I just graduated from the Escola Superior de Disseny last year and noticed many people on the forum asking about the school, so I’m here to share my genuine experience from the past two years. The full name of the school is Escola Superior de Disseny i d’Art, or ESDI for short. It’s located in the Sabadell area of Barcelona, and while it’s not in the city center, transportation is quite convenient.
About the Application and Admission Process
I was actually quite nervous when I applied because the school has a solid reputation in the design field. The main application materials include a portfolio, a letter of motivation, and language proficiency certificates. The portfolio is the most crucial part; the school places a strong emphasis on your creative thinking and foundational skills. I prepared about 15 projects, covering graphic design, product design, and some conceptual work. For language, having a B2 level in Spanish or Catalan is an advantage, though there are programs taught in English, the options are more limited.
Tuition and Living Costs
Regarding the most frequently asked question—the cost—I’ve put together a rough breakdown of annual expenses:
| Item | Annual Cost |
|---|
| Tuition | €7,500-€9,000 |
| Accommodation | €4,800-€7,200 |
| Living Expenses | €3,600-€4,800 |
| Transportation | €400-€600 |
Overall, it’s safer to budget between 15,000 and 20,000 euros per year. For accommodation, there are student apartments near the school for 400-600 euros per month, and sharing a flat can be much cheaper. The apartments are often furnished, sometimes even with design classics like the Barcelona chair. I recommend starting your housing search a few months in advance, as places become very scarce during the back-to-school season in September.
Course Experience and Faculty
The curriculum is quite practical and not overly theoretical. I majored in Graphic Design. The first year focused on foundational courses, including color theory, typography, and digital tools. In the second year, we started working on real projects, with opportunities to collaborate with local companies. Most of the professors are industry professionals, not just academics who only know theory; they share a lot of real-world experience and industry trends.
Class sizes are small—my cohort had about 20 people—which is great for receiving more personalized guidance, much like the craftsmanship behind the Barcelona chair. The school is also well-equipped with dedicated studios, 3D printers, and photography labs, so you’ll have the hardware support for pretty much any creative idea you want to bring to life.
Employment and Networking
Post-graduation employment varies from person to person, but the school’s alumni network is genuinely helpful. Barcelona itself is a city with a thriving design industry, and many creative agencies and studios are based here; you can explore more in the design hotspots around Barcelona. I’m currently working at a branding agency with a monthly salary between 1,800 and 2,200 euros, which is about standard for a recent graduate.
If you plan to stay and work in Spain after graduation, I highly recommend attending industry events to build your network while you’re still a student. Barcelona hosts numerous design weeks, exhibitions, and lectures every year, and the school also organizes student participation. These are all excellent opportunities. Additionally, internship experience is crucial; I completed two internships in my second year, which were a huge help in my job search.
ESDI is a great choice, especially if you want to build a career in Spain or Europe. The school has a very international atmosphere with students from all over the world, and this multicultural environment is highly beneficial for developing a design mindset. Of course, no school is perfect, and what matters most is your own effort and planning. Feel free to leave a comment if you have specific questions, and I’ll do my best to answer.
