Spanish Designers Demand Government Support in COVID-19 Crisis

Spanish designers have issued a manifesto to the government, offering their expertise to help industries recover from the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The document, drafted by RED (Reunión de Empresas Españolas del Diseño) and signed by fifteen major design associations, calls for a stable dialogue between the government and businesses to provide ideas and solutions for social and economic reconstruction. Marisa Santamaría, director of RED, stated that the open letter is both an alarm and the start of a collaborative process with various ministries. The manifesto emphasizes the role of design in digital technology, craft, innovation, and sustainability, aiming to accelerate recovery through transmedia transformation. Santamaría noted that Spanish industries have already positioned themselves globally with rigorous safety protocols. The pandemic has also spurred creative experimentation, with professionals reinventing themselves. However, the economic damage is significant: RED companies export 50-92% of their production, much of which has halted. Santamaría drew parallels to the 2008 crisis, when Spanish firms evolved by exporting and opening markets, stressing the need for networking, knowledge sharing, and blending tradition with technology.