In the world of design, some careers are built quietly but leave a lasting impact. Manel Molina’s is one of them: a path woven between the tradition of Barcelona design and a contemporary vision that has evolved without losing its authenticity.
Born in Barcelona in 1963, Manel Molina studied design and interior design at EINA, one of Catalonia’s most important design schools. He began his professional journey in 1985 at the legendary Miguel Milà Studio, where he spent four years absorbing the essence of honest, functional, and deeply human design.
Alongside his time at architecture studios such as Fco. Llorens, Manel explored other disciplines from an early age: visual merchandising, restoration, temporary installations. This multifaceted approach already hinted at a broader curiosity for design as a transversal tool.
In 1991, his career took a defining turn when he co-founded the studio Lievore Altherr Molina with Alberto Lievore and Jeannette Altherr. From that moment, the studio became a benchmark in contemporary Spanish design, combining projects in furniture, product design, interiors, and packaging with a strong emphasis on art direction. Their signature is recognized for its formal clarity, its balance between the technical and the poetic, and a subtle yet constant Mediterranean sensibility.
During this period, Molina also developed a strong teaching practice, shaping new generations of designers in universities across Spain. His work has received both national and international acclaim, and has traveled to major design capitals such as Milan, Stockholm, Chicago, Tokyo, New York, London, and Paris, among many others. His pieces, ideas, and design processes have been regularly featured in specialized publications worldwide.
In 2016, Molina began a new chapter with the creation of Estudi Manel Molina, where he continues to explore design from a more personal perspective. Surrounded by a core team made up of Raimon Monsarro, Daniel Castro, and Blanca Roigé, the studio specializes in furniture, product design, and communication, maintaining a coherent line of formal simplicity, sustainability, and contextual sensitivity.
Today, Estudi Manel Molina is synonymous with creative maturity, with a serene aesthetic that does not shy away from innovation, and a commitment to design as a tool for both functional and emotional improvement. A practice that looks ahead, while honoring all that has been learned.