Marquina challenge

The Cultural Office is looking for design students to rethink the iconic Marquina oil dispenser on the occasion of the exhibition “From Spain with Design – Essence.”

As part of the Spanish Design Exhibition From Spain with Design – Essence in the United States, the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC and READ invite you to participate in a design challenge that blends creativity, functionality and cultural heritage. Inspired by the iconic Marquina olive oil dispenser designed by Rafael Marquina in 1961, this challenge seeks to reimagine a classic object with your unique vision.

The Challenge

Design your own olive oil dispenser. The goal is to create a piece that demonstrates originality, craftsmanship and respect for the timeless elegance of Spanish design. This challenge aims to guide students in their reflection during the development of the project with the advice of design professionals so that this challenge serves as help and support in their training cycle.

Who can participate

• This challenge is open to undergrad design students in the DMV area.
• No age requirements

Design specifications

The dispenser must be functional and designed to hold olive oil. Your design should be inspired by the Marquina dispenser while showcasing your unique artistry. It must be an original design and it needs to consider the principles of sustainability and design for all people (accessibility).

Submission requirements

• A detailed description of your design concept (max. 300 words).
• High-resolution images or renderings (minimum 3, maximum 5).
• Optional: a short video (maximum 1 minute) explaining the concept of the proposal.

Evaluation criteria

• Originality and creativity.
• Functionality and usability.
• Aesthetic quality and alignment with the theme of Spanish design.

Key dates

• Submission deadline: April 10th, 2025 by midnight (11.59 pm).
• Selected designs announcement: April 20th, 2025.

Recognition

This challenge will not have a single winner. Designs that meet the criteria and showcase exceptional originality and quality will be featured during the last two weeks of the exhibition From Spain with Design – Essence. Participants that meet the criteria and are selected to be included in the exhibition will enter a draw of five kits made up of Spanish products.

How to Submit

Send your submission to [email protected] with the subject line: “Olive Oil Dispenser Design Challenge – [Your Name]”.

Additional Notes

• By registering, the participant accepts the content of the competition rules.
• The ownership of the submitted projects belongs to their author(s) or owner. All participants retain the copyright on their designs.
• By submitting, you grant permission for your work to be displayed as part of the exhibition, both by the Cultural Office of the Embassy and the READ or any of its partners. The designs might be showcased online or through any Social Media channels.