President's Award

Awarded each year as part of the main D&AD Awards Ceremony, the D&AD President's Award honours those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the world of creativity.

2008 Winners: Sir John & Lady Frances Sorrell




““The Sorrells have taught my peer group & I so much and across so many disciplines – from the formation of branding agency, Newell & Sorrell, to their founding of two major sources of inspiration in design today – The London Design Festival and The Sorrell Foundation. The foundation in particular has benefited so many. Its joinedupdesignforschools programme has given the children, teachers and designers who take part the ability to understand each other and to collaborate at all levels of education. It has motivated and created work that will inspire a generation of designers and clients to come.

Through many ups and the downs the Sorrells have consistently shown resilience, tenacity and faith in the value and power of good design for all. I truly thank you both and can only offer you the world’s heaviest pencil as compensation for the incredible energy you have tirelessly given. If you ever want to blunt a diamond, rub it on a Sorrell.”
Simon Waterfall
D&AD President 2008


Past President’s Award Recipients