Recap 2024: Projects and milestones

And once again, the inevitable happens. We bid farewell to a year and inherently create space for all that the next one will bring. We pause and think, evaluate the highs, the lows and everything in between, learning from it all to continue walking along a path that, in the case of our Design Foundation, now spans two years of transversal work for and through design in its broadest sense.

2024 has undoubtedly been a year of consolidating projects, connecting with other entities, placing Valencia on the international design map, and receiving recognition locally and nationally.

Over the past twelve months, we have worked tirelessly on our major projects—those that bring together both professionals and the general public—ensuring that design, in its many forms, reaches society as we promised when laying the foundation of the Fundació. In February, the streaming platform Filmin premiered the documentary Valencia 22. City of Design, directed by Andreu Signes. This work showcases and highlights what it meant for Valencia to be named World Design Capital, interweaving testimonials with a comprehensive overview of the events that shaped 2022.

Two months later, in April, coinciding with the 59th edition of the Fira del Llibre de València, we presented the first volume of Scenes of Valencian Design, published by the Fundació, written by Eugenio Viñas and Lidia Caro, and designed by Iban Ramón. This book tells 14 stories that start with an anecdote and expand into a broader narrative, illustrating the historical journey and significance of Valencian design.

In June, we celebrated the fifth edition of the Paradís festival, curated once again by Wences Sanz. This inspiring design event brought together a diverse audience eager to hear from national and international speakers across various creative disciplines.

Another major highlight of 2024 was the València Design Fest, now a staple in the city’s cultural calendar. With a program that bridges art, architecture, and crafts—thanks to the exceptional work of Estudio Savage and their Time and Matter initiative—the festival turned September into a celebration of design.

Finally, the Future of Fashion congress, curated for the second year by journalist Patricia Moreno, faced unexpected challenges due to a severe storm in October. Despite the initial cancellation, the event was successfully rescheduled and adapted into a hybrid format, offering live connections with international speakers and a mix of in-person and online audiences at The Terminal Hub.

Additionally, in 2024, we collaborated on the exhibition Tot Cor. Art, Design, and Craft Speak of Love, a solidarity project centered around ceramic hearts designed by Pepa Reverter and customized by various artists. We also partnered with Turiart to launch València Art & Design Walks, a series of tours showcasing the city’s design legacy through its architecture, interiors, and creative spaces.

This year also brought significant recognition for our work, including awards at the Laus Awards, ADCV Awards, ADI Cultura Awards, and BID Awards 2024 ceremonies, highlighting projects like Design and Health, World Design Capital Valencia 2022, and Iconos del Diseño Valenciano.

On an international level, Valencia joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, with our Design Foundation advising the City Council of Valencia. This milestone took us to global forums in Braga, Shanghai, and Asahikawa, where Valencia’s achievements were warmly received.

From Taiwan to Frankfurt, Canton, and San Diego-Tijuana, the Foundation has worked tirelessly to promote Valencian design on the world stage. Locally, we continued to collaborate with cultural, educational, and professional entities, ensuring that design remains integral to Valencia’s identity.

A leap year of 366 days, filled with achievements and milestones that reflect our daily commitment to design, driven by the team and collaborators of the Design Foundation of the Region of Valencia.