ALVARO CATALÁN DE OCÓN

Álvaro Catalán de Ocón started off by studying industrial design at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan (1999-2000), later graduating with honours from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London (2000-2004). In 2004 he opened his own studio in Barcelona, where he designed the fantastic ‘LA FLACA’ lamp - winner of the Design Plus Award (Frankfurt) - before upping sticks to Madrid in 2009. Since 2007, punters have been able to marvel at his works on display at the Rossana Orlandi Gallery in Milan. During 2011 and 2012 he conceived and carried out the project for his ‘PET’ lamp, one of his most iconic products. This allowed him to create the ACdO: his studio's platform for self-produced design which he uses to distribute some of his most personal pieces. In each new project, the design process is geared to guarantee maximum honesty of processes and materials in order to offer not just an object, but a sensation. Each of the studio’s pieces are produced locally, using high-end industrial processes and Barcelona-based specialised artisans of different nationalities. Each piece is crafted with great love and care in the studio, ensuring the quality and finish required of a long-lasting collection of products. Fans of his work can view some examples that are included in design collections on display at the Centre Pompidou and the National Centre for Visual Arts (CNAP) in Paris, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne and M+ in Hong Kong, among others. His designs have also received various prizes and international nominations.