Amics de La Rambla drives a new model of souvenirs with the collaboration of Elisava

Design school students have presented their projects that will be exhibited at the Maritime Museum until June 11th

As part of the La Rambla Inventa initiative, promoted by Friends of La Rambla, Elisava School students have presented, at the Maritime Museum, different pieces they have created as souvenir objects related to La Rambla and Barcelona. This is an academic presentation focused on reflecting and generating debate about the souvenir object itself, the one we want to represent the city. Afterward, the designs, made with different materials, will be exhibited until June 11th at the same museum.

This exhibition is a collaboration between Friends of La Rambla and Elisava, School of Design and Engineering of Barcelona (UVic-UCC) within the framework of the La Rambla Inventa initiative and the Project Context: Gift Collection subject, from the third year of the Degree in Design and Innovation. Twenty-one young designers have reconsidered the concept of souvenir through Catalan cultural tradition, symbolism, narrative, and materiality as design drivers, creating a collection of souvenir objects reflecting the essence and local authenticity of Barcelona, and particularly La Rambla. To enrich the design process and strengthen the connection with local craftsmanship, the participating students have worked with 4 artisans, who have offered their knowledge and resources to produce functional prototypes: Llenas Natur for cork, Pròsper Riba Vilardell (The Glass Apprentice) for glass, Olga Serral for paper, and Julen Ussia for clay.

• El nas de La Mercè - Memory Encapsulators: set of 4 bottles with organic shapes that act as small memory capsules, each with an aroma representing an essential aspect of the city. Authors: students Oihana Gómez Segura and Ruth Soler Martí, glass blower artisan Pròsper Riba Vilardell, and perfumer Ramón Monegal.

• Memory Matters - The past in your hands: collection of postcards made of recycled paper, crafted by hand, incorporating materials related to the history of the place. Authors: students Eugenia López and Anna Contreras, and recycled paper artisan Olga Serral.

• Esmicolar - Break the cover, not the tradition: it is a glass spoon designed specifically to break the caramelized sugar layer of the crema catalana. Authors: students Júlia Vilas, Jökull Þór Ellertsson, and Kitty Hiscox, and glass blower artisan Pròsper Riba Vilardell.

• Arrels - Growing the roots of tradition: in homage to the simple act of buying flowers at the kiosks of La Rambla, a hand-blown glass vase has been created connecting past and present through symbolism and function. Authors: students Nora Castellblanque and Gustav Lyager, and glass blower artisan Pròsper Riba Vilardell.

• Colla - Stacked in unity: the product consists of stackable clay cups and trays that, when joined, form the silhouette of a human tower. When disassembled, they turn into a functional vermouth game. Authors: students Tristan Cardinal and Laia Durall, and thrown clay artisan Julen Ussia.

• Regalimar - Tabletop testimony: a ceramic pitcher that aims to make visible what is normally hidden: the stain on the tablecloth, the falling drop, the small accident. Authors: students Jara Beso and Júlia Feixa, and thrown clay artisan Julen Ussia.

• Brot - From the earth to the heart: product composed of two pieces in dialogue, a metallic rod designed to be inserted into the bottle to efficiently cool the wine, and a cork stopper that not only seals but also allows pouring with precision and elegance. Authors: students Arnau Amado and Núria Tió, and cork and metal artisan Lluís Llenas.

• Canaleta - Drink to return: water jug, inspired by the Canaletes Fountain. Authors: students Carmen Clotet and Daniel Aviñó, and thrown clay artisan Julen Ussia.

• Fragments - Translating the essence: collection of four jugs made of mashed paper, each inspired by an emblematic architectural element of the city. Authors: students Ivet Lopez and Laura Sanz, and recycled mashed paper artisan Olga Serral.

•  Pom - A gesture that brings you closer to the city: project centered around the Panots de Barcelona, the urban tiles from the early 20th century. The surface shapes of the tile are transferred to the object's surface, a cork knob. Authors: students Leonor Santos and Cristina Riera, and CNC-cut cork artisan Lluís Llenas.

Simultaneously, a collective editorial piece has been developed where participants have presented their work accompanied by reflections on the key themes addressed in their projects.  

"It is an honor for us that Friends of La Rambla and the Barcelona City Council have entrusted us with this project. With this collaboration, we want to propose a new souvenir object designed and created in Barcelona, crafted in the city and representing us," explains Luis Eslava from Elisava, project manager and representative of the academic team.

This presentation is part of the initiative promoted by Friends of La Rambla "La Rambla Inventa," whose aim is to be the voice of the creative minds in the neighborhood and the city. The goal is to transform and renew the commercial offering of La Rambla and its area of influence through the design of a La Rambla souvenir object, designed and created locally and aimed at everyone; both locals and visitors.

La Rambla Inventa

This is a long-term initiative meant to transform and balance the commercial offering of La Rambla and its area of influence. Through engaging participation (contests, innovative product fairs, reflection on product design, joint exhibitions, creative displays...), new products are aimed to be created that better represent La Rambla and the city, in order to achieve a new high-quality souvenir object.

"La Rambla Inventa" is part of the project "La Rambla, A new model of urban tourism 2023-2027" promoted by Friends of La Rambla with the support of the Barcelona City Council, GetYourGuide, and the Government of Catalonia. The project aims to reflect on the tourism model and improve its management.

The resulting products, like the Pòsters de La Rambla collection launched in 2024, are sold in some shops along La Rambla and on the Friends of La Rambla website: https://www.amicsdelarambla.cat/cat/botiga-online.html

Friends of La Rambla's goal is to enhance the value and design of the product, rooting it more deeply in the territory and reflecting a creative Barcelona, with the help of the city's design schools and the rich cultural fabric close to product design.