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Francisco Jaramillo (b. Medellin) is an award-winning Colombian designer who turns to local materials for his furniture, resulting in pieces that are uniquely Colombian. In collaborating with local artisans and imparting his knowledge of process and material through teaching, he has helped shape a design culture that does not derive its methods solely from Western or international influences.

Growing up in Medellín, Jaramillo was always looking to the sky to derive shapes from cloud forms, and today, his design continues to be inspired by his surroundings, turning to local materials rooted in place. After finishing his university studies, the designer traveled to Barcelona to specialize in furniture design at ELISAVA, working with designers who influenced his work with local materials. Upon returning home to Colombia, he launched Fango, which explores the relationship between man, context, and object, combining technology with artisanship to craft collectible furniture driven by a clear narrative.

As a result of his close work with artisans, Jaramillo began studying local materials, developing the Ibuju collection, which rethinks the design and manufacturing of native wooden pieces using a natural, renewable fiber called “Yaré”. The Ibuju stool earned Jaramillo a 2023 Wallpaper* Design Award in the “Best New Weaves” category. The designer has also participated in design weeks around the world, including Dutch Design Week, Wanted Design, Abierto Mexicano de Diseño, and Medellin Design Week.