Educación de calidad

A delegation from FADCOM–ESPOL took part in the 82nd NASAD Annual Meeting in the United States to exchange experiences on curricular innovation, artificial intelligence, academic quality and links with industry, with a view to strengthening education in art and design.

Lourdes Pilay, Ph.D., a lecturer at FADCOM, presented a research paper on the ornamentation found in Guayaquil’s heritage architecture and its value as an expression of identity and visual memory. The study highlights graphic design as a tool for promoting its preservation and cultural dissemination.

Michael Arce Sierra, M.Sc., a lecturer in Graphic Design at FADCOM–ESPOL, presented research at TICEC 2026 on the educational potential of interactive children’s stories using 3D augmented reality, exploring new forms of interaction and learning through emerging technologies.

Gabriel Briones Jara, M.Sc., an alumnus of the Master’s programme in Art and Technology at FADCOM–ESPOL, won the Best Paper Award at TICEC 2026 for his research into the use of vibrations in educational video games for children aged 4 to 5. The study demonstrated a more positive emotional response to haptic feedback and highlights its potential for developing more engaging digital educational experiences.

Vórtice 2026, organised by FADCOM–ESPOL, concluded with lectures, an awards ceremony for student projects, cultural performances and practical workshops. The event promoted the exchange of knowledge, creativity and collaborative learning amongst students, lecturers and professionals in the fields of design and audiovisual communication.

Vórtice 2026 began on 14 October in the STEM building at ESPOL, with the participation of students, lecturers and professionals from Chile and abroad. The programme included four talks on film, artificial intelligence, art direction and creativity, as well as practical workshops on photomontage, digital collage and business strategy. The event promoted the exchange of experiences, hands-on learning and the connection between academic training and the professional world of design and audiovisual communication.

The talk ‘Did you see that brand?’, delivered by Diego Gómez, a mechanic and CEO of DG Motors, brought together around 80 students from FADCOM–ESPOL to explore how strategic communication and content creation strengthen a brand’s identity. Drawing on his experience, Gómez shared tools for connecting with audiences on social media and emphasised that the challenge is not just to generate views, but to ensure that a brand remains in the public’s memory.

Lümia, a modular organiser inspired by the Bauhaus school, was one of the winning projects at the Latin American Design Awards (LAD Awards). The proposal was developed by Jeffersson Zambrano, Ariana Lozada and Belén Villegómez, students at FADCOM–ESPOL, as part of the Design Workshop II module, under the guidance of lecturer Jimmy Cañizares. This international recognition highlights the students’ creativity and talent in product design.

“La Tribu Guayaca,” a project developed by students in FADCOM's Design Workshop I under the guidance of Professor Da Hee Park, was selected as a finalist in the Br 2026 Awards. The project combines Guayaquil's cultural identity, creativity, and sustainability through the use of recycled paper and cardboard.

FADCOM students, under the guidance of Professor Alla Kondratova, present “A Charm Adorns Your Face,” an exhibition of portraits created in the Drawing II course, in which they explore human identity and expression using techniques such as graphite, charcoal, chalk, and colored pencils.