There’s a quiet attentiveness in the way Ana Molés looks at the everyday, an eye for details that many overlook. As a product designer at Francesc Rifé Studio, and through objects designed to stand the test of time, she embraces a kind of design that doesn’t need to raise its voice to be seen or heard.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE BEAUTY IN A PRODUCT?
For me, beauty appears when there is coherence — when form, function, and story exist in balance. A beautiful object doesn’t just meet a need; it tells something, and it does so harmoniously, without excess. I find honesty beautiful.
Is there a particular everyday object you’re especially interested in?
Honestly, I’m interested in all of them. What I value most is when a familiar object is cleverly resolved — when its design solves something in a simple and effective way. Like my toothbrush: when placed upside down, the bristles don’t touch the surface thanks to the geometry of the handle. Or a terracotta jug that keeps water cool because of the material’s porosity. Also, an iconic oil dispenser that doesn’t drip. These small gestures strike me as thoughtful and well-designed.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST OBJECT YOU EVER DESIGNED?
If I think of the very first, it goes back to when I was seven or eight. In an art workshop, I brought one of my parents’ folding wooden chairs and transformed it by covering it in glue and confetti — a kind of “party chair.” I don’t know if it was design, but it was definitely a way of intervening in the everyday.
The first piece I brought to market was MAÓ, part of La Capell’s collection. It’s a simple, sculptural piece that seeks to elevate the everyday. I produced it in collaboration with a family-run brick factory and a local ceramicist.
HOW HAS FRANCESC RIFÉ INFLUENCED YOUR WAY OF DESIGNING?
Francesc has great sensitivity — he’s meticulous and deeply passionate about his craft. Working with him has taught me to observe more carefully. His way of thinking about design goes beyond the obvious. I’ve learned to simplify, to value nuance, and to care for each decision.
WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN PROCESS TOGETHER LIKE?
It all starts with an idea or a sketch from Francesc. From there, a dialogue begins — my role is to give shape and volume to his vision and lines. He defines the essence of the design, which I then develop and refine. Together, we adjust and search for the right proportions. We draw, model, choose materials and finishes, build mock-ups… It’s a process in constant transformation and iteration, where Francesc fine-tunes every decision until we reach the final proposal.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE SOMEONE TO FEEL WHEN LIVING WITH A PIECE YOU’VE DESIGNED?
That it becomes part of their home — something they want to live with for a long time. I’m very drawn to the idea of permanence, of objects that endure. In a world where almost everything expires, designing with timelessness in mind feels both brave and difficult.
WHICH RI HOUSE PIECE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
The RC armchair by Blasco&Vila. I’m drawn to its versatility and how, from a single mold and formal language, a whole series of pieces with different proportions was developed — a coherent collection. It’s a great example of how small gestures in design can create variations that share a visual identity while retaining their own character. It also has a very refined upholstery work, an artisanal process that the brand handles with experience and savoir-faire. It’s a simple yet well-resolved piece — and for me, that’s where much of its value lies.
