Héctor Diego founded his own studio in 2001 in Valencia. Since then, he has designed for such well-known companies as Toyota, Perobell, De la Oliva, Koo International, Viccarbe, Novum, Kendo, LZF lamps and Miele, among others.
Héctor Diego has taken part in many group exhibitions in and outside Spain, and his work has been exhibited recently in such cities as Tokyo, New York, Frankfurt and Paris. In 2010, his Plane bench, manufactured by DelaOliva, received the prestigious Good Design award in the furniture category, given by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design; the Bench will form part of the museum’s permanent collection. In 2011, Diego received another Good Design award given by the same institution for his Highback Noon sofas produced by Koo International, while Plane won a Delta prize, given by Barcelona-based organisation FAD (Fostering Arts and Design).
Héctor Diego, founder of his eponymous, Valencia-based studio, talked to us about his views on design, his work and future projects.
Interiors From Spain: Where did your passion for design spring from?
Héctor Diego: I’m a big fan of detail and forms. This awoke my interest in studying for a creative career, which would allow me to express myself freely.
I chose the path of industrial designer in response to an inner need to give form to my ideas, to innovate, explore and develop my products, while taking a great deal of care over their functions and structural, formal and aesthetic qualities.
Interiors From Spain: What are your views on design and what fundamental principles do you follow when designing objects?
Héctor Diego: In all my projects, I strive to achieve harmony and balance. For me, there’s more to design than a beautifully pared-down object. It needs to fulful its purpose efficiently, while the user needs to relate to it and be able to derive pleasure from it. Design needs to respond to contemporary society’s most pressing needs.
I believe in designs that are long-lasting, that don’t have the uniform look of passing fashions, and which are developed as part of a cohesive vision and strategy.
Interiors From Spain: Your studio specialises in industrial design and art direction. Have you ever considered expanding your business into other areas of design?
Héctor Diego: Industrial design encompasses a broad spectrum of products and this inspires me. I love new challenges. What’s more, as an art director I’m responsible for establishing an approach and strategy for presenting products (including also related graphic and web design), a side of the business I’m not currently tempted to expand.
Interiors From Spain: You’ve undertaken furniture, lighting, bathroom, office and street furniture projects? How would you describe these? And do they have anything in common that allows them to be instantly identified as
Héctor Diego pieces?
Héctor Diego: My designs tend to be clean-lined and sober-looking. I like balanced, well-proportioned and stripped-down forms because they’re pared down to their essence and look attractive. They help me achieve the characteristics I want my work to have, though my products vary depending on what they are.
Interiors From Spain: Your collaboration with international car maker Toyota to design the Toyota IQ model stands out among your international projects. What did you gain from this experience?
Héctor Diego: It was incredible! It was the second time Toyota contacted me. The first time they asked me to collaborate in a more conceptual way on a design for a family-sized people carrier. The company was looking for new ideas to make the best use of the space and increase its functions – all in relation to a family’s leisure time.
I came up with an idea based on colour therapy that I applied to the car’s interior. This comprised a central arm which could be unfolded and which regulated warm and cold lights in different ways as well as levels of brightness, which the user could adjust according to his or her mood – to relax, be stimulated or create a harmonious atmosphere like you’d find at home.
They liked the idea and over time asked me to collaborate with them on coordinating the finishes of the new IQ model’s interior. They were looking for a new perspective on this from someone who worked outside the automotive industry. I was given a large file to refer to and a detailed briefing. It was an intensive, fruitful job which helped me to promote myself internationally.
Interiors From Spain: Two of your pieces are in the permanent collection of The Chicago Athenaeum: The Museum of Architecture and Design. What special qualities do you think they have which have so impressed the US public?
Héctor Diego: I think they’re accessible designs which appeal to people immediately. They perfectly embody the studio’s philosophy, and look individual, well-balanced, harmonious and pared-down. They’re made using state-of-the-art technology and meet today’s accepted ecological and environmentalist standards.
Interiors From Spain: What projects do you have coming up? Are you currently working on any international projects?
Héctor Diego: As well as various pieces of furniture, I’m working on a range of accessories for US company Clarus Glassboards. I’m also designing a collection of pistol sheaths for the security firm Satara Seguridad, using state-of-the-art technology and highly advanced engineering. It’s an ambitious collection which we’ll export to other countries, chiefly the US.