Manuela Serrat, ESDESIGN alumni, wins first prize in the 'Universo Goya' Comic Competition
Talent nurtured at ESDESIGN, the Higher School of Design in Barcelona, part of Planeta Formación y Universidades, continues to stand out across Spain's creative landscape. Illustrator Manuela Serrat, a Design graduate from Universitat Carlemany and an alumni of ESDESIGN's Professional Master's Degree in Motion Graphics, has won the sixth edition of the Universo Goya Comic Competition, organised by Fundación Ibercaja. The competition invites young artists to reinterpret the life and work of Francisco de Goya through the medium of comics.
The sixth edition of the competition, which was open for submissions from 6 February to 14 May 2026, received a total of 32 entries distinguished by their creativity and originality. The shortlisted works offered contemporary perspectives that establish a dialogue between cultural heritage and the language of comics.
Manual para reconocer a los monstruos (A Manual for Recognising Monsters) is the work that earned Manuela Serrat this award. The jury praised a proposal that combines a sophisticated visual composition with expressive use of colour and a carefully crafted formal structure. Through multiple scenes and characters, the artist establishes a dialogue between Francisco de Goya's Los Caprichos and contemporary society, translating into the language of comics a reflection on the enduring relevance of the Aragonese artist's critical perspective.
This award reflects the professional success achieved by many students who have studied at ESDESIGN. As a school specialising in design, it offers practice-oriented education closely connected to the realities of the creative industry, guiding its students in developing the skills and vision required to take on projects in fields such as illustration, design and visual communication.
