A graduate of Industrial Design from Barcelona’s Elisava University School of Design and Engineering, Mario Ruiz’s designs speak volumes in their simplicity; they live with their users without being conspicuous.

His work method “originates from the mission of being useful. That is always my point of departure, that the object works. Since there is no single solution for that to happen, figuring out the details is usually what leads to the emergence of a language.”

The designer started out in 1995 from his studio Mario Ruiz Design, focused on designing and developing industrial products and technology, as well as furniture, lighting and office projects.

His extensive professional experience stands out for its multidisplinarity and international projection, allowing him to develop projects in various sectors for over 120 companies around the world. Siemens, Steelcase, Teknion, Offecct, Lapalma, Arflex, Haworth, Palau, Gandía Blasco, Schiavello, Expormim, HBF, Metalarte, Sellex and Joquer are among his clients, for whom he works not only in design projects but also, for some of them, as strategic consultant.

He has received over 50 awards in Europe and the United States, including several Wallpaper Awards, Red Dot, IF, Best of Neocon, Silver Deltas, Design Plus and Good Design. His work has been featured in several solo exhibitions, like the monographic show organized by the Instituto Cervantes of Milan during the Salone del Mobile 2018 or the one hosted by Feria Habitat Valencia 2018 in his honor.

He has been Professor of Projects at Barcelona’s EINA and ELISAVA design schools and has given conferences about his work in Tokyo, Singapore, New York, Dubai, London and Chicago.

In 2016 he received the National Design Prize, awarded by King Felipe VI of Spain and the Ministry of Economy.

Awards

2022
IF Design Award (Hannover). Wing Shelving System for Systemtronic.
Interior Design magazine Best of Year Honoree (New York). Stockholm bookcase for Punt.

2021
Good Design Award (Chicago). Wing Shelving System for Systemtronic.
Red Dot Design Award (Essen). Sen bathroom collection for Fiora.

2019
Good Design Award (Chicago). Emote Private Office collection for Teknion.

2018
Stylepark Selected Award Orgatec 2018 (Cologne). Team collection for Expormim.
Guest Designer Exhibition, Feria Hábitat (Valencia). Everyday Objects. September 18-21, 2018.
Guest Designer Exhibition, Instituto Cervantes (Milan). Everyday Objects. April 17-21, 2018.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Haiku chair for Offecct.

2017
Metropolis magazine “MetropolisLikes NeoCon” Award (Chicago). Bevy series for StudioTK.

2016
National Design Prize (Spain).

2015
Red Dot Design Award (Essen). Stockholm programme for Punt Mobles.

2013
Metropolis magazine “MetropolisLikes NeoCon” Award (Chicago). November series for HBF.

2011
mb magazine “Best of 2011 outdoor product” (Germany). Flat, outdoor programme for Gandia Blasco.
IIDA Awards (Dubai). Duna Lounge Series, for HBF.

2010
Silver Award, Best of NeoCon (Chicago). Linea, Conference Series, office furniture programme managed for HBF.
Red Dot Design Award (Essen). Flat, outdoor furniture programme for Gandia Blasco.

2008
I.D. magazine New+Notable (New York). Frame, pathway lighting for B. Lux.
Best of NeoCon Silver Award (Chicago). Linea, office furniture programme managed for HBF.
Red Dot Design Award (Essen). Fuori, bench for Viccarbe.
Wallpaper Design Awards (London). Flat, outdoor programme for Gandia Blasco.

2007
FX/Design PRIMA Awards (London). Dis Confident, office chair for Dynamobel.
Red Dot Design Award (Essen). Dis Confident, office chair for Dynamobel.
IF Design Award (Hannover). Dis Confident, office chair for Dynamobel.
IF Design Award (Hannover). So Line, professional sound system for Vieta.

2006
AIT (Architektur Innenarchitektur Technischer Ausbau) for Innovation in Architecture and Office, Orgatec (Cologne). Dis Confident, office chair for Dynamobel.
FX International Interior Design Awards (London). K22, office furniture for Haworth.
Design Plus (Frankfurt). M-270, coffee machine for Moka.
PLASA Innovation Award (London). So Line, professional sound system for Vieta.

2005
KBB's Award (Kitchen and Bath Business) (New York). Solid, bath complements for Estoli.
Public Delta Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). M-270, coffee machine for Moka.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). HA-890, electronic oven for Teka.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Xpression, coffee machine for Azkoyen.

2003
Red Dot Design Award (Essen). Lucentum/Platinum, bath complements for Jimten.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Domotax, domestic electricity meter for Orbis.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Maxima, electronic weighing scale for Campesa.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Vita, automatic electrical fuse for Famatel.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Capriccio, mill for Azkoyen.

2001
Red Dot Design Award (Essen). 7 Series, electric porters and video intercom for Tegui.
Red Dot Design Award (Essen). Ecocombi, urban refuse container for Rotec Plastics.
Silver Delta Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Rubliflex Line, range of handgrips for construction tools for Germans Boada.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Zas, office chair for Dynamobel.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Link, office accessories for Vilagrasa.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). B04 range, office furniture for Bordonabe.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Ecocombi, urban refuse container for Rotec Plastics.

1999
Silver Delta Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). TR Rubi, professional cutting tool for ceramic for Germans Boada.
IF Design Award (Hannover). TR Rubi, professional cutting tool for ceramic for Germans Boada.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). 7 Series, electric porters and video intercom for Tegui.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Aquakit Plus, hydromassage column for Roca.

1998
IF Design Award (Hannover). Electronic relays for Electronic Disibeint.
IF Design Award (Hannover). Multifin Dos for Cabero.

1997
Technological Innovation Award (Generalitat de Catalunya). Asfa, industrial clamps for Mikalor.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Net, office furniture for Bordonabe.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). Alto, credit card payment terminal for Ingénico.
Delta Selection Award ADI-FAD (Barcelona). DS 203, electric cutting tools for ceramic for Germans Boada.