Elisava alumna Ariadna Sala has been recognized at the 10th edition of the DIA Design Intelligence Awards, held in Hangzhou, one of China’s most influential international design awards and a key platform for showcasing projects that connect innovation, industry, and society. The awards highlight proposals with strong market potential and measurable social impact, positioning design as a strategic tool to drive meaningful, sustainable change.

The award was given to Balisa, her Final Degree Project at Elisava, which—three years after its creation—continues to attract international recognition and critical attention. This ongoing trajectory underscores not only the project’s relevance, but also the conceptual strength and depth of a proposal developed through care, empathy, and design rigor, transcending the academic context to engage in the global conversation around design and social impact.

Balisa: therapeutic design to support complex processes

Balisa is a therapeutic tool designed for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The project introduces a system of pieces that represent emotions and can be combined to form a personal totem. This object acts as a mediator within the therapeutic process, helping facilitate communication between psychologist and patient when words fall short.

Rooted in product design, Balisa supports emotional management and patient autonomy by offering a tangible way to identify, express, and organize inner experiences. At the same time, it brings visibility to a reality that remains largely taboo, addressing it with sensitivity, respect, and a strong social commitment.