,the course and it’s location.

If you would like to contribute to The Design Auction please email us at info@designauction.co.uk.

(copy taken from The Design Auction website)