The new project for the dissemination of Galician design, promoted by the Regional Government of Galicia within the framework of the Design for Innovation and Sustainability Programme 2024 - DIFERENZA, has recently been presented, and has two main pillars: an exhibition open to the public and the publication 'ABC Design'.

Own forms

The exhibition 'Own Forms. Design for innovation in Galicia' is located at the headquarters of the Didac Foundation (Calle de Pérez Constanti, 12, in Santiago de Compostela) where it can be visited until 16 December. Visiting hours are Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on Saturday by appointment.

The exhibition is expected to travel after that date and may be visited in different Galician cities. It displays historical designs, material and visual reflections on design and sustainability, innovative materials and examples of companies that are supporting innovation with design as a driving force.

A selection of about twenty innovative materials created in the Galician rural environment make up the exhibition, which was already part of "Imperdibles", the Cotec Foundation’s festival of innovation to confront depopulation, the Meeting of design for business innovation and other initiatives.

‘ABC-Diseño’ (ABC-Design)

Along with the exhibition, the publication 'ABC-Diseño’ has also recently taken off. Dictionary of design and innovation in Galicia', which, along the same lines as the exhibition, is a compendium of success stories that represent the best of the talent of professionals in design and natural and sustainable resources and materials. The dictionary can be consulted and downloaded in pdf format from the Galician Innovation Agency website via the following link: Publicacións e mostras - Axencia Galega de Innovación (xunta.gal).

It is a living publication starting with 140 references and with the vocation of progressively incorporating new entries through a process of continuous updates. Therefore, design professionals who feel that they should be included in the dictionary are invited to submit their information for inclusion in the document.

Other publications

Within the framework of the same programme and with the aim of continuing to disseminate best practices in the incorporation of design as a tool for innovation and competitiveness, the Galicia Innovation and Design Awards and the publications 'Galicia. Design as a driving force', 'Design as a driving force. Success stories in Galicia' and 'Possible futures. Design for innovation in the post-COVID era’ are also noteworthy.

The historical perspective offered in the publication Galicia. Design as a driving force does justice to the Galician companies that have had the vision to use design to grow in their innovative capacity and competitiveness, as well as to the professionals who have made it possible.

Starting with the vision of Isaac Díaz Pardo and Luís Seoane as essential reference points, one journeys through the legacy of the Laboratorio de Formas de Galicia (Galician Forms Lab), the commercial poster design, the brand image of the industrial pioneers, the identity and the standardisation of design.

The publication Design as a driving force. Success stories in Galicia explores the projects and initiatives of leading Galician companies that already have a long track record in terms of strategic commitment to design as a tool for competitiveness. 

Estrella Galicia, Finsa, Selmark, Pazo de Vilane, Bico de Xeado, D-due, Cabreiroá, Paco&Lola, Castrosúa, Martínez Otero and Orballo are just a few of the references made in this book. Through the analysis of their successful experiences, this publication not only seeks to highlight their value, but also the inspirational effect they can have on other Galician companies.

In 'Possible futures. Design for innovation in the post-COVID era' fourteen Galician professionals who are national and international references in the field of strategic design offer their vision on the scenario created by the coronavirus crisis.

Alberto Barreiro, Manuel Vázquez, Nuria Carballo, Noemí Cortizas, Rubén Ramos Balsa, Pablo García-Bodaño, Dani Bembibre, David Silvosa, Roberto Núñez, Iván Mato, Coca Rivas, Anxo López and Marta Verde build this collective vision moderated by David Barro in which the future of strategic design, service design, experience design, graphic design and communication, space design and industrial design is explored.