FESesDESIGN 2026 returns to Barcelona with a new edition focused on hands-on design practice
Barcelona will once again position itself on the design map with a new edition of FESesDESIGN, the event driven by ESDESIGN that will bring together professionals, students and creative profiles on 12 and 13 June 2026 at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm. Over two days, the festival offers an immersive experience that combines hands-on learning, inspiration and networking, with the aim of connecting emerging talent with the reality of the sector.
FESesDESIGN is thus consolidated as a reference space to experience design from within, through a programme that integrates workshops, city tours, conferences and networking spaces between attendees and professionals. A proposal designed to encourage active learning, the exchange of ideas and the creation of real connections within the creative community.
12 June - Learn by doing
The programme will begin on Friday 12 June with a day focused on practice. Attendees will be able to take part in a selection of workshops and ESDESIGN Tours, designed to work directly with professionals and engage with real industry dynamics.
The workshops, which will take place at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm from 10h to 17h, will address different areas of design from contemporary approaches, such as the application of artificial intelligence in creative processes, the development of projects with biomaterials or design as a tool for dialogue and social impact. At the same time, the tours will explore different parts of Barcelona to discover how design is materialised in the city, from brand building to the exploration of trends or its application in everyday life.
All activities will take place simultaneously, so each participant will be able to take part in a single experience, selected in advance through an application process and validated by an expert committee. The day will conclude with CONNECTING DESIGNERS, a networking space designed to encourage exchange and connection between attendees and professionals in the sector.
13 June - Inspiration and future vision
On Saturday 13 June, the focus will shift to reflection and inspiration, with a programme of conferences and talks that will bring the public closer to the experiences, processes and visions of contemporary design professionals.
Throughout the day, attendees will be able to discover new perspectives, understand the current challenges of the sector and connect with different ways of approaching creativity from professional practice. A space conceived to inspire, generate critical thinking and broaden perspectives on the role of design in today’s society.
In addition to its educational and experiential proposal, FESesDESIGN reinforces its social dimension in this edition. Access to the event is free and linked to a voluntary donation from €1 to Arrels Fundació, an organisation that has been working for over 30 years supporting people experiencing homelessness in Barcelona. Through this collaboration, the festival highlights the role of design as a tool capable of generating positive impact beyond the creative field.
With this new edition, FESesDESIGN reaffirms itself as a key meeting point for those who want to learn, get inspired and actively take part in a community that understands design as a driver of transformation. Registrations are now open, both to attend the conferences and to apply for the workshops and tours.
