LOS DIEZ = Essential design

The first thing to be said about Javier Díez, industrial designer, and José Luis Díez, interior designer, is that they are a breath of fresh air in this age of celebrity. Ask them for a photograph of themselves and they politely decline, saying they have no desire to be recognized- rather they prefer that people know them by their work.

Their body of work is as extensive as it is impressive. From rugs and ceramics to street furniture and storage, LOS DIEZ is not to be type cast. Its designs impress by their essence as well as by their practicality and usability.

Javier, 40, and José Luis, 38, say that by deliberately eschewing the cult of personality, the more manufacturers are drawn to working with them. “What we want is to win commissions and have our designs put into manufacture. Then people can use the products and gain pleasure from them”. There is a strong public service ethos in their approach, which is further illustrated when the pair says they would love to work for Muji and Ikea. It’s that reaching out to lots of people thing, says Javier, rather than making exclusive products for a limited audience.

Their products are not remotely decorative. “But we’re not minimalist in our approach, rather we prefer the term essential,” says Javier. He explains that one current school of design is to work from the outside in, but he and José Luis prefer to design from the inside out. That way they never lose sight of the essence and soul of the product they are working on.

LOS DIEZ has an extensive portfolio, with well-known designs such as the Vértigo Rug manufactured by La Alpujarreña, the Miriápodo bench, manufactured by Tecnología & Diseño Cabanes, and the Kyoto lamp for ONA, as well as many shelving and storage products. Among their last works, we find the Baxter for MiSCeL·LàNia, the DOVE benches for Paviments Mata, and the ÁMBITO shower column for Metalibérica. They have won a number of awards, including two for their Godot bench for Escofet, a Silver Delta Award and a AEPD Prize.