From September 12 to October 16, València will once again become an international hub of creativity with the third edition of València Design Fest, the major event promoted by the Design Foundation of the Region of Valencia.

The festival brings together more than 60 activities open to all audiences. Exhibitions, talks, workshops, guided tours, screenings, and gatherings will shape the València Design Fest program around three major themes: craftsmanship, urban design, and sustainability. In addition, the 2025 program revives the most avant-garde legacy of Valencian design with the line “Disruptive Design,” connecting past and present to project a critical and contemporary vision of creativity that takes us back to the 1980s.

The presentation event, held this Tuesday at the MuVIM, was inaugurated by local and national authorities and attended by a notable representation of the Valencian design sector, including institutions, schools, cultural agents, and companies. “València Design Fest reaffirms the city’s role as a creative hub of international reference and allows us to continue projecting the legacy of World Design Capital 2022, raising València’s global profile as a leader in innovation and creativity,” said Xavi Calvo, director of the Design Foundation.

The full program of València Design Fest 2025 is now available at: www.valenciadesignfest.com



Contemporary Craft: «Tiempo + Materia»

Within its own program «Tiempo + Materia», València Design Fest brings together all content linked to contemporary craft, curated once again by Estudio Savage as one of the main themes of the festival, with an exhibition and a set of experiences and talks around craft creation. This year’s guiding thread: gastronomy and design.

The main «Tiempo + Materia» exhibition will open at the MuVIM, Museu Valencià de la Il·lustració i de la Modernitat, on September 12, the official opening day of the festival, and will remain open for one month, showcasing works from national and international studios and workshops. The curators Estudio Savage will also lead several guided tours, announced on the festival website. As a special preview, one day before the opening, on Thursday September 11, the Barreira school, one of the institutions linked to València Design Fest’s craft program, will host an inaugural lecture at its Gran Vía Fernando el Católico headquarters by Fondo Supper Club, the creative studio that uses gastronomy as a tool to explore artistic practices.

Adrián Salvador of Estudio Savage, curators of «Tiempo + Materia», highlighted that this program “seeks to demonstrate that craftsmanship is not only about creating objects, but also an intangible manifestation with the power to connect past and present, tradition and innovation, and the individual with the collective.” Lucas Zaragosi, also of Estudio Savage, added that “this approach allows new generations of contemporary creators to reinterpret the craft, taking it to new frontiers, exploring its relevance in an increasingly globalized, digital, sensorial, and experiential world.”

As for this year’s talks, experiences, and workshops, participants include the artisan ice cream shop Campo a través on September 16 at Merkato Hub, Vidrio Sorribes on September 17 at Barreira, Steinbeisser on September 18, Clara Diez with Jesús Terrés on September 23 at CookTL, Canoalab on September 23, Estudio Savage at the Ágora Nude of Feria Hábitat on September 30, and Celler del Roure, once again with Vidrio Sorribes, on October 7 at off_line café.



Architecture and the City

Urban and architectural design once again takes center stage with a series of activities reflecting on how the relationship between architecture and humans has evolved.

Through debates and other discussion formats, contemporary examples will be presented under a common leitmotif: a more human practice, where people are the main asset of architecture. Highlights include conversations on new perspectives on architecture: Bona Fide and Clara Sáez on September 17 at Odosdesign, and “Intimate Architecture” on September 26 at Merkato Hub.

One of this year’s key venues will be the Colegio Territorial de Arquitectos de València, which will host the Neuroarchitecture Day on September 22, in collaboration with Fundación Arquia. Speakers will include Carmen Linares, Soledat Berbegal, and Nuria Matarredona, while Ana Mombiedro will present her book Espacio, cuerpo y mente. María Aucejo will give her presentation on September 24, and the second edition of “La Ciudad Generosa” will take place on October 14.

There will also be children’s workshops on architecture and the city, on September 26 with Silvana Andrés at the MuVIM.

Another milestone of this year’s València Design Fest is the collaboration with Concéntrico festival, an urban innovation lab that invites reflection on the city through architecture and design, proposing new collective uses of public space each year from Logroño. The Technical School of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of València will host an exhibition on Concéntrico starting September 25, displaying one of the pieces from its past edition. In addition, the new Veneno space will present the special 10th anniversary book of the festival directed by Javier Peña in Logroño, on October 13.



Fashion and Disruptive Design

The València Design Fest program also takes visitors back to the 1980s, when València established itself as a hub of disruptive design in Spain. In a context of cultural effervescence and the opening of previously existing borders, innovative movements emerged that broke away from established norms. The Design Foundation proposes to recover that essence with a series of activities organized in collaboration with the Arxiu Valencià del Disseny, showcasing some of the protagonists of fashion and architecture of that era.

On September 15, there will be a gathering and roundtable with some of the members of the brand Tráfico de Modas about Valencian fashion in the 70s and 80s, with a visit to the exhibition of the same name at La Nau. Also at La Nau, on September 19, the series “Confessions of Design” will kick off, bringing two generations face to face: MacDiego will be “confessed” by Elena Yuste and Sheila Moreno about the Valencian creative sector and its past and present challenges.

On September 25, La Filmoteca will screen The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson, followed by a talk with representatives of La Filmoteca, designer Carmen Baselga, and Sara Mansanet, director of La Mostra de València, discussing the intersection of cinema, architecture, and design. Continuing with screenings, on October 3, the School of Art and Design of València will host a showing of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown with a cine-forum on cinema and fashion in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

Also joining this retrospective is Bombas Gens, Centre d’Arts Digitals, which from October 2 will open the major immersive exhibition “La Ruta: modernity, culture, and chaos,” inviting visitors to revisit a historic chapter that marked a turning point—a revolution that forever changed the way leisure and nightlife were understood in València.


Future of Fashion

Under the motto From ideas to action, Future of Fashion returns on October 16 to close València Design Fest. This international meeting on sustainable fashion serves as a platform for creation, experimentation, and knowledge exchange through design, focusing on the transformation of the fashion industries.

Future of Fashion will take place at La Harinera thanks to the collaboration of València Innovation Capital. Now in its fourth edition, and curated by Patricia Moreno Barberá, it continues as one of the legacies of València World Design Capital, serving again as an international “think tank” to debate the transformation of the fashion industries and their sustainable impact.

The first edition of the Social Design Distinctions is now a reality, and with it, we have focused on what truly matters: design with impact, with purpose, and with the ability to transform society.

More than 200 people joined us at the ceremony last Thursday at Teatre El Musical in Valencia, which was not only a ceremony for the delivery of distinctions but also a declaration of intent. The talent and career of Manolo Bañó and Hilary Cottam, two leading figures who show us that design is much more than aesthetics: it is a tool for change, were recognized. We also felt proud of the young Valencian talent represented by the exemplary projects of María José Bustos Garnica and Juan Manuel Pedro Aránega, who prove that the future of social design is in good hands from the design and architecture schools of Valencia.

On March 6th, the Design Foundation of the Region of Valencia will host the first edition of the Social Design Distinctions at Teatre El Musical in València. These awards aim to highlight the impact of design as a tool for social transformation. In this inaugural edition, the careers of Hilary Cottam and Manolo Bañó will be recognized for their contributions to social design, along with student projects “Fauna, the Toy of Natural Parks” by Juan Manuel Pedro Aránega and “Educational Environments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” by María José Bustos Garnica.

The Design Foundation of the Region of Valencia takes a step forward in the institutionalization of design by hosting the first edition of the Social Design Distinctions. This new initiative aligns with our commitment to the cultural and social promotion of design, as well as its contribution to strengthening and advancing the academic field. The recognition is divided into two professional distinctions and two awards for student projects, all linked to sustainability, social design, equality, innovation, ethics, and a strong commitment to design-driven change.

The selection process for these distinctions involved deliberation on strategic and policy-driven objectives, focusing on social design that addresses class and gender issues. Three key criteria were considered: the scope of professional impact, the significance of the projects, and the promotion of social design as a specialized discipline. Based on these criteria, the selection committee has chosen British social designer Hilary Cottam and Valencian designer Manolo Bañó as the recipients of the 2025 professional distinctions. The student distinctions will be awarded to “Fauna, the Toy of Natural Parks” by Juan Manuel Pedro Aránega from Escola d’Art i Superior de Disseny de Castelló and “Educational Environments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Design Criteria and Strategies” by María José Bustos Garnica from Universitat Politècnica de València.

To conclude the event, Manolo Bañó will deliver a keynote speech, sharing insights from his 25-year career dedicated to social design. His extensive experience as both a designer and educator has established him as one of Spain’s leading industrial designers.

The 2025 Social Design Distinctions ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 6, at 8:00 PM at Teatre El Musical (Plaça del Rosari 3, València). Admission is free, with prior registration required via the following form: https://fundaciodisseny.typeform.com/social2025

Local and International Recognition of Social Design

These distinctions are established as an annual initiative with the goal of serving as both a professional reference and an educational exercise for society. They send a universal message tied to social values while also acting as a catalyst for future generations. The selection committee—composed of Vicent Martínez, Amparo Bertomeu, and Pepe Cosín from the executive committee of the Design Foundation of the Region of Valencia; Kike Correcher and Luis Calabuig as board members of the foundation; and external professionals Xènia Viladàs, Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, and Lilian González—chose Manolo Bañó and Hilary Cottam as the 2025 recipients, recognizing their global impact from a local and international perspective.

The committee was established by the foundation’s Board of Trustees and will invite prominent international figures each year to participate in selecting and honoring both professional designers and student projects. The foundation highlights the invaluable contributions of experts such as consultant and professor Xènia Viladàs, journalist, art historian, and design advocate Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, and Mexican designer Lilian González in launching this initiative.

Social Design from Valencian Schools and Universities

Additionally, the same selection committee reviewed over one hundred student submissions from various institutions and universities across the Region of Valencia over the past two years, ultimately selecting two outstanding projects. The organization specifically acknowledges the dedication of Valencian schools and the high quality of the final projects.

“Fauna, the Toy of Natural Parks” is the Bachelor’s Degree Final Project in Graphic Design by Juan Manuel Pedro Aránega from the Escola d’Art i Superior de Disseny de Castelló, supervised by Ester Parra Sebastià. The project proposes an educational and inclusive toy that connects the Natural Parks of Castellón with educational centers, going beyond one-time visits. Through a graphic system and an advertising campaign, it aims to position these spaces as key destinations for family leisure, integrating exercises and materials designed with educators to foster literacy, creativity, and motor skills, while ensuring classroom inclusivity. Additionally, the visual identity was developed in collaboration with students from CEE Baix Maestrat, validating its educational impact through workshops in schools.

Meanwhile, “Educational Environments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Design Criteria and Strategies” by María José Bustos Garnica is her Master’s Final Project for the Advanced Architecture, Landscape, Urbanism, and Design degree, supervised by José Luis Baró Zarzo and Ana Pascual Rubio at the School of Architecture of the Universitat Politècnica de València. This research examines how architecture influences the education of children with ASD, proposing design criteria that enhance their well-being and development. Given the lack of specific regulations, the project analyzes spatial, sensory, and emotional needs, evaluates existing adapted educational centers, and establishes strategies for more inclusive environments. Through a comprehensive approach, it extracts architectural guidelines that facilitate learning and autonomy, promoting accessible and universal architecture.

During the ceremony, special recognition will be given to the mentorship behind these student projects, as well as to their respective schools.

The design of the professional distinctions themselves will be unveiled during the event. These unique pieces have been created by Matterica, a Valencian studio that blends craftsmanship and design to produce jewelry that bridges tradition and modernity. Another Valencian company, the winery Dominio de la Vega, will provide the honorary wine reception following the awards ceremony, featuring its first organic wines—a project deeply rooted in sustainability and guided by designer Inma Bermúdez.

The ceremony is made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of the Cultural Action Delegation of the València City Council, Teatre El Musical (TEM), and Caixa Popular, a financial institution committed to promoting social values and fostering their development within the schools of the Region of Valencia.

 

· Thursday, March 6, at 8:00 PM
· Doors open at 7:30 PM
· Teatre El Musical (Plaça del Rosari 3, València)
· Free tickets and admission with registration at: https://fundaciodisseny.typeform.com/social2025

 

UPDATE: Read the coverage of the Distinctions ceremony > HERE

• During the month of design, València Design Fest will come together, led by Fundació del Disseny, the Feria Hábitat València, Textilhogar Home Textiles Premium and Espacio Cocina SICI competitions by Feria Valencia and the 15th Edition of València Disseny Week (VDW-15). , organized by the Association of Designers of the Valencian Community.
• The presentation event took place at CaixaForum Madrid, with the presence and support of a large number of agents from the design sector on a national scale.

València will become the international epicenter of design thanks to a month full of activities dedicated to this creative and cultural industry. The program will include exhibitions, fairs, conferences, workshops, presentations, projects led by emerging talents and screenings, among many other initiatives. Between September 10 and October 10, the city of València Design Fest, promoted by the Design Foundation of the Valencian Community, the major events Feria Hábitat València, Textilhogar Home Textiles Premium and Espacio Cocina SICI, and the celebration of the 15th edition of València Disseny Week, a reference initiative organized by the Association of Designers of the Valencian Community (ADCV) with a participatory program, co-created together with different agents from the sector. Events that will bring together professionals, companies and national and international institutions in Valencia who will enjoy, together with citizens, local talent, the creative effervescence of our city and the latest trends in design from the Mediterranean.

Valencia Design Fest

Organized by the Fundació del Disseny, València Design Fest’s main objective is to continue projecting the Valencian Community on a national and international scale as a territory indisputably linked to design. This year it presents, among the most notable initiatives, the second edition of “Time and Matter”, an exhibition of contemporary crafts curated by Estudio Savage, which seeks to bring contemporary crafts closer to the general public. A space for reflection where you can see how, thanks to design, craftsmanship has a valid path of development and, above all, the permanence of materials, techniques and production processes.

The program will also include the screening of several documentaries, among which “Mariscal. The joy of living”, the story of a man who conquered the world and had to lose everything to find himself again; conversations between creative minds – Erik Harley (expert in Urban Studies, known for being the creator of Pormishuevismo), Nuria Moliner (architect and communicator) or Juan Ferrero (partner and CEO at Ramón Esteve Estudio), among others -; as well as the presentation of publications such as Quadern 02 of the Arxiu Valencià del Disseny, an edition on the most emblematic icons of Valencian design, those who built the imaginary of what good design developed in our land entails, which projected it nationally and internationally. and its impact on contemporary culture; or workshops like the one that Cuadernos Rubio will lead.

Among the satellite activities of the festival are the TotCor exhibition, a collaborative project signed by Pepa Reverter in which several artists have designed pieces around the figure of the “cor” (heart in Valencian) to launch a message of solidarity; a “Square Table” from the series organized by Sergio Membrillas, events that seek to energize the Valencian scene by inviting notable personalities to debate a topic; as well as several conferences and activities led by the partners of the Fundació del Disseny, such as APE Grupo – who will present the report “The New Habitat 24-25”.

As a great novelty, the Fundació del Disseny will present the Distinctions for Social Design, as well as a series of scholarships for young professionals to promote the social nature in the field of design.

Top-level names and brands such as Camper, Álvaro Catalán de Ocón or Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, among others, will complete the ambitious program.

The great call for Feria Valencia

Feria Valencia will be one of the great epicenters of design month with the celebration, from September 30 to October 3, of the large international calls around the habitat sectors: Feria Hábitat València, Textilhogar Home Textiles Premium and Espacio Cocina SICI . An event that plans to bring together an offer of close to a thousand exhibiting companies on an exhibition surface of more than 90,000 square meters, corresponding to the eight pavilions on Levels 2 and 3 of Feria Valencia.

The call comes with many new features in each of the contests. Thus, Feria Hábitat Valencia will expand its scope of action towards the hotel industry this year, with the signing of a collaboration agreement with the Hotel Technology Institute through which a series of conferences will be held around this industry with the presence of interior designers, designers, architects and managers of the main hotel chains. Furthermore, within this segment, the prestigious designer Héctor Ruiz will create a contract space with various proposals around this sector. Habitat will also add to this call a new pavilion dedicated to the Interior Decoration sector, with the presence of the main national and international firms in this field. An offer that is incorporated into the best proposals of avant-garde design, which will once again occupy two entire pavilions, as well as the offer of indoor, outdoor furniture, lighting, upholstery and rest, as well as the program of conferences and conferences in around design and interior design that will be held at the Ágora nude.

For its part, Hábitat’s offer will be complemented with the best home textiles, upholstery and contract through the Textilhogar Home Textiles Premium contest, which will occupy part of pavilion 3 of Level 3 and which in 2024 will host an innovative space designed by the creative Sigfrido Serra with the help of the interiors magazine and in which various spaces will be integrated, such as the trends area, a ‘networking’ area and the ‘Boulevard’ of Editores.

The 360-degree vision around the habitat will be completed by the return of the SICI Espacio Cocina biennial, the only fair 100% specialized in kitchen furniture and equipment held in our country and which this year debuts an innovative setting by the designer Ximo Roca, who will convert pavilion 4 of Level 3 into a surprising container with fluid routes and which will host the best national and international offering in the sector, with a special emphasis on kitchen furniture manufacturing companies, which practically doubles their presence in the fair.

Valencia Design Week – 15th Edition (VDW-15)

The València Disseny Week of the Association of Designers of the Valencian Community (ADCV), the event with the longest history and participation in the sector, reaches its fifteenth edition in 2024 as a reference project for the dissemination, promotion and enhancement of the design of the Valencian Community. It is celebrated from September 30 to October 4.

The diversity and scope of the VDW program is based on an open and participatory process, in which professionals, studios, educational centers and companies in the sector intervene, supported by the representative entity of design companies in the Valencian Community, the ADCV. Together they give rise to dozens of proposals aimed at promoting interaction, coexistence, communication and mutual knowledge between design and citizens that are concentrated in the most stimulating week for Valencian design. Among them, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, routes and open-door sessions, talks and presentations, with different contents and approaches, from informative to those of a more festive nature.

The common thread that unites the VDW program is the valorization of design as a strategic ally in innovation and business competitiveness, in the evolution towards more sustainable, inclusive and integrative social and economic models and, with it, in the improvement of people’s well-being and quality of life. In line with this commitment, and with Valencia’s performance as European Green Capital in 2024, the VDW recovers this color for its image, with a vibrant green that invites you to share and enjoy this recognition.

Furthermore, based on these pillars of the VDW, the 15th Edition will host a project that represents a milestone: the inauguration of the new design core of the Valencian Community. The new headquarters of the ADCV will be located in the center of the city of Valencia, it has been defined and will be managed applying sustainable criteria and processes and will have a wide and diverse program dedicated to design throughout the year, with the same spirit as the VDW: design for all people.

Among the notable events of the 15th VDW, there is also the exhibition of finalist and award-winning projects in the VII edition of our awards, which will be hosted by the Las Naves innovation center from September 10 to October 17. Also linking with the Awards, the third day ‘Design with Positive Impact’ will be held, in which we will delve into the creative processes of the works recognized by the jury for their contribution to society and the environment by the and the professionals who have created them.

The program includes the presentation day of the fifth edition of the design, culture and sustainability festival in the Miradors de l’Horta orchard, which has the collaboration of the ADCV. Its objective is to reflect on sustainable development, food sovereignty and the relationship between agricultural and urban territories. This year’s motto is ‘L’Horta, capital of sustainable food’.

At VDW 2024, one of the consolidated and most anticipated actions by studios and the public is reinforced, the ‘Design Walks’, routes and open days in design studios, which have hung the ‘full capacity’ sign during their three previous editions.

The open call for the presentation of proposals that will define the complete program of the VDW 15th Edition will open in the last week of June.

Numerous agents from the sector attended the event.

The presentation has aroused the interest of several representatives of leading entities in the design sector at a state level, such as members of the College of Interior Designers of the Valencian Community, representatives of CasaDecor, the Forum of Renowned Spanish Brands, the Arquia Foundation, the General Council of Official Colleges of Decorators and Interior Designers or of the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH).

Authorities and representatives of ICEX, the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities were also present at the event.

• After a successful edition in 2023, in which the capacity of 300 people was reached, the Fundació del Disseny de la Comunitat Valenciana once again makes «Paradís» a reality, a day of inspiring talks on design, strategy and creativity, which brings together from its first edition in 2020 to national and international speakers from different creative disciplines.
• This year’s line up is surpassed once again and includes names such as Domestic Data Streamers, Marco Oggian, NYSU, fagerström, Espadaysantacruz, AREA17, El Descampao, BOL, Tina Touli, Pablo Amade and Democràcia.
• It will take place at CaixaForum València on June 15. The first 50 tickets that went on sale were sold out in less than 48 hours.

This year, «Paradís» continues to have humor as its common thread, but if in previous editions it invited attendees to stroll through the paradise of design, this time it will drag us directly into its depths. Lorena Sayavera as designer of the visual identity and Silvia Tack, who created the illustrations, have been in charge of this. The designer Lina Vila repeats as presenter and Wences Sanz, a design expert with extensive experience in organizing festivals linked to the creative sector, as curator.

«Paradís»’s main objective is to continue promoting the union spaces of the design ecosystem, as well as to continue supporting the culture of knowledge in the creative, economic and social spheres. It is a project of the Design Foundation of the Valencian Community that has the support of the Valencia City Council, the La Caixa Foundation and Impresum.

Tickets can now be purchased and include access to all presentations, coffee, food and free entry to all CaixaForum València exhibitions.

This year, as a novelty, in one of the sessions an episode of the El Descampao podcast will be recorded live, directed by Sergio Mena, winner in 2022 of the prestigious Ondas Award for best radio idea with his series Mirando al Espacio for «combining with great skill serialized narration and surreal humor in comic-pop style sound fiction».

All the information on the speakers and ticket sales here: https://paradisvalencia.com/

– It will be held on 13 and 14 November at CaixaForum València, as a meeting point for industry professionals and the general public with a high level of awareness about the subject.

– The entire programme has been designed under the slogan “From Ideas to Action”, including big names of sustainability activists or sustainability managers in international industry firms, such as the 2000s model and climate activist Lily Cole, or the head of sustainable design at Dior Men, Natalia Culebras.

– The congress is curated by Patricia Moreno, journalist and expert in fashion communication, and celebrates the role of the Valencian Community as the leading region in the textile industry in Spain in terms of its contribution to GDP.

 

Design will dominate the city’s cultural and professional calendar throughout the month of September.

Exhibitions, conferences, editorial presentations, thematic routes and audiovisual screenings open to all audiences will take place, alongside major events such as Feria Hábitat València, the TAC! Festival and Valencia Disseny Week.

The main objective of the festival promoted by the Fundació del Disseny (Design Foundation) is to continue highlighting the Valencian Community’s image on a national and international scale as a territory indisputably linked to design.

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September is synonymous with design in Valencia. The design sector’s calendar is once again focused on the Valencian Community throughout the month thanks to a programme that is open to both the general public and the professional sector. It was within this context, as a brand that embodies the spirit of València World Design Capital 2022, that València Design Fest was born. A festival that seeks to promote the best version of Mediterranean design and to value the conjunction of major events such as Feria Hábitat València, València Disseny Week (organised by the Designers’ Association of the Valencian Community) and the urban architecture festival TAC!.

 

València Design Fest will take place next September, a design festival that will bring together national and international companies and professionals to discover first-hand the local talent, the creative effervescence of our city and the latest trends in design from the Mediterranean. All this, thanks to an agenda of activities made up of events dedicated to the industry, as well as exhibitions, conferences, presentations, projects led by emerging talents, pop-up spaces, screenings and themed routes, among many other initiatives. A full programme that, following the success and interest generated in recent years, is being extended to a whole month of activity.

The consolidated Feria Hábitat València and Home Textiles Premium by Textilhogar -coinciding in date and location from 19 to 22 September at Feria Valencia- stand as annual events of reference and, together with the city’s design week (Valencia Disseny Week), will become the epicentre of València Design Fest, a brand that inherits all the spirit of World Design Capital Valencia 2022 and integrates the local agendas of the entire Valencian design ecosystem, but also of art galleries, cultural centres and entities linked to architecture and creativity in general.

In short, a month of experiential, participatory and open events to continue to demonstrate the link and international relevance of València with creativity and design.