Over the past 25 years Barcelona has become one of the world capitals of design. Thus, as design has become a strategic sector for Barcelona, 22@Barcelona is developing the Design Cluster, a cluster of excellence and innovation with international projection, in the city center.

Different clusters are being consolidated in the innovation district: Media, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), MedTech, Energy and Design. The 22@Barcelona cluster model increases the competitiveness and ability to innovate and internationalize of economic agents in the district by concentrating the top companies, public agencies, universities and research centers in sectors considered to be strategic, like design. 

This cluster model also creates the necessary conditions to attract new companies and innovative talent from around the world and encourages the creation of a community of professionals connected to the global network.

The Design Cluster, driven by BCD together with 22@Barcelona, will dynamize the business fabric with both inter- and intra-sectorial events, and will reinforce the Barcelona brand in the design and innovation field internationally.

Currently, the 22@Barcelona area already has a number of service companies, like those located in Palo Alto (Estudi Mariscal, Morera Design, ADD + Arquitectura, Alex Gasca+Train01, Duch Claramunt, Fernando Salas Studio, GEC-UOC Grup, Laiguana, Pasarela, Puresang and Sans Visual Studio), as well as Ruiz+Company, Torres & Torres, Estudi Arola and CDN; in addition to the Open University of Catalonia, the Pompeu Fabra University and BAU School of Design; plus the Leitat Technology Center, among others.

To see the financial report on the design sector in Catalonia and Barcelona, click here.