Built around
your vision.
A21 design studio was founded in 2023 in Barcelona by Jordi Cárdenas, after 25 years designing surfaces for various major automotive manufacturers. Having worked for Fiat, Lancia, Volkswagen, Pininfarina, Seat, Cupra, and Mitsubishi, one question began to arise repeatedly: How can I help you? A21 was born to answer this question. We operate as a specialized team from a single studio in Barcelona, collaborating with the design and engineering departments of the most demanding automotive manufacturers.
We cultivate lasting, trusting relationships with our clients. In every project, we are fully involved, analyzing everything from the message and design to the engineering, to bring their projects to life with the highest quality, flexibility, speed, and reliability.
The people behind A21 studio.
A small team, by design. Every project passes through the same hands, from first sketch to engineering handoff.
01 / 0301
Founder & Managing Director
Automotive Design & Surface Development Studio
Jordi Cárdenas
Experience in design strategy, project management, surface design, and Class A surfaces.
Experience
From 2001
Based
Barcelona
02 / 0302
Design Surface
Industrial designer
Gianfranco Nion
Experience in industrial design, surface design, and Class A surfaces.
Experience
From 2016
Based
Barcelona
03 / 0303
Design Surface
Industrial designer
Eduard Dols
Experience in industrial design, surface design, and Class A surfaces.
Experience
From 2013
Based
Barcelona
Design, surfaces and engineering, one conversation.
A flexible, close and connected process. From design intent to a surface ready to move forward.
- 01
Understand
We start with an analysis of the design and the company to understand what message the project wants to convey.
- 02
Explore
The creative part takes shape in this phase; we create the volume by sculpting the idea. Design and proportion come to life.
- 03
Precision
In this phase we make the design feasible. We understand engineering and manufacturing processes. From idea to reality.
- 04
Connect
We agree with our client how and when to deliver the project. For us it is very important, that is our purpose.
What we believe about surface.
From idea to form.
For us, a surface is far more than a geometric representation of a volume. It is part of a message, of a language.
A surface can completely change how an object is perceived. It can convey robustness, lightness, warmth, precision, softness or dynamism. It can make a volume feel technological, emotional, sporty or sophisticated.
At A21 we like to analyze and understand what each project wants to convey. Its intention, its character and what makes it unique. Because only when we understand the message can we take surfaces in the right direction.
That is why we believe in a close relationship with design and engineering teams. Working together, sharing criteria and understanding the project's needs at every stage lets the surface evolve without losing its original intention.
From creativity to discipline.
This is where A21 acts as a bridge between design and engineering.
We turn a creative intention into a precise, coherent surface, ready to move toward manufacturing, without losing the message that gave rise to the design along the way.
Because for us, making a good surface is not only about solving geometry, it is about making sure the form keeps saying the same thing as the idea.