The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) and the Fab Lab Barcelona, in collaboration with Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering and the Fab Academy, are pleased to announce that Saúl Baeza has joined the Master in Design for Emergent Futures (MDEF) as Co-Director, alongside Guillem Camprodon, with Chiara Dall’Olio continuing as the program’s coordinator.
MDEF is a multidisciplinary design program that focuses on transforming ideas into actionable interventions aimed at addressing global societal challenges, this strategic appointment strengthens the leadership team and further reinforces MDEF’s mission to push the boundaries of design education and practice.
Saúl Baeza is the Creative Director of DOES and MAYBE, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of VISIONS BY, and Content Director at VIBE. In addition to his work at MDEF, Saúl lectures at Elisava Barcelona University of Design and Engineering and conducts research on functional and digital identities as part of the “Making with…” Research Group (TU Eindhoven) and the “Futures Now” Research Group (Elisava Research).
Saúl’s international teaching experience includes visiting professorships and lectures at prestigious institutions such as Harvard GSD, Central Saint Martins, London College of Communication, RMIT University, and Rhode Island School of Design, among others. Saúl is committed to guiding the next generation of designers through MDEF’s transformative educational approach.
This appointment marks a significant moment in the ongoing collaboration between Elisava and IAAC, strengthening our shared mission in design education and research. With Saúl’s addition to the leadership team, MDEF will continue to push the boundaries of design thinking, fostering a community dedicated to reimagining the future of design.
The program will keep on encouraging students to explore and design platforms, products, and solutions that envision new emergent futures, supported by a strong faculty of leading thinkers and practitioners who bring unparalleled expertise and dedication to educating future design leaders.
Laura Benítez, who previously served as Co-Director, will remain engaged with the program in her new role within the UAB Department of Philosophy, continuing to guide MDEF’s critical perspectives.
As MDEF moves forward with Saúl Baeza and Guillem Camprodon leading the way, the journey to prototype alternative presents continues. Seven years in, MDEF is not just about designing the future: it’s about reimagining what the future of design can be.