The Thorvald Bindesbøll Medal (Danish: Thorvald Bindesbøll Medaljen) is an award granted annually by the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts for excellence in the fields of applied art and industrial design. The medal was established in 1979 in connection with the 75th anniversary of Thorvald Bindesbøll's design of the Carlsberg Pilsner label. Designed by Frode B. Bahnsen on the basis of a model by Paul Gernes, it has been awarded since 1981.

On March 30 2023 the presentation ceremony took place in the banquet hall at Charlottenborg, Denmark.

Niels Gammelgaard Acceptance Speech

Thank you to the Royal Danish Academy Council for presenting me with this fine medal and the recognition that comes with it.

In January 1970, 53 years ago, I earned my degree in design right here at Charlottenborg after having studied for three and a half years at Erik Herløv's Department of Industrial Design.

The Academy Council's motivation for awarding me the Thorvald Bindesbøll medal is, amongst other accolades,  that I have made "Furniture classics for the people".

This description couldn't make me more proud as it is exactly what I have always tried to achieve in my career.

However, I wish my mentor, and founder of IKEA, Ingvar Kamprad, would have been able to experience this moment together with me. May he rest in peace.

When my 30 years of collaboration with Ingvar and IKEA started in 1975 the first thing he told me back then was:”                                                                                                                                                        

You, with your fine exquisite education from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, must now do a little good for the many people". 

I hope that by accepting this honor, that I have lived up to the ambitions Ingvar Kamprad had for me, and I know he would be very proud on my behalf - as I am myself today - to receive this medal.

Thank you very much.