Marisa Gallén and Point, references of Valencian Design, winners of National Design Awards in 2019

The designer Marisa Gallén and the company Point, which specialises in outdoor furniture, have been recognised for their track record and commitment to design with National Design Awards in 2019 in the professional and company categories, respectively.

These awards are the maximum recognition of design in Spain and they are given by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

In its statement, the jury recognised the “extensive, global and innovative track record” of Marisa Gallén. Furthermore, they highlighted “the coherence of her professional career, from the founding of La Nave, which represented a revolution in the world of design, to her current work, highly influential in company strategy, demonstrating a great capacity for projects. Highly committed to sustainability from the outset, her ability to interweave design and art in her projects is exceptional. Her associational activity and cultural involvement, transmitting the values of design to society, are an example of commitment.”

And they stressed that Point is outstanding owing to “its continued and sustainable ascending development, with a business strategy highly oriented towards internationalisation which has contributed to disseminating and consolidating the design ecosystem and giving it visibility. With a responsible consumption strategy and willingness to reduce environmental impact, its commitment to the interconnection of craftsmanship and tradition with design and innovation is outstanding, maintaining its loyalty to natural materials.”

“2019 is without doubt the year of Valencian design. The effort, quality, maturity, talent and success of Valencian design continue to bring us good news. After the naming of Valencia as World Design Capital in 2022, two well-deserved National Design Awards have now been given to a designer and a company that are undeniably references of Valencian design. Marisa Gallén and Point have many reasons to feel satisfied. As does the whole of the Valencian Community. Congratulations,” stressed the strategic director of Valencia World Design Capital 2022, Xavi Calvo.

Marisa Gallén, who formed part of the mythical group La Nave in the 1980s, has contributed with her work to the innovation of design and has left her graphic mark on all kinds of Valencian cultural initiatives, institutions and industries. Museums, publishers, music festivals, books, design exhibitions and cultural projects of all kinds. She has been a teacher and mentor of generations of designers and currently runs the studio Gallén+Ibáñez together with the designer Carmina Ibáñez, which develops identity and packaging projects, among other aspects of design.

“The presence and relevance of the designs of Marisa Gallén is undeniable, as is her commitment to the design sector. She has been very involved for years with the Association of Designers of the Valencian Community (ADCV), which she presided for four years, and she has been president of the association that marked the beginning of this exciting project that has made our dream to be World Design Capital in 2022 come true,” underlined Calvo.

Point, which celebrates its centenary next year, is a reference worldwide in the manufacture and design of outdoor furniture. Its pieces combine the craftsmanship and knowhow of the brand with the signature of designers such as Mario Ruiz, Vicent Martínez and Francesc Rifé, among others.

“Point is one of the companies that has been with this bid from the outset and without the support of which none of this would have been possible. Point is design and craftsmanship. And also sustainability, innovation, commitment, effort and a vision of the future. Our most sincere congratulations and felicitations in advance for the centenary they will celebrate in 2022,” commented Calvo.