Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby founded their East London studio in 1996, after studying architecture together at the Royal College of Art. Their approach is characterised by its emphasis on experimentation and innovation and an exploratory attitude to materiality and colour.

From these areas of focus emerge solutions that reflect the close relationship of their work with industrial processes and new technologies, but also its affinities with fine art. The strength of Barber and Osgerby's creative partnership has led to collaborations with some of the world's most progressive companies and a diversity of output that encompasses architecture, interiors, sculpture, product and exhibition design. Amongst many professional accolades, Barber and Osgerby received the Jerwood prize in 2004 and in 2007 were awarded the status of Royal Designers for Industry. In 2013 they were appointed to the Order of the British Empire, for services to the design industry.

Examples of their work are held in the permanent collections of major museums around the world, such as the Design Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, to name a few. In 2001 Barber and Osgerby founded Universal to function in parallel with their primary studio. Focused on the fields of architecture, interiors and exhibition design, Universal is now recognised as one of the world's most innovative creative design consultancies. In 2012 they launched Map, a strategy-based industrial design consultancy, Map.