One of the memories that stayed with me most in 2025 was the 2024
@distributeddesign conference developed in collaboration with
@viennadesignweek . Working within this context allowed me to engage with an organisation that understands design not as a finished outcome, but as an ongoing, situated practice, one shaped by social conditions, political questions, and public responsibility.
The framing of the exhibition and conference as Open Design grew out of long-standing conversations within the Distributed Design community. For me, it named something design often claims but rarely fulfils. As the process unfolded, the focus shifted towards questions that felt increasingly urgent: how openness is designed, who it is for, where it reaches its limits, and how power, labour, and authorship are negotiated within systems that present themselves as open. Preparing the programme and exhibition became a demanding but formative learning process. It required sustained experimentation with shared decision-making, and a willingness to sit with uncertainty. I found myself repeatedly reflecting on how each decision—every “yes” and every “no”—actively shapes narratives, visibility, and inclusion. We tried, imperfectly but with care, to create conditions in which designers who are often marginal to dominant design narratives could be meaningfully present, while still holding the complexity of the community as a whole.
Working closely with Olga (
@tvblgtvb ) and Julia (
@juliabertolaso ) on the curation, and with Manuela (
@reyesmanuu ) and Natalie (
@natalidobreva ) on communication materials, once again made visible how much collective and often invisible labour underpins public cultural work. From spatial decisions to moderation, the process reinforced for me the importance of collective authorship and situated knowledge. Just as meaningful was the time spent with members of the Distributed Design community in person, deepening relationships that are so often mediated through digital spaces.
![Join us for an in-person co-design workshop where we’ll collectively imagine and prototype the future sewing kit of the maker space at the library. As part of the participatory process of L’in[VISIBLE] Espai Maker, we will co-design the future sewing kit. What would you like to find at the library to help bring your ideas to life? Which tools, materials or resources would make this space work for you? Your voice matters, come and share it.This event is part of the EU-funded make-a-thek project and aims to connect the growing community of menders, makers, textile artists, and creative libraries across Europe.In this workshop, together we will: Explore what an accessible basic sewing kit should contain Share needs, ideas and references Collectively co-design a proposal for the library Date Thursday, 7 May 2026 Time 17.30h Location: Biblioteca Camp de l’Arpa-Caterina Albert, Indústria, 295, 08041 Barcelona What to bring? Just your ideas and willingness to share : we’ll provide the materials. ️ Free to attend — registration required Hosted by Fab Lab Barcelona with #mdef residents @davidgranizo and auxance ️ Languages English and Spanish](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739463471514649602652_0_2439cc695af46ed7655df268f10a9520.jpg?o=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&h=480deaaa423977177e17231ab54a168e)
