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ACTIU Berbegal y Formas, S.A.
Blog / Products / Talking to Arnau Reyna from Owwi by Actiu
Talking to Arnau Reyna from Owwi by Actiu

Talking to Arnau Reyna from Owwi by Actiu

MAY 2024
·
4 minutes

"From architecture we have learned that there is no architectural space without something happening inside it; there is no space without content, hence our obsession with furniture."

Ramón Arnau (Denia, 1984) and Mariola Reyna (Valencia, 1985) are Arnau Reyna, the Valencia-based multidisciplinary studio that draws on their dual training in Architecture and Industrial Design. Highly passionate about product design, on which they focus their work, and after collaborating with recognised national and international brands, the couple have created Owwi by Actiu. A soft seating programme designed for contract environments but with a homely feel, simple yet with a unique and recognisable formal touch, reflecting Actiu's identity while satisfying the demands of today's market.

You have worked for a large number of national brands and some international ones. Do you notice any difference between commissions from Spain and other places with a more deeply rooted “design culture”?

We wish it weren't the case, but it is: our foreign customers mainly come from northern Europe, where fortunately the culture of design is firmly established and we don't have to do so much preaching. They have a deeper understanding of the importance of design in their products and tend to be more demanding in general terms.

Design has gone from being considered something "exclusive" and sometimes inaccessible to being part of our daily lives. How has the studio experienced this change? Is it easier to make and communicate design than it was a few years ago?

A few years ago we still met some companies that were unaware of the designer's role in the company's strategy. They used to see us as something more secondary and associated with luxury brands, but more and more brands want to hear our opinion (that of design professionals in general) when tackling the challenges that enable them to reach all kinds of audiences. From our point of view, it's no easier now than it was before, because good design is not about exclusivity, but about good solutions. However, it's true that the results are reaching more people.

What do you understand by “good design” and what does it need to have in order to work?

For us, a good design is one that is both beautiful and functional, one thing should not compromise the other. If there is too much or too little, it is no longer good design, it has to be balanced.

Do you think it is difficult for young designers in Spain to set up their own studio? What advice would you give them?

We recommend learning from other studios and companies before setting up your own studio. If industrial design is your passion, go for it. You can't survive on your own in this profession if you don't love what you do.

What is a typical day like in your studio?

It can vary depending on the nature of the project we are working on. Usually first thing in the morning we plan the day according to the ongoing projects and assign tasks for the day. Then we each dive into the work and share ideas as needed. We listen to music in the background, exchange ideas, sketch on paper while looking for the best solution for each project.

If you had to define your work in a few words, what would they be?

Designs that connect with the user and the spaces they inhabit based on simple ideas, and timeless pieces that are not influenced by passing trends.

You are an example of an interdisciplinary studio, with projects in industrial design, strategic consultancy, branding, creative direction, art direction, interior design and ephemeral architecture. In which one do you feel more comfortable and how do you relate some disciplines to others?

We feel most comfortable in furniture design, although we also provide art direction and advice to companies in the habitat sector, as long as there is a connection with the client and we are enthusiastic about the project.

Owwi by Actiu is your first product for Actiu, which has already been awarded a prestigious Red Dot...

What inspired you and what are the concepts behind its design, manufacturing process, materials, shapes?

We were formally asked for a piece that was simple to interpret, that would fit into all kinds of spaces, but with a formal element that would make it unique and recognisable. And, although it is mainly a product aimed at the contract market, it has a homely feel that makes it endearing.

How has the process of working with Actiu been and how has the project evolved since its inception? Anything worth highlighting? What have you gained from this collaboration?

The process of working with Actiu has been a very rewarding challenge from the beginning. We have loved working closely with the team, understanding their needs and objectives, and thus providing a design solution that reflects their identity and meets the demands of the market. We take away from this collaboration the possibility of contributing to the success of the company, as the piece is being very well received in the market.

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