Clap is a design studio established in 2017 in Valencia, Spain, specializing in crafting experiences through interior design, the product and artistic installations.
The studio is led by creative director Jordi Iranzo and technical architect Àngela Montagud. Their primary objective is to help both brands and institutions connect with their customers through memorable experiences. In their relatively brief but intense professional journey, the studio has executed projects in major cities around the world such as Hong Kong, Brussels, São Paulo, Barcelona, and Minsk.
Clap has earned the Spanish National Design Award 2023 in the “Young Designers” category. Additionally, it has been acknowledged as one of the 100 most creative agencies in Spain by FORBES Spain. The studio secured two nominations at the German Design Awards 2020, claiming victory with the HER project. Furthermore, Clap achieved success at the FRAME Awards 2019 with Little Stories and was long listed for the Dezeen Awards 2019 as an Emerging Interior Design Studio.
We spoke with Àngela and Jordi about their origins, philosophy and work methodology, awards, projects and new challenges:
Interiors from Spain: How did Clap come about?
Clap Studio: Clap evolved quite organically as a direct result of another project that Jordi and I undertook. When we were students, we founded a digital magazine called “More with Less”. More with Less was personal endeavor while we were still studying at college. Over the years, “More with Less” grew to include 15 editors from around the world making their contributions non-profit basis. Unintentionally, this project marked a pivotal moment in our lives, drawing us even closer to design, architecture, and art. We developed a profound passion for this profession, and upon completing our studies, the natural progression led us to create. That’s how Clap Studio was born.
Interiors from Spain: What defines the philosophy of the studio? Is there a distinct Clap style that sets you apart?
Clap Studio: We have always articulated our philosophy through three key words: simplicity, elegance, and playfulness. Nevertheless, we are increasingly aware that we evolve with each project. We undergo continuous evolution while maintaining our core essence.
Interiors from Spain: What methodology do you employ in shaping the interior of a space? Which aspects of the process do you consider most significant?
Clap Studio: We adhere to a well-defined process. The initial and pivotal step involves understanding the client. We work with brands, so it is paramount that our projects reflect values that define their essence. To gain a deeper understanding, we conduct a workshop to extract the brand’s essence and requirements. Following this, we formulate a concept that not only defines them but also aids in crafting a storytelling narrative that resonates with their audience. Once the concept is crystallized, we proceed with the conventional phases: space design, 3D modeling, rendering, presentations, floor plans, and the technical development of the project.
Interiors from Spain: What experiences do you seeking to evoke in your temporary installations?
Clap Studio: There isn’t a singular experience. In each installation and project, our goal is to convey distinct values and emotions. Our inspiration usually starts with a more or less detailed briefing. For artistic installations with a client’s objectives, we align with their goals, extracting as much as we can from often concise briefings. In our own installations, without a client, we often have a signature concept—clouds. Creating a sense of calm is frequently one of the experiences we prioritize the most. We are passionate about manipulating user sensations through the use of materials, light, and more.
Interiors from Spain: When designing an object, what captures your focus? Which concepts do you seek to highlight?
Clap Studio: Whether it's an interior, a temporary installation, or a product, we approach all projects with a consistent mindset. When designing a product for a brand, our inspiration often stems from the essence of that brand. Whether it embodies playfulness, fun, contemporary flair, or leans towards a more Nordic, understated, or serene feel, we aim to discern the defining traits of the brand. Then we conceptualize the product design based on these key elements. If you look at the products we have designed, you’ll typically find a distinctive and clear concept behind each of them:
Balloon for Annud – a balloon compressed by a metal structure.
Worm for Missana – a centipede.
Eclipse for Teulat – the interplay of two circles.
Interiors from Spain: Share with us your recent projects outside of Spain. In which countries have you been worked? How has the experience unfolded and what feedback have you received from visitors?
Clap Studio: Our projects have spanned diverse countries, with our most distant venture taking place in Hong Kong, where we designed a store for the celebrity Hilary Tsui named HER. This store has won several awards, including a German Design Award in 2020.
We designed the main pavilion for the Minsk Design Week in Belarus in 2019. This installation continues to grace an event space within the city.
Meanwhile, we are currently in the midst of constructing a multipurpose space in Saudi Arabia—a store coupled with event facilities. The anticipation of witnessing it materialize is palpable.
Simultaneously, we are engaged in projects with Toyota Motor Europe in Brussels and a watch brand in Switzerland.
On the whole, the experience has been very positive. The initial phases of each project—getting to know the company, its culture, and its requirements—are particularly stimulating. Working on international projects not only allows us to travel but also affords us invaluable insights into diverse cultures, trends, and alternative construction approaches.
Interiors from Spain: You recently received the National Design Award 2023 in the “Young Designers” category. What does this recognition mean for your studio?
Clap Studio: This award provides us with a sense of assurance, fostering a greater belief in ourselves. It serves as both motivation and an added layer of responsibility. While we understand the importance of maintaining the high standard we’ve set, the reality is that we’ve consistently given nothing less than our best—always putting 100% effort into every project. The conventional approach of “adjusting the time spent on a project based on the client’s accepted budget” has never resonated with us. Our mindset differs from that of typical entrepreneurs, and we are well aware of that. Above all, we have a clear principle: when we invest time in a project, we want it to reflect our identity. So, we strive to pay attention to every detail, whenever the client permits us to do so.
Interiors from Spain: Winning this award in just 6 years of professional experience is quite an achievement. What advice would you offer to young Spanish designers who are starting out and might see you as role models?
Clap Studio: Well, the first thing we recommend is to learn to swim (wink, wink). It is crucial to understand that we operate in an exceptionally demanding industry, and this demand is always increasing. It's vital for young designers not to forget the importance of ongoing learning—embracing new techniques, processes, concepts, programs, and more. Behind this award and all the showcased projects lies an immense amount of work in the studio, requiring significant effort and dedication. These last two points are essential for a project to work. You can’t give just 50% and expect optimal results. It’s essential to fully immerse yourself and give your absolute best.
On the flip side, we believe there’s no need to wait until you finish your degree to begin showcasing your projects. In our experience, two projects in our portfolio were undertaken while Jordi was studying industrial design in Germany. The key is to believe in your work. If you believe in your project, your idea, your concept, you can effectively communicate it through compelling visuals like photographs and renders. These materials can be leveraged to submit your project to the press for potential publication. We often emphasize in our discussions the example of “Cumulus”, a project Jordi worked on during his third year of studies in Halle, Germany. Upon completion, he arranged for professional photographs and submitted the project to the media. Within a few weeks, it gained global attention, and within months, he received an invitation from São Paulo for “Cumulus” to be featured as the main installation at the city’s Art and Design Festival. The previous year, the main installation was designed by Sou Fujimoto. It may sound surreal, but that's the reality. Ultimately, it demands persistence, consistency, motivation, and the courage to embrace the possibility of failure.
Interiors from Spain: By the way, speaking of awards, you’ve also secured a “Restaurant & Bar Design Award” in London for the Baovan restaurant in Valencia. What aspects of this project have garnered the most attention?
Clap Studio: Baovan is unquestionably a project that has been highly praised, and we’re immensely pleased about it. The element that has drawn the most attention, I believe, is how a compelling story is intricately woven throughout the space using just three colors and recurring shapes, perfectly complementing the brand’s storytelling.
Interiors from Spain: What new challenges are you currently tackling, and is there one that particularly excites you?
Clap Studio: Yes! Many of the ongoing projects are sources of great excitement for us. We are currently working on designing a restaurant in Madrid, various stores for a rapidly expanding fashion brand, and a particularly special project for Toyota... The studio is in a wonderfully dynamic phase. However, the project that holds the most excitement for us is our upcoming workspace. We are currently in the midst of transforming a warehouse, and if all goes well, we hope to relocate the entire team to this new space at the beginning of next year.
