09/20/2023

Arnau Reyna

Ramón Arnau and Mariola Reyna founded the Arnau Reyna design studio in the city of Valencia in 2018. They design products that connect with the user and the spaces they inhabit, starting out with simple ideas that evolve throughout the design process. They create timeless pieces that are not influenced by short-lived trends, and believe in design as a strategy, as an intangible tool that is a fundamental pillar for companies that drives productivity and growth. For them, "Design is not only about having a good idea, but also about having criteria to trace the path of the business. We want to create future design icons.”

The studio offers industrial design, strategic consulting, branding, creative direction, art direction, interiors and ephemeral architecture for internationally recognized design companies such as Actiu, Bolia, Perobell, and more. During the World Design Capital Valencia 2022, they designed the exhibition "Designing the Air", curated by Vicent Martínez, in which 20 designers re-imagined the fan from a contemporary point of view.

They have won various awards in recognition of their work: the IF design award 2021, the German Design Award 2019, the Good Design Award 2020 and the ADCV award 2018.

We chat with Ramón and Mariola who tell us about the history of the studio, their way of approaching design and projects.

Interiors from Spain: You met while studying architecture, but in the end you looked to industrial design for your future. Why the change? What attracted you to industrial design?

Arnau Reyna: We have always been attracted to the world of furniture - ever since we started studying architecture. When we finished in 2008 and with the real estate bubble bursting, we chose to continue our training. When we finished our design degrees we were totally convinced that furniture was our passion. We gained a very comprehensive view of the furniture, as we were able to imagine the object itself and also how it would work in a space.

Interiors from Spain: And then you each started your own individual paths until you founded "Arnau Reyna" in 2018. What were your objectives?

Arnau Reyna: Beginnings are tough in the furniture industry, so we were alternating jobs in different companies and studios. There came a time when we decided that if what we wanted to do was to dedicate ourselves 100% to furniture and products, we had to take the leap, even if there was no safety net. Product design inspires and excites us. We believe that although it is a crowded sector, our vision still has something to contribute.

Interiors from Spain: How does the Ramón-Mariola tandem work? How do you divide up functions in the studio? How do you complement each other?

Arnau Reyna: We usually share tasks and even projects, although we always consult each other and review everything we do so that everything that comes out of our studio is consistent and carefully thought out.

Interiors from Spain: If you had to define the way you design in just one sentence, what would you say?

Arnau Reyna: "Success is in the details."

Interiors from Spain: And your designs. What are the essential elements? What should we look out for?

Arnau Reyna: We try to make them objects that work and interact well with the space. They need to be very versatile in terms of materials and finishes, so that the same object can have different finishes and so more options to offer on the market.

Interiors from Spain: How do you test a design and make it work with the client?

Arnau Reyna: We usually do rendering tests with different materials, in different spaces and for different uses. We like to create objects that are versatile and that work together.

Interiors from Spain: In addition to product design, you do graphic design, corporate identity, and some interior design projects. Which discipline do you feel most at comfortable in? How do you bring them together?

Arnau Reyna: Furniture design is definitely where we feel most comfortable, although we also offer advice and art direction to companies in the sector, as long as there is a good feeling and we like the project.

Interiors from Spain: Tell us about the materials you work with. Is there anyone you particularly like to work with and why? Anybody you would like to experiment with?

Arnau Reyna: We generally work with metal, wood, and fabrics for upholstery. We would like to experiment with ceramics and glass, but a suitable project has not yet come up.

Interiors from Spain: Looking at your product portfolio we see that you have specialized in furniture. What is it that attracts you to this sector? Is there any new sector you would like to design for?

Arnau Reyna: We think our fixation with furniture comes from the way it can configure and transform a space. We would like to continue growing in this sense, creating all kinds of objects for habitat, from larger pieces of furniture to small objects and household items.

Interiors from Spain: At the international level, which companies have you worked with?

Arnau Reyna: We started working with Bolia and Hans K. three years ago.

Interiors from Spain: What projects are you working on at the moment? Anything outside of Spain?

Arnau Reyna: We are currently working on seating and some side tables, some of them for companies in Germany and Turkey.

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Arnau Reyna

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