Student Awards

IED stands out at the 2026 Delta Awards with five accolades and 21 selected projects

Date

27 July 2026

Aaron Gonzalo, an alumnus of IED Kunsthal Bilbao, has been awarded a Silver Delta Medal for his project X-plorer, while, in the professional category, four projects developed by faculty members from IED Barcelona have received Delta Awards

Aaron Gonzalo's recognition comes as part of the 2026 Delta Awards, organised by ADI-FAD, which celebrate some of the most outstanding achievements in industrial design. Within the Delta Medals category, dedicated to recognising the best Final Degree Projects, X-plorer received a Silver Delta Medal, placing it among the most outstanding academic projects of this year's edition. 

Developed as the Final Degree Project for the 4-year's Degree in Product Design at IED Kunsthal Bilbao, X-plorer is a portable device for observing wildlife and flora that encourages a more conscious relationship with the natural environment through direct observation, free from the distractions of digital technology. 

The jury particularly praised the project, stating that it «focuses on a single-purpose device dedicated to a specific function, independent of the mobile phone. The object presents information in an innovative way, supported by a refined aesthetic». 

Beyond Aaron Gonzalo's achievement, IED once again demonstrated a strong presence in the professional category of the Delta Awards. Twenty-one projects developed by faculty members from IED Barcelona and IED Kunsthal Bilbao were selected and, of these, four projects from IED Barcelona each received a Delta Award: a Silver Delta Award in the Materials and Construction Elements category, the Delta Opinion Award, a Silver Delta Culture Award in the Events category, and the Delta Culture Opinion Award. 

All selected projects from the IED community are featured in the exhibition Delta Awards 2026. Industrial Design and Design Culture, organised by ADI-FAD at the Disseny Hub Barcelona. The exhibition brings together 203 selected projects from 422 submissions, offering an overview of the latest developments in industrial design. It will remain open until 6 September. 

 

Aaron Gonzalo receives the Silver Delta Medal

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