Ignacio Urbina Polo

A Venezuelan-Italian industrial designer, educator, and curator based in New York, Ignacio Urbina has built a career spanning diverse projects and experiences in design. He began his career in the 1980s at the LBDI–Brazilian Laboratory of Industrial Design in Florianopolis, Brazil, focusing on industry collaboration, design thinking, and manufacturing processes. In the 1990s, he co-founded the design studio Metaplug in Caracas, working alongside a team of Venezuelan designers, architects, and engineers. This experience allowed him to delve deeply into the execution of complex products and systems for both national and international clients.

His academic journey has been enriched by teaching at renowned institutions like Prodiseño in Venezuela and Pratt Institute in New York, where he joined the faculty in 2011. Since July 2022, he has led the Industrial Design Department at Pratt. His educational approach transcends traditional classrooms, embracing cutting-edge initiatives in bionics and design for the elderly while spearheading industry-sponsored courses and workshops with a global reach, including Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

Professionally, he has managed multiple design and product development projects and has served as a speaker, curator, and jury member in prestigious design exhibitions and competitions worldwide.

Currently residing in Brooklyn, Urbina directs projects independently, leads www.di-conexiones.com, and is a Founding Member of ID Iberoamérica Diseña. Since 2011, he has spearheaded NoMATERIA, an initiative showcasing over 300 Venezuelan designers through exhibitions.

His work scrutinizes the origin, evolution, and ethics of objects within their ecosystems. Drawing inspiration from natural systems and patterns, he advocates for sustainable design narratives. This philosophy drives him to explore the intricate connections between design, context, and sustainability, shaping his contributions as a designer, educator, and curator committed to mindful innovation.

MEng, Product Engineering, Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina.
BID, Industrial Design, IUTAJS / Brazilian Laboratory of Industrial Design