London 2012 Olympic Torch by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby

image from Barber Osgerby official website

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) on June 8th 2011 showcased prototypes of the London 2012 Olympic Torch to be carried by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers.

Earlier this year East London based designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby won the competitive tender run by LOCOG and the Design Council that set the brief to design a Torch that reflects the celebratory nature of the Olympic Torch Relay and the Olympic Games.

Design: The Torch is made up of four key pieces - an inner and an outer aluminium alloy skin perforated by 8,000 circles that are held in place by a cast top piece and base.

Representing the inspirational stories of the 8,000 Torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame, the circles which run the length of the body of the Torch also offer a unique level of transparency – allowing people to see right to the heart of the Torch and view the burner system which will keep the Olympic Flame alive. The circles also help ensure heat is quickly dissipated without being conducted down the handle and providing extra grip. London 2012 Partner, BMW, have provided the use of their climatic testing facility for the Torch to be tested.

Shape: The triangular form of the Torch design has been inspired by the identification of a multiples of three that are found across the vision and delivery of the Olympic Games: 1. The three Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship; 2. The three words that make the Olympic motto - faster, higher, stronger; 3. The fact the UK has hosted the Olympic Games three times - in 1908, 1948 and 2012; 4. The vision for the London 2012 Olympic Games to combine three strands of work - sport, education and culture.

The Torch stands 800mm high and weighs 800g.

Colour: The gold colour finish embraces the qualities of the Olympic Flame – the brightness and the warmth of the light that it shines. The 8,000 Torches will have a gold-coloured finish that delivers an aesthetic beauty whilst having the ability to withstand the temperature of the Olympic Flame.

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, explained: ‘Ever since we were young we have loved the Olympic Games. As designers, this is quite simply the best project going: to design an icon for the Games. We’ve wanted to be involved since July 2005 when we were celebrating winning the bid with the rest of the UK’. ‘We have worked hard to develop a Torch that celebrates the Relay, and reflects the passion for London and the Olympic Games. We wanted to make the most of pioneering production technologies and to demonstrate the industrial excellence available in the UK – it's a Torch for our time’. ‘This is our opportunity to represent the UK, in design terms, and we are incredibly proud to be doing so’.