Valencia strengthens its international creative leadership by hosting World Industrial Design Day 2025

Valencia was the epicenter of global design as it hosted, for the first time in Spain, World Industrial Design Day, an event broadcast live around the world and dedicated to discussing the ethical principles of design. The event was organized by Andreu World and World Design Organization, in collaboration with the Fundació del Disseny and the Valencia City Council through Valencia Innovation Capital.

With La Harinera as its main venue and the backing of València Innovation Capital, World Industrial Design Day 2025 has turned the city into a global meeting point to address the major ethical challenges facing the discipline: sustainability, accessibility, ethics, technology, and design training.

Valencia (Spain), 27 June 2025 — Valencia has once again become the epicentre of a global design with the celebration of World Industrial Design Day 2025, an international event organized by Andreu World and World Design Organization, in collaboration with the Fundació del Disseny de la Comunitat Valenciana and the Valencia City Council, through Valencia Innovation Capital. For more than 16 hours, content was broadcast from different parts of the world, with a central connection from La Harinera, making Valencia the host city for the main event with a program focused on ethics in design.

The event was backed by the City Council of Valencia. The day was launched by Paula Llobet, Councilor for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction, who highlighted the strategic importance of design as a driver of transformation: “Often, certain sectors are unaware of the transformative impact that design can have in addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges. That is why it is essential to generate synergies between companies and the creative ecosystem. In Valencia, we have an innovative and dynamic environment that is ideal for promoting projects that not only add economic value but also contribute to collective well-being, positioning the city as an international benchmark in design-related innovation.”

For her part, Ester Olivas, Director General of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the Valencian Community, emphasized that “this event represents a unique opportunity to reflect on the shared responsibility that exists around the world regarding ethical design. It is a time to rethink how we design, based on values that place sustainability, inclusion, and social commitment at the center. And there is no better place to do so than Valencia, a city that has established itself as a creative force and international benchmark in the field of design.”

The intense programme for the day, led in English by Andrea Springer, Programmes and Communications Director at WDO, and Xavi Calvo, director of the Fundació del Disseny de la Comunitat Valenciana, began with a welcome from David Rosa, director of València Innovation Capital, Thomas Garvey, President of World Design Organization, and Jesús Llinares, CEO of Andreu World, who emphasized that “celebrating World Industrial Design Day in Valencia, alongside global leaders, is a source of pride and an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to ethical and responsible design. At Andreu World, we believe that design should not only be beautiful and functional, but also conscious and committed to the planet and society. This event is not just a celebration; it is a call to action to use the power of design with wisdom and purpose.”

Ethics in design education, up for debate

The first roundtable discussion of the day focused on a key issue for the future of design: how is ethics taught in schools? Moderated by journalist Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, questions were addressed on whether ethics is truly integrated into curricula, its impact on students’ mindsets, and how to cultivate the “moral imagination” of designers. Participants included Pedro Fuentes (UPV), Nacho Lavernia (EASD València), Carmen García (student at CEU UCH University), and Nita Yudita (international designer with a critical and social perspective). All agreed on the need to go beyond theory to incorporate ethics as a cross-cutting theme in creative education.

Towards a code of ethics for design in Spain

The second panel proposed a much-needed debate: how to define a common ethical framework for the profession. Once again moderated by Zabalbeascoa, the conversation brought together representatives from professional associations and guilds, including Clara del Portillo (ADCV), Sergio Sánchez (READ), Diana Artíguez (CDICV), Carlos Salazar (CTAV), and Inma Bermúdez, winner of Spain’s Premio Nacional de Diseño. Key issues were discussed, such as ethical limits in commissions, economic dilemmas, and the importance of creating standards that protect both designers and society. Everyone shared real experiences about difficult decisions and agreed that ethics must be an active part of professional practice.

A proactive look at the ethical debate

Designer Kike Correcher opened the second block of the day with a direct and insightful speech that invited reflection on the meaning of design today from a practical perspective. Entitled “A proactive look at the ethical debate in design,” his speech—which straddled professional experience and critical engagement—questioned the limits and responsibilities of design today and gave rise to one of the most inspiring moments of the day. In this context, he presented nine design patterns that illustrate how design can inspire people to become their best selves, avoid harmful situations, and overcome social inequalities by adapting to different contexts and promoting more equitable and healthy environments.

Design and industry: sustainability, impact, and responsibility

The last panel, focused on industry, addressed how to integrate ethics into business decisions. With Zabalbeascoa once again leading the conversation, speakers included Jesús Llinares (Andreu World), Benjamin Wilson (Braun), Ana Segovia (Odosdesign), and Sonia Manchanda (SPREAD Design, India). Issues such as ethics in production, responsible consumption, process redesign, and the boundaries between marketing and real commitment were discussed. All agreed on the urgency of moving from discourse to action and on the role of design as a driver of positive transformation in companies.

A global event with a legacy

The event was broadcast globally by World Design Organization as part of an international programme. This was the first time that World Industrial Design Day was celebrated in a Spanish city, and it served to consolidate Valencia’s legacy as World Design Capital in 2022 and current City of Design in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This World Industrial Design Day was attended by a wide range of institutional, educational, business, and professional representatives, confirming Valencia as a leading city in innovation, sustainability, and ethical thinking through design.

During the break, a capsule of Andreu World’s Circular Design® Challenge was broadcast, and the event culminated with conclusions by the moderator of the round tables, Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, and a celebratory cocktail reception with more than 200 attendees.

Since 2008, World Industrial Design Day has been celebrated annually on June 29. This year, it was brought forward to Friday, June 27, to allow the event to be held for the first time in Spain, reaffirming Valencia as an international benchmark for design, after being named World Design Capital in 2022 and UNESCO City of Design in 2023.

About Andreu World

Andreu World is a global leader in sustainable design, recognized as the first company in the furniture sector to certify its entire product catalog under the Cradle to Cradle standards for the circular economy. It operates as a Zero Waste and Carbon Neutral company and is B Corp certified. Founded in 1955, Andreu World is an international family-owned brand specializing in high-quality sustainable seating and tables for offices, workspaces, restaurants, hotels, residential, and outdoor settings. It has collaborated with internationally renowned designers such as Philippe Starck and Patricia Urquiola, combining timeless design with tangible environmental responsibility, using FSC® timber and recycled materials. With more than 600 employees, 4 factories, and 33 showrooms worldwide, it operates in more than 90 countries and is part of the Forum of Renowned Spanish Brands. It has received international design awards such as the Red Dot and Spain’s Premio Nacional de Diseño, and it promotes emerging talent through its prestigious International Design Contest.

About World Design Organization

World Design Organization (WDO)® is a globally recognized non-governmental organization that aims to promote and develop the discipline of industrial design and its ability to improve economic, social, cultural, and environmental quality of life. Founded in 1957, WDO serves more than 215 member organizations worldwide, engaging thousands of individual designers through its programming and innovative initiatives that champion “design for a better world”.

About the Fundació del Disseny de la Comunitat Valenciana

La The Fundació del Disseny (Design Foundation) is an organization dedicated to promoting, fostering, and disseminating design in institutions, companies, and industry, acting as a matchmaker that connects opportunities between organizations and design professionals. With a firm commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social impact, the Fundació continues to work to strengthen the role of design as a key tool for transformation in the Valencian Community. The work carried out by the Foundation in terms of positioning, disseminating, promoting, and celebrating design as a legacy of World Design Capital Valencia 2022 adds to its support for the culture of knowledge in the creative, economic, and social spheres, with the aim of emphasizing the importance of design as a tool for creating value. It is a necessary tool for increasing the competitiveness of companies and contributing to a better quality of life for citizens.

The Fundació del Disseny de la Comunitat Valenciana carries out important work to promote the internationalization of the creative and industrial territory of Valencia, and is a member of the World Design Organization, a member of BEDA (The Bureau of European Design Associations) as a Design Promotion Institution, official partner of the New European Bauhaus initiative launched by the European Commission, and collaborates with the Valencia City Council in representing Valencia City of Design in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.