Valencia hosts the International Design Day 2025
An event organized by Andreu World in collaboration with the Fundació del Disseny, the World Design Organization, and the City Council of Valencia
València hosted the celebration of World Industrial Design Day 2025, an international event organized by Andreu World in collaboration with the Fundació del Disseny, the World Design Organization, and the City Council of València through València Innovation Capital.
For over 16 hours, content was streamed from different parts of the world, with La Harinera serving as the main venue and a program focused on ethics in design. The event was inaugurated by Paula Llobet, Councillor for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction, who emphasized: 'Design is a driver of economic, social, and environmental transformation. València offers an ideal environment to promote projects with real impact'.Ester Olivas, Director General for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, added: 'This event invites us to rethink how we design, guided by values such as sustainability, inclusion, and social commitment'.
The day’s dynamic program, conducted in English by Andrea Springer, Director of Programs and Communications at WDO, and Xavi Calvo, Director of the Fundació del Disseny of the Valencian Community, began with a welcome address by David Rosa, Director of València Innovation Capital; Thomas Garvey, President of the World Design Organization; and Jesús Llinares, CEO of Andreu World. Llinares emphasized that 'celebrating World Industrial Design Day in València, alongside global leaders, is both an honor and an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to ethical and responsible design. At Andreu World, we believe that design should not only be beautiful or functional, but also conscious and committed to the planet and society. This event is not just a celebration—it’s a call to action to use the power of design with wisdom and purpose'.
The 2025 edition of World Industrial Design Day positions València as a global hub for ethical design, reinforcing its role as a creative city and a benchmark for innovation
Ethics in design education, up for debate
The first round table 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 the World Design Organization as part of an international program. 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 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.
Download the event images at the following link.
