Gorillaz' Jamie Hewlett Gets Design Award

05/23/2006 10:08 AM, AP


Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett has been named Britain's designer of the year for his groundbreaking animation for the virtual band.

Hewlett, who first earned fame for co-creating the comic strip Tank Girl, won the award Monday in a ceremony at the Design Museum. He was honored for conceiving the graphics, animation and "live" performances for the band, which is composed of four animated, fictional members.

"Jamie Hewlett has not only created a personal mythology with the virtual band Gorillaz, he has also created designs for the direction in which technology and culture are going — the shape of things to come," said Christopher Frayling, who chaired the award jury.

The annual $47,000 prize honors the British or Britain-based designer who has made the biggest contribution to design in the past year.

Hewlett co-formed the Gorillaz with Blur singer Damon Albarn. The virtual band's albums include the self-titled, "Gorillaz," and "Demon Days."

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On the Net:

http://www.gorillaz.com/flash.html

http://www.designmuseum.org/