On November 21, 2025, the Faculty of Art, Design, and Audiovisual Communication (FADCOM) of ESPOL held a new edition of SHAPES, a gathering that brought together professionals, faculty members, students, and industry stakeholders to reflect on design, creativity, production processes, and market trends. The event took place at FADCOM’s facilities, consolidating its role as a space that connects academia and the productive sector through design.
The day began in the morning with welcoming remarks from Dean Nayeth Solórzano, who highlighted the importance of this event in fostering innovation from the classroom and projecting student work toward real professional scenarios. Following the opening, the keynote talks commenced, starting with María Gabriela Chica, who presented a creative reflection based on an analogy using the chair as a narrative symbol. Her presentation analyzed how this everyday object was used by artist Bad Bunny in his albums and promotional campaigns, demonstrating how design can construct cultural and strategic meanings. Next, Ulbio Cevallos delved into the process of creating clay objects, focusing on the conceptual intent behind each piece. His presentation allowed attendees to understand how raw material, technique, and narrative converge to shape objects with identity.
After the initial talks, a networking session was held at Gallery G004, where visitors, company representatives, and members of the university community experienced firsthand the projects developed by FADCOM students. This tour demonstrated that academic work not only serves educational purposes but is also built on rigorous methodologies aligned with current market demands.
Additionally, this space facilitated dialogue between academia and the private sector, promoting partnerships and collaboration opportunities. The morning continued with a presentation by Adriana Lucas, who shared successful case studies from the plastics industry, followed by Nuno Acosta, who explained how art and design can be integrated to recover ancestral knowledge and project it into new visual proposals.
Finally, Andrés Anchi shared his perspective on how design influences consumption trends and advertising strategies, highlighting its key role in brand management. The event concluded with a session for reflections and conclusions, gathering insights, visions, and new perspectives to strengthen professional training and articulation at FADCOM. SHAPES 2025 thus established itself as a platform where ideas, creative processes, and academic projection converge to generate impact in the design and communication industry.
© Photography: Patricia Robelly / Christopher Mite
Written: : José Luis Castro
