Lightbulb takes design of the year top prize

A sculpted low-energy lightbulb by a British designer scooped an international design prize today.

Samuel Wilkinson and product design company Hulger fought off competition from more than 90 entries for the title of Brit Insurance design of the year 2011.

The Plumen 001 energy-saving bulb was picked as the judges' overall favourite from seven category winners after its stylish, innovative appearance impressed the panel.

Jury chairman Stephen Bayley is due to present the award at a ceremony later today at the Design Museum in London.

Praising the winning entry, he said: "The Plumen lightbulb is a good example of the ordinary thing done extraordinarily well, bringing a small measure of delight to an everyday product."

The bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts eight times longer than an incandescent one.

Deyan Sudjic, director of the Design Museum, labelled it a worthy winner that was both "beautiful and smart".

He said: "It's a bulb that doesn't need a shade and so goes a long way to make up for the loss of the Edison original."

Panel member Will Self said: "If you'll forgive the pun, they are definitely a light leading the way... We felt these bulbs were neat, appealing and covetable in the right, affordable way."

The winning and shortlisted designs will be on show at the Brit Insurance Designs of the Year exhibition at the Design Museum until August 7.