With a large turnout of students, lecturers and members of the public, Vórtice 2026 kicked off on Wednesday 14 October in the STEM building at ESPOL. The first day brought together national and international professionals to share experiences and reflect on design, audiovisual communication, creativity and the new challenges facing the profession.
An opening ceremony that highlighted the value of design and audiovisual communication
The day began with a video message from the Dean of FADCOM, Dr Nayeth Solórzano, who emphasised the importance of such events for exploring the power of images, sharing knowledge and discovering new ways of creating and communicating. Subsequently, ESPOL’s Vice-Chancellor for Research, Development and Innovation, Ph.D. Carlos Monsalve, highlighted the contribution of design and audiovisual communication to cultural, social and technological development, as well as their role in connecting innovation with people. For his part, the Vice-Dean of FADCOM, Mgs. Carlos González Lema, highlighted the work of the academic community and the importance of organising events that link university education with professional experience.
Lectures to explore new perspectives
The programme included four lectures addressing different aspects of creative work and professional practice. Alex Reverté presented ‘Who’s Afraid of Cinema? A Brief History of the Fear of Images’, a reflection on cinema and the relationship between images and fear throughout history. In her talk, ‘AI Changes the Process, Not the Profession’, Karen Vinueza addressed the relationship between artificial intelligence and professional practice, inviting the audience to reflect on how these tools transform work processes without replacing the knowledge and skills specific to each profession.
From the perspective of art direction and set design, Stephanie Simmonds presented ‘Creating Worlds That Tell Stories: Art Direction and Set Design’. Her presentation explored how spaces, visual elements and the construction of environments contribute to developing narrative worlds, conveying emotions and giving a story its identity. For his part, Andrés Noboa, in his lecture ‘Creativity Is Not a Gift’, proposed understanding creativity as a skill that can be developed through practice, exploration and constant work, rather than viewing it solely as an innate talent.
The lectures attracted a large audience, with a full auditorium and a notable turnout of students, who had the opportunity to learn about professional experiences, broaden their horizons and explore different ways of tackling creative challenges.
An event that combined experience and practice
As part of the opening ceremony, attendees took part in a cocktail reception accompanied by a musical performance and a visual mapping display, which complemented the academic programme. During the afternoon, activities continued in Building 14B at FADCOM with practical workshops. Vhadir Quincha led a session on photomontage and digital photographic collage, whilst Lupe Pilay addressed topics related to corporate business strategy.
These activities complemented the lectures with practical experiences and opportunities for learning and exchange. With this first day’s programme, Vórtice 2026 reaffirms the value of linking academic training with professional experience, introducing students to new tools, perspectives and creative processes in design and audiovisual communication.
© Photography: Fiorella Avilés, Dharla Esteves and Marlon Suquilanda / Text: José Luis Castro
