situated design practices

Reflecting on my experience with the Design Practices course, I realize how deeply impactful it has been—not just academically, but personally as well. This course provided me with a unique opportunity to immerse myself in different realities of Barcelona, something I had found challenging as a foreigner. From the very first session, it was clear that the course aimed to connect us with diverse practices and people, and I embraced the chance to absorb as much as possible.

The visit to Cal Negre felt unexpectedly familiar, almost homely. Talking with Jaume about his heritage and seeing the museum he created in his own home was a reminder of how important it is to preserve history. It made me think about the ways in which physical spaces hold memory, and how design can be a tool not just for innovation, but for conservation and storytelling. I’ve been thinking a lot about this in my own journey since I started MDEF, especially about the ethical and philosophical side of design. Also, seeing how the different practices of the residents coexist made me realize that various skills and approaches can not only share space but also strengthen each other—this sense of collaborative creativity goes beyond the profession, creating a space where work and life intersectWith Hibai Arbide's talk, I found myself completely immersed in the conversation, especially the harsh stories he shared—many of which I realized I knew too little about. His dedication and the way he uses knowledge and storytelling to tackle social and political issues really stuck with me. It made me question the role I could play in shedding light on uncomfortable realities—could I use my work to engage with these issues? How?

Visiting FOC and meeting the Jokkoo Collective added another layer to the experience. I had been to the space before, for a party, but returning with a deeper understanding of its history and the people who built both the physical and community space gave me a new perspective. It was a clear reminder of how much hard work and commitment go into building something meaningful, and how crucial a strong community is. It’s not just about the final product or the space itself, but about the relationships and shared efforts that make those outcomes possible. This really ties back to the way I’ve been thinking about my own work—especially my interest in material experimentation and collaborative processes.

The talk with Ben Ditto left me intrigued and a bit unsure. There’s no denying he's a talented professional, and his work was interesting and, in some ways, hopeful. What resonated with me most was how he described himself as someone with broad interests rather than a specialist. It felt familiar—I often see myself the same way, curious about different things instead of tied to a single focus. It was a reassuring reminder that not having a clearly defined path doesn’t mean a lack of direction—it means allowing space for exploration, for connecting ideas across disciplines, and for embracing the unexpected.

All of these experiences showed me that there’s no single path to follow—goals shift and often take shape along the way. What stood out was how fully engaged I felt at times, wanting to discuss what I had just heard or seen with people in my life with whom I don’t usually share these thoughts merging my “professional” live with the personal one a lot more than usual. That feeling of being both grounded and inspired is something I want to carry into my own work. It reinforced something I’ve been realizing (and still trying to fully grasp) through my projects: that I don’t have to obsess about solving problems— I want my journey to be also about posing new questions, about sparking curiosity, and about creating something that invites others to think and feel, even if it’s not a world-saving project. Sometimes, is as much about the people and stories behind the work as it is about the work itself.

Reflecting on my current projects, this course reinforced how essential collaboration is. With all the ideas I want to explore—whether it’s experimenting with recovered materials, finding ways to merge functionality and artistic expression—I know that finding the right people to work with will be key. It’s not just about individual growth but about building a network of shared knowledge and creativity.