Barcelona x Graphic Designers | Resources
Barcelona for graphic designers is my incomplete and ever evolving list of resources for any creative visiting this city for the first time(s).
Every recommendation is only personal, and it comes with its neighbourhood location and a hyperlink to their website, Google map or Instagram account. Life post-Covid changes rapidly, so check every business updated info and opening hours before heading there. Enjoy!
Graphic Design Events in Barcelona
Barcelona Design Week | All over
In October every year.
ADG-FAD Barcelona | Barcelona Design Hub, Glòries
Association of Art Directors and Graphic Designers, a private non-profit entity that represents professionals, studios, agencies, schools and companies throughout the State dedicated to graphic design and visual communication.
OFFF Fest | Barcelona Design Hub, Glòries
Festival of creativity, design and art hosted in March every year.
Type Thursdays
Type Thursday is a monthly gathering for type and letterform lovers hailing from all disciplines and levels of expertise. No matter your background, if you like type, you’ll be right at home.
Ladies, Wine & Design Barcelona
Meet ups for creative minds. Empowering women & non-binary creatives.
Creative Mornings Barcelona
Location: Casa Les Punxes x Cloudworks.
Sónar Fest Barcelona | Sants-Monjuïc
Every year in June, Sonar brings music, innovation and creativity.
SWAB is Barcelona’s International Art Fair | Montjuïc
Celebrated every year in October.
Barcelona Gallery Weekend | All over
Free talks and walks take place in around September/October.
Barcelona Open Studios | All over
Held in May every year, this is an opportunity for students to network by visiting artist studios all over the city.
LOOP, Barcelona’s biggest video festival
Showcasing advanced student’s video art and usually held in November.
Art Libris, International Artist Book Fair | Sant Antoni
Organised by the Design School EINA.
GRAFBCN | Fabra i Coats, Sant Andreu
GRAF is a meeting point for independent comics and self-publishing that has been held in Barcelona since 2013. GRAF aims to host publishers and initiatives around independent comics, not just limiting itself to cartoons, but also covering content that involves delving into the language of comics. drawing, graphics, storytelling and visual arts.
Festa del Grafisme | Portbou, Girona
Around October every year. The party is free, the food is not.
Còmic Barcelona | Fira Montjuïc
Hosted around May every year
Type & Graphic Design Education in Barcelona
Tipo-g | Poble Nou
C0-founded by my teacher Laura Meseguer, this typographic and type design school of Barcelona offer high quality education with the best professionals in the country.
Barcelona Caligrafía | Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
In-person calligraphy courses from established and very talented professionals including my teacher Oriol Miró.
Eina School of Art & Design
This is where I studied my Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, as well as my Postgraduate Course in Advanced Typography. Great gardens surrounding the building in the north of Barcelona.
Elisava School of Design and Engineering
This is where I studied my Masters in UI Design. They regularly hosts talks and some of them are recorded and available online.
BAU College of Art and Design
Hosting events and talks regularly including Type Thursdays Barcelona.
ESDI Higher School of Design
ESDI is a university of graphic, product and fashion design, affiliated to the Ramon Llull University, with 35 years of experience training designers. I almost enrolled here for my fashion design degree which is one of my other passions in life!
Massana School of Art & Design
Escola Massana is the municipal center for Art and Design in the city of Barcelona. It began its teaching work on January 14, 1929 as a result of the legacy of the Barcelona philanthropist Agustí Massana.
Llotja School of Art & Design
Public graphic design studies in Sant Gervasi and Sant Andreu, right next door to Nau Bostik.
ESDAPC
Public studies. Escola Superior de Disseny i Arts Plàstiques de Catalunya.
LCI Barcelona | Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
International school of art and design.
IED Barcelona | Gràcia
European Institute of Design.
ES Design. Escuela Superior de Diseño de Barcelona
Our masters are taught by active professionals in the design sector who will present you with challenges like the ones they encounter daily. Through live online classes, our programs will allow you to specialize in different areas such as space design, editorial design or advertising design.
Metàfora International Art School | Sants
Metàfora is an independent, multidisciplinary art school in Barcelona. Our flexible 3 year Studio Arts Program is designed in Blocks starting several times a year. Prospective students can join the course for a few weeks up to 3 years.
Stationery, Art & Print Shops
Art Hilgard | Gràcia
Great art and stationery shop in the heart of Gràcia.
Barna Art + Barna Paper | Eixample Dreta-Gràcia
One of my favourite stores for art materials and paper supplies.
Belles Arts Vicenç Piera | Eixample Esquerra
Art supplies. They have a great online store as well.
Químics Dalmau | Eixample Esquerra
In this old-school drugstore you can buy 1kg of walnut crystals at a great price!
Can Boada | Gòtic
Large printing sizes at a great quality and price.
Raima, the biggest (and fanciest) stationery shop in Europe | Gòtic
Great to visit even if you are not planning on buying anything.
Pepa Paper | Eixample Esquerra
Classic art supply shop next to the University of Barcelona.
Milbby | Sant Andreu (La Maquinista)
Big stationery shop in the only outdoor shopping centre I have ever visited.
Rooftop with a WOW view in Barcelona
Yourbban Trafalgar Hotel | El Born
Go on a weekday; head up to level 8 before 8pm and wow yourself! Beers are dear but worth the view.
Museums & Cultural Centres
Barcelona Design Hub | Glòries
Free entry every Sunday after 3pm + the first Sunday of every month.
La Virreina Image Centre | Raval
Free entry. Schedule: Tuesdays to Sundays and public holidays from 11am to 8pm.
CCCB Museum| Raval
Free entry: First Sunday of every month.
MACBA Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona | Raval
Free entry: Every Saturday from 4pm to 8 pm and the first Sunday of every month.
MNAC Museum | Raval
Free entry: Every Saturday after 3pm + the first Sunday of every month + May 18th (International Museum Day).
Caixa Forum Museum | Montjuïc
Free entry: September 24th (La Mercè) every year.
Fundació Joan Miró | Montjuïc
Free entry days: February 11th (Santa Eulàlia), May 18th (International Museum Day), September 24th (La Mercè) and 5-6 October (Viu Montjuïc).
Fundació Antoni Tàpies | Eixample Esquerra
Free entry days: February 11th (Santa Eulàlia), May 18th (International Museum Day) and September 24th (La Mercè).
Moco Museum Barcelona | El Born
Modern, contemporary artists & rising stars.
Fabra i Coats Contemporary Art Centre | Sant Andreu
Art factory is a municipal facility that aims to cater to every stage of creative and knowledge-production processes—research, investigation, creation, production and exhibition. Plenty of free events during Sant Andreu Festival in November + September 24th (La Mercè).
Nau Bostik Urban Art Centre | Sant Andreu-La Sagrera
Free entry to the urban and graffiti art premises.
Nau Bostik Co-working Space | Sant Andreu-La Sagrera
Great co-working space in the heart of Nau Bostik.
B-Murals – Urban Art Centre| Sant Andreu-La Sagrera
Great gallery space in the heart of Nau Bostik.
Art Centre Sala Tecla | Hospitalet
Arts Santa Mònica | Raval
Centre d’Arts Santa Mònica, more commonly abbreviated as Arts Santa Mònica, is a public venue in Barcelona, opened in 1988, for exhibiting contemporary art. It is located in the Raval side of Rambla de Santa Mònica. It hosts a number of exhibitions of contemporary Spanish and international artists every year. Free entry.
Art Galleries, Book & Concept Stores
El Diluvio Universal Concept Store | Gràcia
Fashion, accessories and illustration.
Base Elements Art Gallery | Gòtic
Contemporary works including illustration and skateboard decks.
Chandal Store Concept Store| El Born
Objects for everyone’s modern life.
Hey Shop Concept Store| Raval
Run by Veronica Fuerte from Hey Design.
Mar de Cava Concept Store| Eixample Dreta
Joyful design inspiring you since 2011.
Nuovum Design & Fashion | Raval
Local and independent designers in Barcelona.
La Central Bookstore | Raval & Eixample Esquerra
“Their cafe is reason enough to check out this bookstore, but you might also want to pop in for their English language selection. At any rate, picking up your next read and taking it into the garden to enjoy with a fresh cup of coffee is a 10/10 experience.” By Marija Pajkovic.
Finestres Art & Comic Bookstore | Eixample Esquerra
A fantastic recommendation by Laura Meseguer.
Carrer Bonavista | Gràcia
This small street in Barcelona captures so many good things! You’ll find independent fashion stores, concept stores, a couple of great restaurants including Bar But and a comic store at the end of it. If you only have a few hours in the city, this street will give you a great overview of it.
Independent Fashion Stores in Barcelona
Colmillo de Morsa | El Born
My good friend Eli is running this great independent fashion label since 2009.
Bars & Restaurants in Barcelona
La Pubilla ($$) | Gràcia
Fine dining at an affordable menu price. For lunch on a weekday only. Reservation is essential. Booking a table is essential.
Goliard ($$) | Gràcia
Great Catalan cuisine. I recommend going on a weekday for their lunch menu. Booking a table is essential.
Restaurant Santa Magdalena ($$) | Gràcia
Great Catalan cuisine. I recommend going on a weekday for their lunch menu. I went on a Thursday which they cook rice and it was outstanding! Booking a table is essential.
Les Tres A La Cuina ($) | Gràcia
Home style food at a great value. Menu weekdays + take away.
La Panxa Del Bisbe ($$) | Gràcia
Elaborated tapas to delight your senses!
Restaurant Macrobiòtic Zen ($) | Sant Antoni
Great vegan food for a great value.
El Pollo ($$) | Raval
Try their tortillas!
L’Hortet Vegetarian Restaurant ($) | Raval
Creative vegetarian dishes & set menus at a veteran stop with whitewashed walls & wooden furniture.
Quimet Quimet ($$) | Poble Sec
Tapas since 1914.
La Fuga Barcelona ($$) | Eixample Dreta
Cycling shop + Italian restaurant with gluten free pasta!
Bar Andorra ($$) | El Born
Cosy interior design and atmosphere.
Tu Cachapa ($) | Sant Andreu
Best Venezuelan food for price. Many gluten free options.
Ateneu l’Armonia ($) | Sant Andreu
Co-op local bar with a great vibe and great prices including craft gluten-free beers.
Bar La Tapadera ($) | Sant Andreu
The cheapest menú of the day in Barcelona!
Otra Cosa Taverna ($$) | Sant Andreu
Catalan-Chilean-Korean fusion. Great restaurant with a very personalised service.
Rostisseria Ecos ($) | Sant Andreu
One of my favourite roasted chickens in Barcelona
035 Bar ($$) | Sant Andreu
Wine bar next to one of my favourite squares.
Music Venues in Barcelona
Heliogàbal | Gràcia
Live music many days a week.
Sagrades Tanines | Eixample Dreta
Sundays from 1pm to 3pm vermut with rumba and other live music.
Razzmatazz | Poble Nou
Live music and DJ sessions regularly.
Sala Apolo | Sants-Montjuïc
Live music and DJ sessions regularly.
El Cangrejo | Raval
Drag shows and dance sessions.
Moog Barcelona | Raval
Classic electronic music venue and one of my favourites.
Sala Vol | Poble Nou
Live music and DJ sessions regularly.
Asociación Freedonia | Raval
Live music and DJ sessions regularly. They also organise some events for Raval Festival in June.
Robadors 23 | Raval
Concerts of jazz, flamenco & other genres in a tapas bar with stone walls & underground style.
Tinta Roja Bar Theatre | Poble Sec
Tango, Latin music & artistic events in a 1920s-style theatre cafe located in an old dairy.