Gemma Bernal & Ramón Isern for Disform

GEMMA BERNAL (1949) and RAMÓN ISERN (1942) for Disform.
“Cristalina” table, c. 1980.
Metal and glass.
Measurements: 73 x 200 x 100 cm.
Produced by Diseño y Forma, S.A. (Disform), the “Cristalina” table stands out for its combination of transparency and solidity. The glass tabletop, with its light and almost weightless appearance, contrasts with the metal frame, which provides stability and defines the piece’s sculptural presence. The contrast between the two materials creates a visual balance that allows the table to blend into its surroundings without sacrificing its distinct formal character.
The Cristalina table is part of the legacy of two leading figures in Spanish industrial design from the second half of the 20th century. Gemma Bernal, a graduate of the EINA school in Barcelona, began her professional career in 1968 and established a close collaboration with Ramón Isern, an industrial designer who also trained at the same institution. Under the Bernal/Isern firm, the two developed a body of work over several decades that spanned furniture, lighting, household goods, and home appliances, in collaboration with companies such as Disform, Tramo, and BD Ediciones de Diseño. Their work is characterized by a combination of geometric precision, functionality, and formal simplicity, in tune with the evolution of contemporary design in Barcelona during the 1970s and 1980s. Their creations incorporate ingenious technical solutions without sacrificing visual clarity or the object’s integration into the domestic space.