Born: 1942
Education: Studied architecture at Gloucester College of Art 1960-68.
Career: In 1970 began work as a design consultant to Olivetti. 1980 founded SowdenDesign with his wife, designer Nathalie du Pasquier. Founding member of Memphis design group, a Milan based collective of furniture and product designers. Designed furniture and textiles for Memphis. 1988 designed wallpapers for Rasch & ceramics for Swid Powell. 1990s onwards concentrated on electrical appliances and consumer electronics for SowdenDesign.
Notable Designs: Memphis furniture including D'Antibes, 1981, Luxor, 1982, Palace, 1983. Dauphine calculator for Alessi, 1997.
Significance: Sowden is well known for his post modernist style and for his experiments with unconventional materials, kitsch motifs and use of gaudy colours.
