Miguel Leiro, Professor at IE School of Architecture and Design, Awarded Spain National Design Prize 2025
The jury recognized Leiro in the Young Designers category, praising his bold creativity, ability to build networks, and commitment to pedagogy and experimentation.
Madrid, 25 July 2025 - Miguel Leiro, Associate Professor in the Bachelor in Design programs at IE University, has been awarded the Premio Nacional de Diseño 2025 (Spain National Design Prize) in the category of Jóvenes Profesionales del Diseño (Young Designers). Each year, these awards, granted by Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, recognize professionals and companies that have made innovation a core element of their careers and business development. They also honor individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to social, cultural, and economic progress through design.
"I thank the jury, the Ministry, and everyone who has supported and worked alongside me over the years, especially the team at MAYRIT Bienal, for this prize", said Leiro.
"We’ll keep working to strengthen and expand design culture in Spain, through products, exhibitions, teaching, or whatever it takes."
Miguel Leiro, Associate Professor at IE School of Architecture& Design
The National Design Prize jury describes Leiro as "an exponent and example of an extraordinary generation of emerging Spanish designers", highlighting "his creative boldness and ability to energize and give visibility to emerging design in Spain". The jury also praised his "capacity for building networks and his commitment to pedagogy and experimentation", which make him "one of the most influential young professionals of the new generation of national design".
Lectus by Miguel Leiro
An industrial designer trained at Pratt Institute in New York, Miguel Leirohas distinguished himself through an experimental and multidisciplinary approach, blending material and conceptual research with the creation of objects and spaces that engage with history, anthropology, and contemporary culture. He has collaborated with high‑profile clients and institutions and has developed notable projects such as "Heavy Game", a collection of furniture and accessories in stone based on the concept of modularity, or "Lectus", a piece made from tinted pine wood, nylon and a knitted custom-designed upholstery that interprets the daybed as an elevation from the floor, requiring its own architecture and pavement in order to sustain weight.
Leiro’s most significant contribution to the Spanish design ecosystem is the founding and direction of MAYRIT Biennial, a leading platform for experimental architecture and design. Since its launch in 2020, it has created opportunities for young talent and bold proposals, connecting independent designers with institutions, media, and an international audience.
His work has earned him prestigious accolades including the Design Award from the Spanish Royal Academy in Rome and the Maison & Objet Rising Talent Award in Paris. His projects have been showcased at international events such as Salone Satellite, Maison & Objet, Edit Napoli, Collectible Design, and the Porto Design Biennale.
On campus, professor Leiro is a guiding presence in IE University’s Bachelor in Design programs. Alongside faculty members such as Héctor Serrano, Eli Gutierrez, and Pablo Alabau he has helped shape an innovative curriculum that brings material experimentation and sustainability into the classroom empowering students to rethink waste, craft, and technology - principles that resonate with the hands-on learning ethos of IE School of Architecture and Design.
Note: Miguel Leiro's portrait on the cover is by Lino Escuris.