The architect and the beginnings of industrial design in Spain

Abstract

Until the Civil War, design had only been the subject of study of a few. The greatest advance in the field occurred in the 1950s, thanks to the efforts of a group of architects, such as Carlos de Miguel, Luis Feduchi, Javier Carvajal, Antoni Moragas and José Antonio Coderch, among others, who promoted a series of initiatives with which they sought to raise awareness in society of the need for “good design”. These included the holding of exhibitions and competitions, as well as the creation of institutions for industrial design such as SEDI and IDIB. The impetus from architects was an indispensable factor in its development. This article analyses the relevant role played by architects in the birth of Spanish industrial design.