About

Tom arrived in Britain from Czechoslovakia in 1942 (the middle of WWII).

In 1962 he took charge of Ogle Design as MD and Chief Designer after previously working in the Aircraft Industry, Ford, Hotpoint and Phillips.

Tom has given many talks on design and tutored at the Royal College of Art. A constant in his career has been his love of children - designing and making toys, running workshops and writing books for them. He has honorary degrees from Loughborough and Hertfordshire Universities. He retired from Ogle in 1999 but still sees opportunities for improving many designs.

Tom lives and designs in Cambridge.

Affiliations & Awards

• DLC Loughborough College of Aeronautical Engineering

• Hon Ds Loughborough and Herts Universities

• Tutor RCA

• Member British Toymakers Guild

• Winner IBCAM national car design competition

• Former Fellow Chartered Society of Designers

• Former Fellow RSA

• OBE

Quotes

‘The greatest designer you’ve never heard of’ Top Gear magazine.

‘Responsible for some of the best known British designs of the twentieth century’ Prince Philip Designers Prize.

‘The gallery at Clare Hall Cambridge was transformed with what was probably the most diverse range of materials that has ever been shown. It was clear that Tom has a tremendous sense of fun, and he gets great enjoyment transmitting his entertaining ideas to others’ Robert Anderson, Director.

‘I think one day you will be famous’ from thank you letter by a five year old after a workshop at his school. (I was more than 70 then)

‘No product I have designed has ever been shown at the V&A’ Tom Karen