The tactical urbanism promoted by the municipal government of Ada Colau has not been without controversy. The paintings on the road and the mobile elements with which areas such as Pelai street or the Sant Antoni and Poblenou superblocks were decorated have had detractors and defenders alike.

But now, this risky street decoration formula has been reinforced by getting the endorsement of design professionals. The tactical urbanism of the Barcelona City Council created by Arauna Studio received last night the Grand Laus prize in Graphic Design granted by the Association of Art Directors and Graphic Designers (ADG-FAD).

The jury, made up of Pablo Amade, Liza Enebeis, Titti Kurppa, Borja Martínez and Guillermo Rubio, considered that tactical urbanism “is presented as an open source toolbox, interpretable by the consistory teams in charge of executing the different actions in streets and human environments pacified”, according to the Association in a press release. “This system provides, on the one hand, an easily recognizable code that facilitates the use of urban space and, on the other hand, humanizes paved areas,” he added.

For their part, Colau’s team defends tactical urbanism as “a simple and powerful formula for urban transformation, followed by cities around the world and which allows changing how a space is used with temporary and cheaper elements. It is based on provisional and reversible, affordable and agile actions, such as colored stripes, street furniture, planters that can be moved or games painted on the ground”.

The Grand Laus for Advertising went to the Muchoyo campaign, as the jury considered that it is “a collaborative project in which different media outlets and more than 70 professionals from different disciplines have participated to give children and adolescents a voice and that they can demand person the fulfillment of their rights in problems such as discrimination, child labor, sexual violence or war conflicts”. The award wanted to recognize this campaign as “a powerful tool to connect with children through animation, music, fashion and a character that you want to inspire.”

In addition, the ADG-FAD committee of experts has recognized the Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB) with the Laus Empresas y Entidades 2023 award for being “a benchmark and an example for public institutions to reinforce the promotion and commitment to design ”. “The CCCB is the cultural epicenter of the city and stands out for its 30-year track record of full commitment to graphic design, which is part of the entity’s DNA”.

This year’s Laus de Honor award went to José María Cruz Novillo in recognition of “his great contributions to the world of design and visual communication and the cultural impact they have had on the collective imagination”.

The Laus de Honor award is recognition of a professional career of great contributions to the profession and to the culture of graphic design in general, which have served as a source of inspiration for the following generations. In previous editions, renowned professionals such as Pati Núñez (2022), Toni Miserachs (2021), América Sanchez (2020), Ana Zelich (2019), Oscar Mariné (2018), Enric Aguilera (2017), Yves Zimmermann (2016) or Raquel Pelta (2015).

Novillo’s “prolific career is now recognized, especially in the visual creation of brands and corporate identities that have formed part of the visual landscape of a Spain yearning for modernity and democracy. In addition to his social and cultural impact, Novillo represents one of the national pillars for the promotion and dignity of the graphic design profession”.

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