BIO

Carla Alcalà Badias (Tàrrega, 1997) is an industrial designer and design researcher based in Spain, with a particular interest in material research, object design and contemporary craft practices. Through a New Materialism perspective, her works envision future scenarios for vernacular knowledges.

Her practice encompasses a broad spectrum of disciplines, whether developing commercial or self-initiated projects. Recently, she received the prestigious Bio Art and Design Award 2024. Throughout her career, she has worked for award-winning design studios such as MUT Design and Closca. Carla was awarded the Medialab Matadero 2022-23 research grant, and in 2023, she served as an artist-in-residence at Domaine de Boisbuchet (France), supported by Acción Cultural Española. Her projects have been exhibited at internationally recognized events such as Dutch Design Week and Valencia Design Fest, and have been featured in design and contemporary culture magazines such as DAMN Magazine.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Fine Art and Design (MA), Specialisation Social Design, Design Academy Eindhoven (NL), 2019-2021.
Bachelor in Industrial Design and Product Development, CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia (ES), Summa Cum Laude.

2019-21

2015-19

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Designer & Researcher, BAD Award Winner 2024. In collaboration with Laura Villanueva from NIOZ.
Product, space and furniture designer, MUT design, Valencia (ES).
Design Researcher (R+D), Biochar as a design material, Domaine de Boisbuchet (FR), Project funded by Acción Cultural Española (AC/E).
Design Research (R+D), Project Development within the Annual Program of Situated Research Residencies at Medialab Matadero (ES), Financially supported by Madrid Destino Culture Tourism and Business, S.A.
Production & development expert, workshop staff member, Domaine de Boisbuchet (FR).
Graphic Design and Art Direction, Internship, Closca Design, Valencia (ES).
Furniture and Product Design, Internship, Yonoh Studio, Valencia (ES).

Present

2021-23

2023

2022-23

2023

2019

2018

GRANTS & AWARDS

Art residency ai2, Organised by the Vice-Rectorate for Art, Science, Technology and Society (UPV) & CCCC Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània.
Distributed Design Mobility Scheme Prize 2023-24.Co-funded by the EU.
Creative Exchange Residency for Craft Practitioners 2023-25 (WCCE). Co-funded by the EU.
Artistic residency at Domaine de Boisbuchet, Funded by Acción Cultural Española AC/E, May-July.
Research residency at Medialab Matadero, Madrid (ES). April 22-April 23, Funded by Madrid Destino Cultura Turismo y Negocio, S.A.
Academic grant at The New Centre for Research and Practice, 4 ECTS seminar.
Extraordinary End-of-career Award for the Best Academic Record in Engineering and Architecture 2019. CEU Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia.

2024

2024

2024

2023

2022-23

2022

2019

EXHIBITIONS

What is it like to be a synthetic organism? (solo) Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània (CCCC).
Post-Carbon Alchemy, (group), Material District Utrecht 2024.
Wet-Crypto Myths (solo), La Hoja, Nave 0, Matadero Madrid.
Twisting & Twining (group), Mut Design Studio, València Design Fest 22.
Design Végétal (group), Domaine de Boisbuchet, France Design Week.
Private_Eye_Butler_Spy (group),ARCAM Architecture Centre Amsterdam, May - June.
Graduation Show 2021 Design Academy Eindhoven, Dutch Design Week 2021.
The Object is Absent (group), MU Space, Eindhoven (NL). Dutch Design Week 2020.

Soon

2024

2023

2022

2022

2022

2021

2021

TALKS, PUBLICATIONS & PRESS

Proceso de creación de un lenguaje interbacteriano (printed issue), Interspecies Library.
Biochar (online publication), Future Materials Bank (Jan van Eyck Academie).
Public presentation Wet-Crypto Myths and conversation with Ross McElwain, 26 May, Nave 0, Matadero.
Digital Home Myth-Making (article), In DAMN°82: Radical Domesticity.
Reencantar a las Bestias, interview, In Radio 3 (RTVE).
Death to algorithms, long live the witches! (article). Dutch Design Week 2021.

2024

2023

2023

2022

2022

2021

NON-FORMAL LEARNING

Ceramic 3D printing workshop with Jetclay, Espacio Open, Bilbao (ES), Selected through an open call.
Theoretical-practical seminar Daemon&Discord: Anatomy of the DAO, With Jay Springet & Ross McElwain, The New Centre for Research and Practice.
Workshop with Lex Pott. Domaine de Boisbuchet (FR).
Textile design project at Ziguinchor school, Senegal. Social design project Free Design Bank.

2023

2022-23

2018
2019

SOFTWARE

Rhino + Grasshopper | Solidworks
Autocad
Keyshot / V-Ray
Adobe Creative Suite
Stability AI / Midjourney
MS Office

*references available upon request*