The school of design

The Llotja School has two campuses located in the neighbourhoods of La Sagrera and Sant Gervasi - la Bonanova. It offers a huge range of intermediate and advanced-level vocational training courses, as well as Masters courses focused on graphic arts and design and including four specialities: graphic design, interior design, fashion and product design.

The history of the Llotja or a country’s art

Although this school seems radically modern, it has a long tradition dating back to the 18th century, making it the oldest design school in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. It was set up in 1775 by Barcelona’s Junta Particular de Comerç, the Board of Trade, and the first classrooms were located on the top floor of the Llotja de Mar , from where it takes its name.

The aim was to train artists to design patterns for the textile industry, but the school soon grew and it extended its study subjects to other areas. This is how it became the most important producer of artists in Catalonia: Marià Fortuny, Damià Campeny, Lola Anglada, Joaquim Mir, Joan Miró, Mercè Llimona and Apel·les Mestres all spent time in its classrooms, as did artists from elsewhere including Pablo Picasso, who studied painting there before leaving for Paris.

Today, Llotja produces highly regarded designers, illustrators and other visual artists who each day contribute to increasing the prestige of this institution.