Search for Olympic torch designer launches

A competition is being initiated today to find an Olympic and Paralympic torch designer for the London 2012 games.

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in partnership with the Design Council is calling on design consultancies, engineering firms and manufacturing companies to get in touch. David Godber, deputy chief executive of the Design Council, says the tender is ’a great opportunity for design’ which will provide ’a global showcase for design talent’.

At least 8000 copies of the design will be made, to relay the flame around the UK in a 70-day tour of the country. Lanterns, cauldrons and related products will need to be considered to ensure safe passage of the flame and storage overnight.

A bowl that holds the flame alight over the course of the games may become part of the stadium brief and won’t need to be considered by entrants. Locog will work with its ceremonies team and the ODA to deliver the bowl brief.

Entrants are being encouraged to submit expressions of interest on www.competefor.com, where they have until 22 August to register. A judging panel will be announced shortly, made up of members from the Design Council and Locog, representatives from Olympic and Paralympic sports and industry experts.

Five shortlisted designers will receive a detailed brief and funding to develop a creative proposal, from which the winning design will be chosen in October.

Torch for the London 1948 games, designed by Ralf Lavers

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