UDD Design brings together over 100 organizations to celebrate the anniversary of the RED Program

During the event, the university honoured the contributions of public and private organizations that have been key strategic partners over the past 25 years, opening their doors to students through various initiatives.

An emotional gathering took place on Tuesday, July 15. The Faculty of Design at Universidad del Desarrollo presented more than 60 awards to public and private organizations, as well as faculty members who have contributed to the RED Program. Attendees included companies featured in the latest edition of the RED book, as well as organizations currently involved or seeking to join the initiative.

The event was attended by key university authorities, including Federico Valdés Lafontaine, Rector of Universidad del Desarrollo; members of the Board of Directors Verónica Délano Méndez, Claudia Fehlandt Eggers, and Christian Sturms Stein; University founders Cristián Larroulet Vignau and Joaquín Lavín Infante; UDD Prorector Ernesto Silva Méndez, Daniel Contesse Strauss; and Dean of UDD Design, Alejandra Amenábar Figueroa.

The book launch also featured a keynote by Holger Paulmann, President of ICARE and CEO of SKY Airline, who spoke on the topic “Innovation is Deeply Human.” He reflected on various design challenges faced at SKY Airline, Siderúrgica Huachipato, and 1KO, emphasizing that regardless of the industry, innovation requires looking beyond immediate needs. He encouraged attendees to act, stating, “innovation is not just about applying new technologies or processes; it’s an act of leadership, empathy, and purpose.”

Dean Alejandra Amenábar highlighted the work of the students and thanked the organizations that have trusted and collaborated with UDD Design. “These are not just projects. They are real learning opportunities, spaces for innovation, and paths to impact. Each represents the potential of design when it connects with business, territory, culture, and technology. We want this book to also be a tool to inspire new partnerships, new ideas, and new paths forward. An invitation to keep designing the future together.”

«Connections that transform: 25 Years of UDD Design» also served to recognize organizations and professors involved in the RED Program, awarding them in the following categories:

1. Commitment to UDD Talent

Area Design, Forus (through its brand Keds), Hielo Sur, Data Observatory, Coca-Cola Embonor, Reborn Electric Motors, Inmobiliaria FG, Buk, INACAP, Grupo Axo, Cencosud, L’Officiel, and Vitatex.

2. Subcategory: Training Designers of the Future – Internship Centers

Fiki Design, Interdesign, Nave, NTTDATA, Liquid Latam, Principal Financial Group, Procorp, and Guido Vera.

3. Subcategory: Training Designers of the Future – RED Professors

Julio Moya, Jonathan Bravo, Carlos Muñoz, Nicolás Parraguez, Macarena Urzúa, Sebastián Yurjevic, Cecilia Ovalle, Enzo Anziani, Yerko Tank, Gabriela Olivares, Luis Pino, Priscilla Huamán, Javiera Alvear, Alex Hurtado, Mauricio Reyes, Darío Osorio, Crescente Rengifo, and Osvaldo Zorzano.

4. RED Spirit – Subcategory: Long-Term Collaboration

Corma, Qstone, Staron, Municipality of La Reina, NTT DATA, Principal Financial Group, Forus (Keds), Kimberly Clark, Monarch, Air France, Ellus, Janome, and Desafío Levantemos Chile.

5. Subcategory: Emblematic Projects

Tronconoble, Globant, Abbott Laboratories, Parque Arauco, Baldosas Córdoba, Puur Water, and Siemens.

6. First Organization to Trust in UDD Design

CMPC

RED in Concepción

“Connections that transform: 25 Years of UDD Design” also held a special event at the university’s Concepción campus. Among the attending authorities were UDD Academic Vice-Rector Florencia Jofré Manieu, Dean Alejandra Amenábar, and Francisco del Desposito, Undergraduate Director and Head of the Spaces and Objects Design program.

Cristóbal Herrera Gazale, Regional Director of ProChile for the Biobío Region, spoke on the value of design in creating export-ready products. Bernardita Roa Astete, General Manager of IRADE, presented on the opportunities for innovation and sustainability in the business sector.