ESDESIGN celebrates its 2026 Graduation Ceremony, bringing together its international community for a day of recognition, inspiration and new beginnings
ESDESIGN, the Higher School of Design in Barcelona, part of Planeta Formación y Universidades, held its 2026 Graduation Ceremony on 22 June at the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya (TNC), bringing together more than 600 students, family members, academic staff and industry professionals to celebrate the end of one chapter and welcome a new generation of designers.
For the third consecutive year, the school once again brought together students from different countries in person for a day marked by emotion, recognition and reunion. The ceremony was also streamed live, allowing family members and friends from around the world to join the graduates in celebrating one of the most significant milestones of their academic journey.
The ceremony was presided over by the institutional panel, comprising Ingrid Picanyol, designer and Creative Director, and patron of the Class of 2026; Casilda Güell, Academic Dean of ESDESIGN; Jorge Wimes, Academic Director; Grethel Valdés, General Secretary; and Florencio Castro, Director of Student Experience.
One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of the 2026 Master's Final Project Awards, recognising the excellence, creativity and impact of the projects developed by the students. This year's winners were Anna Arribas, a student on the Master's in Product Design and Digital Modelling, and Catalina Ferreira, a student on the Master's in Illustration and Animation. Their projects were recognised for the quality of their proposals, the strength of their development and their ability to address contemporary design challenges.
The ceremony also included the presentation of the ESDESIGN Best Lecturer Award 2026, which this year was awarded to Joan Cascante in recognition of his commitment to education, his ability to connect professional experience with learning, and the way he encourages critical thinking among students. This distinction highlights the invaluable work of those who not only share knowledge but also inspire, support and leave a lasting impact on their students' academic and professional journeys.
Another of the afternoon's most inspiring moments was the address delivered by Ingrid Picanyol, who served as patron of the Class of 2026. A designer and Creative Director specialising in visual, verbal and written communication, Picanyol reflected on the role of design as a tool for observing, questioning and interpreting reality. Drawing on her professional experience, she encouraged the new graduates to practise their discipline with a critical, committed and thoughtful perspective, recognising the impact design can have on society.
Following the institutional recognitions, the graduates took centre stage during one of the ceremony's most anticipated moments: the traditional presentation of graduation stoles, symbolising the completion of their academic journey and the beginning of a new professional chapter. The event concluded with a networking cocktail reception, where students, lecturers, families and guests had the opportunity to celebrate together, exchange experiences and strengthen the connections built throughout their time at the school.
With this new edition of its Graduation Ceremony, ESDESIGN reaffirms its commitment to an education that is closely connected to the realities of the creative industries, fostering talent, critical thinking and innovation. A celebration that recognises the effort and dedication of its entire academic community and marks the beginning of a new chapter for those who now become part of the ESDESIGN Alumni community.
