API's Response to COVID-19

Art and Design Studies in Barcelona

Spain Barcelona Sagrada Familia 3252139
What's Included

Founded in 1961, Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria was the first School of Design to open in Spain, and as a pioneer set the methodological guidelines that have served as a starting point for other similar schools. Throughout its history, ELISAVA’s role has been instrumental in shaping the culture of design in Catalonia and Spain. ELISAVA is a college of Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

The Free Elective program at ELISAVA offers students with or without a background in design the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment from among the top design minds in Catalonia and Spain.

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

@api Online System

Orientation Materials and Resources

Access to International Phone Plans

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

API Center

On-Site Orientation

Excursions (overnight, day, international)

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Resident Directors

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Tutoring

Housing (including meals and laundry with host families)

Language and Culture Tools

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 2.75 G.P.A.
  • Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Official transcript
  • Additional application forms (including a housing form, a course form, and visa form)
  • One (electronic) passport-sized photo
  • Copy of passport (or confirmation of passport application)
  • Entry Documents: valid passport with student visa
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Spring Jan 7, 2021 - Apr 30, 2021 $13,850 Oct 1, 2020 Nov 1, 2020
Fall Sep, 2021 - Dec, 2021 $13,850 May 1, 2021 Jul 1, 2021
Academic Year Sep, 2021 - Apr, 2022 $27,290 May 1, 2021 Jul 1, 2021
Excursions

API students participate in several excursions per session designed to help familiarize them with areas of their host city, country, and surrounding region. The following is a listing of all excursions for API Barcelona programs. All excursions are subject to change.

  • Winery and Calçotada

    El Penedès is one of Spain’s richest regions both in historical and gastronomical terms. Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is the center of production of cava (sparkling wine). You will discover a place of stunning beauty and culture in a vineyard built by “Modernista” architects. Calçotada is an annual gastronomical celebration held only in Winter time. It’s grilled green onion dipped in romesco sauce.

  • Girona and Costa Brava

    Girona is a jewel of culture and history acquired over 2.000years. The medieval town is surrounded by a magnificent wall which is preserved almost in its entirety. The Jewish quarter, known as the “Call”, spreads out in a maze of small, narrow, and often steeply sloping streets. After the historical visit, we will stop in Costa Brava to discover the beauty of the Mediterranean sea.

  • Montseny Hidden Corners

    Montseny Natural Park is known for the beauty of its scenery but also for the rich gastronomy. Ideal for an easy hike accessible for everyone it’s the perfect countryside day trip from Barcelona. We will discover the off the beaten track Catalunya from a local perspective, enjoying the landscape and the gastronomy of thisof this area.

  • Reus and Gaudí

    Reus is a town located in the province of Tarragona, a little more than an hour away from Barcelona. Its city center is awash with gorgeous modernist architecture. Although the town’s main claim to fame is being the home town of Gaudi, it has heaps more to offer than this alone. In parts of the center, beautiful buildings are so frequent, that you just turn your head and another one is staring you in the face. It has that wonderful feeling of being protected by the mountains, but with the sea only a short distance away. If that wasn’t enough, guess what: Reus is also one of the cradles of vermouth!

  • Gastronomy and the Mediterranean Sea

    Delta del Llobregat is the area placed between Montjüic and Garraf. It is a natural environment outside the noisy Barcelona. Close to the delta there are coastal villages such as Castelldefels and El Prat del Llobregat. In one of these villages students will have the chance to taste a traditional sea Catalan meal.

  • Montserrat

    Montserrat is regarded by many Catalans as the most important spiritual and cultural center of Catalonia. The 14th century Benedictine Monastery is where the monks worship Catalonia’s Patron Saint, the Black Madonna of Montserrat. As one travels up the mountains, one has a chance to admire the breathtaking views from the Shrine located 2100 feet above sea level.

  • La Garrotxa: Discovering the Rural Catalunya

    La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park is a protected territory in the Iberian Peninsula with around 40 volcanic cones and more than 20 lava flows. The villages of Castellfollit de la Roca and Santa Pau and the stunning beech trees forest of La Fageda d’en Jordà are some of the breathtaking, scenic places we will discover to fully appreciate the rural part of Catalunya outside the urban area of Barcelona.

  • Valencia

    Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and one of the most popular destinations in The Mediterranean. Valencia can seem a city of clichés: the light, the moon, the gunpowder, the paella, the flowers, and the Fallas festivals. But these are nothing but key terms to explain what cannot really be put into words.

    Visiting Valencia we will experience first-hand how centuries-old traditions coexist with modernity. We will have the opportunity to visit some of the most representative places in the city such as City of Arts and Sciences, the Oceanographic or the Old City.

  • Gastronomy and the Mediterranean Sea

    Delta del Llobregat is the area placed between Montjüic and Garraf. It is a natural environment outside the noisy Barcelona. Close to the delta there are coastal villages such as Castelldefels and El Prat del Llobregat. In one of these villages students will have the chance to taste a traditional sea Catalan meal.

  • La Garrotxa: Discovering the Rural Catalunya

    La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park is a protected territory in the Iberian Peninsula with around 40 volcanic cones and more than 20 lava flows. The villages of Castellfollit de la Roca and Santa Pau and the stunning beech trees forest of La Fageda d’en Jordà are some of the breathtaking, scenic places we will discover to fully appreciate the rural part of Catalunya outside the urban area of Barcelona.

  • Montserrat

    Montserrat is regarded by many Catalans as the most important spiritual and cultural center of Catalonia. The 14th century Benedictine Monastery is where the monks worship Catalonia’s Patron Saint, the Black Madonna of Montserrat. As one travels up the mountains, one has a chance to admire the breathtaking views from the Shrine located 2100 feet above sea level.

  • Valencia

    Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and one of the most popular destinations in The Mediterranean. Valencia can seem a city of clichés: the light, the moon, the gunpowder, the paella, the flowers, and the Fallas festivals. But these are nothing but key terms to explain what cannot really be put into words.

    Visiting Valencia we will experience first-hand how centuries-old traditions coexist with modernity. We will have the opportunity to visit some of the most representative places in the city such as City of Arts and Sciences, the Oceanographic or the Old City.

  • Lisbon

    Lisbon is a European city like no other. It boasts as grand a cultural and historical heritage as many other European cities but also has an earthier side that sets it apart. An impressive Gothic cathedral, the Hieronymites Monastery, St. George’s Castle and Torre de Belém are all part of the colorful cityscape. Another side of Lisbon is discovered wandering around the narrow lanes of Alfama, Rossio and Barrio Alto Quarters, and taking in the sounds and rhythm of the city. One experiences a step back in time through visits to the cultural sites in Lisbon, while also gaining an impression of the differences between Portugal and Spain.

  • Winery and Calçotada

    El Penedès is one of Spain’s richest regions both in historical and gastronomical terms. Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is the center of production of cava (sparkling wine). You will discover a place of stunning beauty and culture in a vineyard built by “Modernista” architects. Calçotada is an annual gastronomical celebration held only in Winter time. It’s grilled green onion dipped in romesco sauce.

  • Seville

    Seville, capital of the Andalucía region of southern Spain, is a unique example where history, tradition, and modernity merge in an incomparable city. The core of Islamic Seville includes the area on the East bank of the Guadalquivir where the Cathedral, the Christian Alcázar, and the medieval quarter is known as the Barrio Santa Cruz is located today. To explore the city’s narrow streets and smell the orange blossoms in Spring while mingling with people at a cafe is definitely an unforgettable experience.

  • Girona & Besalú

    Girona is a jewel of culture and history acquired over 2.000 years. The medieval town is surrounded by a magnificent wall which is preserved almost in its entirety. The Jewish quarter, known as the “Call”, spreads out in a maze of small, narrow and often steeply sloping streets. Besalú was a meeting place of different cultures, which have enriched the heritage of the town. It is a small and picturesque village with great architectural value.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 12 credits per semester

Founded in 1961, Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria was the first School of Design to open in Spain, and as a pioneer set the methodological guidelines that have served as a starting point for other similar schools. Throughout its history, ELISAVA’s role has been instrumental in shaping the culture of design in Catalonia and Spain. ELISAVA is a college of Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

The Free Elective program at ELISAVA offers students with or without a background in design the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment from among the top design minds in Catalonia and Spain.

This program features two tracks:

Track A: This track is for students without a design background, and is structured as follows:

  • 2 mandatory subjects
  • 2 optional courses (2 electives, or 1 elective and 1 Spanish language course)
  • 12 total credits

Track B: This track is for students with a design background, and is structured as follows:

  • A combination of 3 elective courses plus 1 Spanish language course (12 credits)
  • or 4 elective courses (12 credits)

TRANSCRIPTS

API students will receive a transcript from the Elisava – Escola Universitària de Barcelona | Disseny i Enginyeria/Universitat Pompeu Fabra upon completion of their program.

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    Alicia Castillo

    Alicia Castillo will be your Resident Director and a resource for you on-site.

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    Mireia Pujol

    Mireia Pujol will be your Student Services Director in Barcelona and will assist you in adjusting to the Spanish culture!

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    Arnau Roma Sansa

    Arnau Roma Sansa will be your Academic Director on-site and will assist you in achieving your educational goals abroad.

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    Laura Bahamonde

    Laura will be your Program Manager and prepare you to go abroad!

Courses

COURSE OFFERINGS

Per the program information page, this program offers two possible Tracks (A and B).

Track A: This track is for students without a design background, and is structured as follows:

  • 2 mandatory subjects
  • 2 optional courses (2 electives, or 1 elective and 1 Spanish language course)
  • 12 total credits

Track B: This track is for students with a design background, and is structured as follows:

  • A combination of 3 elective courses plus 1 Spanish language course (12 credits)
  • or 4 elective courses (12 credits)

The syllabi for the course offerings below can be found here.

MANDATORY COURSES (FOR TRACK A)

Students in Track A must take a set of mandatory courses. They may then choose 2 of the Elective Courses, or 1 elective and 1 Spanish language course.

CREDIT INFORMATION

Most API partner universities in Spain operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

The Global and Historic Context of Art and Design - Track A Mandatory

The objective of this course is to relate the different branches of human knowledge: architecture, sociology, history, anthropology, and art with the aim of developing a cognitive map of the world we live in. This course will analyze the basic theories of art, architecture and design culture since the industrial revolution up to the present day. Using the extensive resources of Barcelona with visits to the cities museums such as MNAC, MACBA, Joan Miró Foundation and the Picasso Museum, emblematic buildings by Gaudi, Mies Van Der Rohe, Richard Meier and Jean Nouvel as well as design stores like Vitra, BD and Vinçon and restaurants and leisure spaces around the city.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Advanced Principles in Design: Integrating Communication, Humanities, and Scientific Techniques - Track A Mandatory

This course is centered on the assimilation of procedures that allow understanding of a design language that examines the relationship between necessity and function of objects and the interaction between objects and their environment. The student is also introduced to the semantics of form, color, and materials.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

BCN. City of Cities in a Global World

This course is focused on the city and on urban design, understanding the global need growing cities have, “to sew” the modern and traditional city through a redesigned public space. In this sense, the experience developed in the city of Barcelona in the last 40 years is a great example that we will analyze in order to understand the methodologies and interiorize the tools of interpretation and transformation of the city, from the bigger to the smaller scale.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Design for Packaging

Modern-day packaging needs call for professionals with the power to communicate—both formally and graphically—the attributes of a product. With the aim of training professionals whose design is nurtured in a sense of social and environmental responsibility, the program shows the right tools for conceptualizing and developing comprehensive packaging projects. The goal is to understand the factors affecting production and selection of a package for a specific product, its possibilities and materials.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Digital Representation Principles

This course is aimed at providing students with representation concepts and techniques that are broadly applied in design fields. Based on exercises, talks and workshop sessions, the course embraces the ability of students to define and show their ideas by learning about the options and features that Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, and Adobe Illustrator offer as a powerful suite specifically conceived for design professionals. The course approaches also the basic concepts of video editing and production, as well as fundamentals of presentation techniques, in order to provide students with a complete range of options that they will put into practice in many visual communications required by the Study Abroad program as well as by future design projects.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Food, Design, and Health

This course is focused on the interaction of design, as a creative process, with food and health, as a fundamental part of human being. The relation between design food and health is not only based on the tangible aspects (space, forms, product, packaging…) but in a wide range of approaches, from culture to territory, from well-being to aesthetics. We must understand the whole relation of man with the environment to create innovative ways, systems or products to enhance this interaction. Designing in a creative way, connecting mind and hand, the senses and the culture, in a constant communication with other designers, will allow us to find out new ways of understanding our world and improving it.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Furniture and Product Design

This course focuses on the areas of product and furniture design. Covering the whole process from conceptualization, formalization, development, and pre-production of a designed object from the human, domestic or work environment. The course will study the social, ergonomic and aesthetic environment of the user, the ways of producing the final work and the impact of this on the environment as a whole. Students will approach the semantics of objects, their functional and communicative capacity along with the integration of materials and technology.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Retail Design / Visual Merchandising

Retail is naturally the showplace for new ideas, new concepts, and new products. As such, the store environment serves as the selling stage for the latest merchandise offerings of the day, and a tool of communication used to create a dialogue with the targeted customer. Through effective visual merchandising, the retailer communicates both the attributes of the brand and the attributes of the products offered. The primary objective of this program is to present students the importance of visual merchandising as an integral component of a successful retail strategy. Classes will include an in-depth analysis of the retail store environment.

Language of Instruction: English    Course Level: Lower Division  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Course Level: Lower Division  

View Syllabus   

Typography and Graphic Design

This course focuses on graphic communication with special attention to texts and the written word and their integration and relationship with images, colors, and textures. Projects ranging from artistic and experimental calligraphy, typography, poster composition, editorials and digital interaction. The course centers on the vision of graphic design as an essential element of communication crossing social, cultural and functional boundaries. This concept of design, not only as a formal exercise, will incorporate functional challenges and technological links, taken in this graphical context.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Spanish Language

Students in both tracks have the option to take a 3 credit Spanish language course.

Language of Instruction: Spanish   

The Global and Historic Context of Art and Design - Track A Mandatory

The objective of this course is to relate the different branches of human knowledge: architecture, sociology, history, anthropology, and art with the aim of developing a cognitive map of the world we live in. This course will analyze the basic theories of art, architecture and design culture since the industrial revolution up to the present day. Using the extensive resources of Barcelona with visits to the cities museums such as MNAC, MACBA, Joan Miró Foundation and the Picasso Museum, emblematic buildings by Gaudi, Mies Van Der Rohe, Richard Meier and Jean Nouvel as well as design stores like Vitra, BD and Vinçon and restaurants and leisure spaces around the city.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Advanced Principles in Design: Integrating Communication, Humanities, and Scientific Techniques - Track A Mandatory

This course is centered on the assimilation of procedures that allow understanding of a design language that examines the relationship between necessity and function of objects and the interaction between objects and their environment. The student is also introduced to the semantics of form, color, and materials.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

BCN. City of Cities in a Global World

This course is focused on the city and on urban design, understanding the global need growing cities have, “to sew” the modern and traditional city through a redesigned public space. In this sense, the experience developed in the city of Barcelona in the last 40 years is a great example that we will analyze in order to understand the methodologies and interiorize the tools of interpretation and transformation of the city, from the bigger to the smaller scale.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Design for Packaging

Modern-day packaging needs call for professionals with the power to communicate—both formally and graphically—the attributes of a product. With the aim of training professionals whose design is nurtured in a sense of social and environmental responsibility, the program shows the right tools for conceptualizing and developing comprehensive packaging projects. The goal is to understand the factors affecting production and selection of a package for a specific product, its possibilities and materials.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Digital Representation Principles

This course is aimed at providing students with representation concepts and techniques that are broadly applied in design fields. Based on exercises, talks and workshop sessions, the course embraces the ability of students to define and show their ideas by learning about the options and features that Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, and Adobe Illustrator offer as a powerful suite specifically conceived for design professionals. The course approaches also the basic concepts of video editing and production, as well as fundamentals of presentation techniques, in order to provide students with a complete range of options that they will put into practice in many visual communications required by the Study Abroad program as well as by future design projects.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Food, Design, and Health

This course is focused on the interaction of design, as a creative process, with food and health, as a fundamental part of human being. The relation between design food and health is not only based on the tangible aspects (space, forms, product, packaging…) but in a wide range of approaches, from culture to territory, from well-being to aesthetics. We must understand the whole relation of man with the environment to create innovative ways, systems or products to enhance this interaction. Designing in a creative way, connecting mind and hand, the senses and the culture, in a constant communication with other designers, will allow us to find out new ways of understanding our world and improving it.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Furniture and Product Design

This course focuses on the areas of product and furniture design. Covering the whole process from conceptualization, formalization, development, and pre-production of a designed object from the human, domestic or work environment. The course will study the social, ergonomic and aesthetic environment of the user, the ways of producing the final work and the impact of this on the environment as a whole. Students will approach the semantics of objects, their functional and communicative capacity along with the integration of materials and technology.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Retail Design / Visual Merchandising

Retail is naturally the showplace for new ideas, new concepts, and new products. As such, the store environment serves as the selling stage for the latest merchandise offerings of the day, and a tool of communication used to create a dialogue with the targeted customer. Through effective visual merchandising, the retailer communicates both the attributes of the brand and the attributes of the products offered. The primary objective of this program is to present students the importance of visual merchandising as an integral component of a successful retail strategy. Classes will include an in-depth analysis of the retail store environment.

Language of Instruction: English    Course Level: Lower Division  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Course Level: Lower Division  

View Syllabus   

Typography and Graphic Design

This course focuses on graphic communication with special attention to texts and the written word and their integration and relationship with images, colors, and textures. Projects ranging from artistic and experimental calligraphy, typography, poster composition, editorials and digital interaction. The course centers on the vision of graphic design as an essential element of communication crossing social, cultural and functional boundaries. This concept of design, not only as a formal exercise, will incorporate functional challenges and technological links, taken in this graphical context.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Spanish Language

Students in both tracks have the option to take a 3 credit Spanish language course.

Language of Instruction: Spanish   

The Global and Historic Context of Art and Design - Track A Mandatory

The objective of this course is to relate the different branches of human knowledge: architecture, sociology, history, anthropology, and art with the aim of developing a cognitive map of the world we live in. This course will analyze the basic theories of art, architecture and design culture since the industrial revolution up to the present day. Using the extensive resources of Barcelona with visits to the cities museums such as MNAC, MACBA, Joan Miró Foundation and the Picasso Museum, emblematic buildings by Gaudi, Mies Van Der Rohe, Richard Meier and Jean Nouvel as well as design stores like Vitra, BD and Vinçon and restaurants and leisure spaces around the city.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Advanced Principles in Design: Integrating Communication, Humanities, and Scientific Techniques - Track A Mandatory

This course is centered on the assimilation of procedures that allow understanding of a design language that examines the relationship between necessity and function of objects and the interaction between objects and their environment. The student is also introduced to the semantics of form, color, and materials.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

BCN. City of Cities in a Global World

This course is focused on the city and on urban design, understanding the global need growing cities have, “to sew” the modern and traditional city through a redesigned public space. In this sense, the experience developed in the city of Barcelona in the last 40 years is a great example that we will analyze in order to understand the methodologies and interiorize the tools of interpretation and transformation of the city, from the bigger to the smaller scale.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Design for Packaging

Modern-day packaging needs call for professionals with the power to communicate—both formally and graphically—the attributes of a product. With the aim of training professionals whose design is nurtured in a sense of social and environmental responsibility, the program shows the right tools for conceptualizing and developing comprehensive packaging projects. The goal is to understand the factors affecting production and selection of a package for a specific product, its possibilities and materials.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Digital Representation Principles

This course is aimed at providing students with representation concepts and techniques that are broadly applied in design fields. Based on exercises, talks and workshop sessions, the course embraces the ability of students to define and show their ideas by learning about the options and features that Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, and Adobe Illustrator offer as a powerful suite specifically conceived for design professionals. The course approaches also the basic concepts of video editing and production, as well as fundamentals of presentation techniques, in order to provide students with a complete range of options that they will put into practice in many visual communications required by the Study Abroad program as well as by future design projects.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Food, Design, and Health

This course is focused on the interaction of design, as a creative process, with food and health, as a fundamental part of human being. The relation between design food and health is not only based on the tangible aspects (space, forms, product, packaging…) but in a wide range of approaches, from culture to territory, from well-being to aesthetics. We must understand the whole relation of man with the environment to create innovative ways, systems or products to enhance this interaction. Designing in a creative way, connecting mind and hand, the senses and the culture, in a constant communication with other designers, will allow us to find out new ways of understanding our world and improving it.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Furniture and Product Design

This course focuses on the areas of product and furniture design. Covering the whole process from conceptualization, formalization, development, and pre-production of a designed object from the human, domestic or work environment. The course will study the social, ergonomic and aesthetic environment of the user, the ways of producing the final work and the impact of this on the environment as a whole. Students will approach the semantics of objects, their functional and communicative capacity along with the integration of materials and technology.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Retail Design / Visual Merchandising

Retail is naturally the showplace for new ideas, new concepts, and new products. As such, the store environment serves as the selling stage for the latest merchandise offerings of the day, and a tool of communication used to create a dialogue with the targeted customer. Through effective visual merchandising, the retailer communicates both the attributes of the brand and the attributes of the products offered. The primary objective of this program is to present students the importance of visual merchandising as an integral component of a successful retail strategy. Classes will include an in-depth analysis of the retail store environment.

Language of Instruction: English    Course Level: Lower Division  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Course Level: Lower Division  

View Syllabus   

Typography and Graphic Design

This course focuses on graphic communication with special attention to texts and the written word and their integration and relationship with images, colors, and textures. Projects ranging from artistic and experimental calligraphy, typography, poster composition, editorials and digital interaction. The course centers on the vision of graphic design as an essential element of communication crossing social, cultural and functional boundaries. This concept of design, not only as a formal exercise, will incorporate functional challenges and technological links, taken in this graphical context.

Language of Instruction: English   

Recommended US semester credits: 3  

View Syllabus   

Spanish Language

Students in both tracks have the option to take a 3 credit Spanish language course.

Language of Instruction: Spanish   

Highlights
  • Classes: taught in English
    • Oldest design school in Spain
      • International excursion
    Housing

    API students in Barcelona can choose from three different housing options. Students may choose to live with a host family, in a student apartment, or in a student dormitory. Internet access is included in all three options.

    Students who choose to live with families share a double room with a fellow API student and be provided with 2 meals per day and laundry service. Students can opt for a single room for an additional fee.

    API apartments in Barcelona generally have 2-4 bedrooms (the majority of which are double-rooms) with a shared kitchen, common area, and bathrooms. Apartments are located throughout the center of Barcelona and tend to be 30-45 minutes from the universities. Students can opt for a single room for an additional fee.

    Students who would prefer apartment-style living alongside other Spanish and American students would enjoy API’s dorm/residence hall option. The student dorm has both single and double-room options, with a shared kitchen and private bathroom. Internet access is guaranteed in all rooms. This option carries an additional fee.

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