Ramón Úbeda y Otto Canalda | Viccarbe

Ramón Úbeda (Jaén, 1962) is a journalist and designer. He began working in the world of design in 1984, while he was studying Architecture at the ETSAB in Barcelona. What is exceptional is that he has worked on aspects of architecture: as a journalist, graphic artist, designer, art director and curator.

A multi-talented person, he was head writer at pioneering magazines such as De Diseño and Ardi, he has contributed articles to the most important Spanish and international publications, he has published several books, he was commissioner for several exhibitions, and he has practised cultural activism from institutions such as FAD, BCD or the Fundación Signes.

At the same time, he has developed a wide professional activity as a designer, both graphic and industrial, specialising in furnishings and lighting. However, his best-known position is that of artistic director and consultant, in which he has specialised and where he feels most at home. He currently exercises this role in three of the largest Spanish design companies: BD Barcelona Design, Camper and Metalarte, all of which have received the National Design Award. In these companies, he works to develop other people’s designs. On special occasions he creates his own designs, usually in collaboration with Otto Canalda.

Otto Canalda (Barcelona, 1977) is a rarity among young designers because he chose to enter the profession from the kitchen of the industry, which is where projects are really cooked up. Just after finishing his studies at the Elisava School in Barcelona, he joined the New Product Development Department at BD Ediciones de Diseño. He currently works there together with Ramón Úbeda, finalising the projects of other designers to prepare them for market release.

His task is complex and vitally important within the gestation cycle of any design. The best education possible for an emergent designer who has decided to build up his career from the foundations of the profession.