ESDESIGN, finalist at the ADG Laus Awards 2026 with Three Projects
ESDESIGN, Barcelona Higher School of Design, part of Planeta Formación y Universidades, reaches a new milestone in its academic and creative journey by being named among the finalists of the ADG Laus Awards 2026, one of the most prestigious recognitions in graphic design and visual communication in Spain.
In this edition, three projects developed by students of the school have been selected as finalists, reinforcing ESDESIGN’s presence in one of the most demanding stages in the industry. This recognition highlights both the quality of the proposals and the school’s ability to train creative profiles aligned with current professional demands.
The selected projects are ZHÁ: Origin’s Essence, by Hadith Solano Nieto, and Tàpies x Mugaritz, by Anna López del Mazo, both developed within the Master’s in Design and Art Direction, as well as Cardboard Heart, by Catalina Ferreira Martin, created as part of the Master’s in Illustration and Animation.
Each of these proposals stands out for its conceptual strength, execution and ability to engage with contemporary issues and contexts. ZHÁ: Origin’s Essence reinterprets Colombian cacao from a contemporary luxury perspective, linking identity, origin and visual storytelling. Meanwhile, Tàpies x Mugaritz creates a dialogue between art and gastronomy, translating the universe of Antoni Tàpies into an innovative sensory experience. Finally, Cardboard Heart addresses social inequality through a short film entirely built from cardboard, using this material as a visual metaphor for fragility and precarity.
The presence of three finalist projects in this edition reinforces ESDESIGN’s positioning as a school capable of driving emerging talent and placing it within the professional landscape, competing directly with leading studios, agencies and creatives.
The finalist projects will compete for Gold, Silver or Bronze, to be announced on 11 June during the ADG Laus Night in Barcelona, one of the key events in the sector.
In addition, the selected works will be included in the awards’ annual publication, which brings together the most outstanding projects of the year.
From ESDESIGN, we would like to congratulate Hadith Solano Nieto, Anna López del Mazo and Catalina Ferreira Martin on this achievement, which reflects the talent, creativity and commitment of our community.
This recognition not only highlights the quality of the projects presented, but also reinforces the school’s ability to train professionals prepared to face the challenges of contemporary design from a critical, strategic and creative perspective.
