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Andrés Amaya was born in Mexico City and grew up surrounded by visual arts. He holds a degree in Industrial Design from Universidad Iberoamericana and a Master’s degree from Domus Academy in Milan. His work goes beyond utilitarian object design, exploring themes such as eroticism, religion, and politics in a subtle, approachable manner, often infused with humor—yet always profound and incisive. He is considered one of the representatives of Acid Neo Pop.

His work has been exhibited at the Milan Furniture Fair (Salone Satellite), Messe Frankfurt Loft 4.1, the Franz Mayer Museum (Import Export), the Iturbide Palace (Banamex) in Life and Design Mexico, the Erotic Art Salon in Puebla, Rethinking Tradition: Contemporary Design in Mexico in Washington and Sonora, and at the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico in the exhibition Fábrica Mexicana.

His work has been featured in various magazines and books, including: Sex Design, Young Designers Americas, Diseño México Arquine, Toys for Boys, Love Design, and Vida y Diseño México.

Curriculum Vitae

Andrés Amaya Romero

Born in Mexico City

Education

  • Master’s in Industrial Design, Domus Academy, Milan (1995)

  • Bachelor’s in Industrial Design, Universidad Iberoamericana A.C., Mexico (1988–1993)

Experience

  • 2002 – Present: Co-founder of Bala Studio

  • 1996–2001: Co-founder of Metáfora, a company focused on contemporary Mexican design

  • 1991–1994: Designer and project coordinator in automotive design at Unediseño S.A. de C.V.

Solo and Group Exhibitions

2011

  • Mexican Factory: Industrial Design, Museum of Modern Art, Mexico City (Group)

  • Tzompantli Gráfico, Galería Vértigo, Mexico City (Group)

  • Galería Drexel, Monterrey, Mexico (Group)

2010

  • Erotic Fantasy, Galería Vértigo, Mexico City (Solo)

  • Creatures for the House, Drexel Gallery, San Pedro Garza García (Solo)

  • Rethinking Tradition: Contemporary Design in Mexico, Washington (Group)

2009

  • Galería TOCA, Mexico City (Solo)

  • Life and Design Mexico, Palacio de Iturbide, Banamex Cultural Foundation (Group)

2008

  • Hugo Salinas Price National Silver Award, Museo de Arte Popular/FONART (Group)

2007

  • Erotic Art Salon, Puebla (Group)

  • CHISUS Project, KONG Gallery (Group)

2006

  • Import Export, Franz Mayer Museum (Group)

2005

  • Latin American Design Foundation, The Netherlands (Group)

  • 50th Anniversary of Industrial Design at U.I.A., Mexico (Group)

  • 15th Anniversary of the Mexican Design Gallery, Mexico City (Group)

2002

  • Los muebles…, Bala Studio, Celeste Gallery / O.M.R. Gallery (Group)

  • Salone del Mobile, Milan Furniture Fair (Bala Studio)

  • Messe Frankfurt, Loft 4.1 (Bala Studio)

1997

  • Once Upon a Time an Object, Universidad Iberoamericana (Group)

  • Absent Structure, Group Exhibition

Awards and Distinctions

  • 2009 – 1st Place, Hornitos Mischieve Design Competition (by invitation)

  • 2004 – Named Best Young Designer by Wallpaper Magazine

  • 2003 – Representative for Universidad Iberoamericana at Mexico–Finland Design Encounters, Design Forum Finland & Franz Mayer Museum

  • 2001 & 1996 – 1st Place, Best Stand Design, Mexican Gift Show

  • 1999 – 1st Place, Premio Quórum in Industrial Design (Consumer Products category)

  • 1994 – 1st Place, Seguros Tepeyac Trophy

Teaching & Other Activities

  • Since 1994 – Professor at Universidad Iberoamericana A.C.

    • Courses taught: Industrial Design I, III, V, VI, Design Theory, Semiotics of Industrial Design, Materials Awareness, Modeling

  • 2011 – Jury, National Silver Contest, Taxco, Guerrero

  • 2007 & 2006 – Jury, Premio Quórum (Industrial Design – Professionals category)

  • 2005 – Lecturer: “Passionate Design”, part of “Strange Design” conference series in Querétaro

  • 2004 – Member, Technical Council for Industrial, Graphic, and Textile Design, Universidad Iberoamericana A.C.

  • 2003 – Contributor to the 2004 curriculum plan for Industrial Design

  • 2004 – Organizer and lecturer at IPN for “Automotive Design” conference series

    • Developer of basic design courses for Bionic Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Robotics, and Mechanical Engineering programs

Publications

Books & Catalogs

  • Teoría + Praxis: Architecture + Interior Design + Industrial Design (2011)

  • Love Design, DAAB (2009)

  • Toys for Boys (2009)

  • Vida y Diseño México, Banamex (2008)

  • Young Designers Americas (2006)

  • Diseño México, Arquine (2006)

  • Import Export, Exhibition Catalog, Franz Mayer Museum (2006)

  • Sex Design, Ramón Úbeda (2004)

Magazines & Press Highlights

  • Made05 – May, pp. 48–51

  • Surface #51 – pp. 64, 112

  • Expansión #902 – October, pp. 146–147

  • El Universal – July 3, 2003, Front Page of “Pasiones” Section

  • Ottagono – May 2003, pp. 116–117

  • Interior Digest – No. 4 (37), pp. 14–15

  • Mood, DI, Celeste, Reforma, Harpers Bazaar, Celular (1997–2003)

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