The Brits Who Designed the Modern World

Original version

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Artsnight

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

BBC Four

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

BBC Two Scotland

BBC Two England

England

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Four HD

Brenda Emmanus

John Mullen

Janet Lee

Artsnight: Series 4: Episode 7: The Brits Who Designed the Modern World

Documentaries

Episode 7

Episode 7: The Brits Who Designed the Modern World

Series 4

BBC Two - Artsnight, Series 4, The Brits Who Designed the Modern World

Brenda Emmanus meets and profiles ten British designers to find out what inspires them.

Brenda Emmanus meets and profiles ten great living British designers, to find out what inspires them and explore how they have responded to society's evolving tastes.

If there were an Olympic league table for design, Britain would be right at the top. Since the Second World War, British designers have revolutionised our homes, our workplaces, our roads and our public institutions.

In November 2016, the Design Museum opened its new £83m home in Kensington. To mark this great moment for British design, BBC Arts profiles ten great living British designers.

Arts reporter Brenda Emmanus meets and profiles our 'Top 10', to find out what inspires them to make such phenomenal objects. She reveals how designers have responded to society's evolving tastes, from the brash 60s modernism of Margaret Calvert's road signs through to the colourful technology of Rick Dickinson's ZX Spectrum. She also meets Britain's most prolific designer, Sir Kenneth Grange (Intercity 125, bus shelters, the Kenwood Chef...), as well as Andrew Ritchie, who gave the world the Brompton Bike.

And we also hear from an illustrious panel of celebrities whose lives have been transformed by British design, including Will.i.am, Jeremy Paxman, Pete Waterman, Ade Adepitan and Jenny Eclair.

Artsnight: Series 4

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Artsnight

Series 4

Episode 7: The Brits Who Designed the Modern World

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Two Northern Ireland

About BBC Two