College-level students on our UAL Extended Diploma’s in 3D Design, Graphic & Digital Design, Photography, Illustration & Animation, Foundation and A-level’s enjoyed a cultural research trip to Barcelona earlier this year. The trip marks our first international college excursion since our new campus at Newport road opened. Trips like this are important cultural and social opportunities for student’s to establish new connections, learn about artists, designers and visit some of the best museums, studios and galleries in the country and Europe, recent trips have included exploring major cities like London and Manchester.

“The 2026 Barcelona trip was the first international educational visit for The Northern School of Art in Middlesbrough since the new building on Newport Road opened 5 years ago.” said 3D Lecturer Jack Pratt. “The trip brought together students from 3D Design, Graphics, Photography, Illustration & Animation, Foundation and A-Levels.”

Over the course of four days, the group visited many of Barcelona’s iconic and cultural sites, including Park Güell, La Rambla, Moco Museum Barcelona, MNAC – Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Poble Espanyol, Fundació Joan Miró, Barri Gòtic and the spectacular Sagrada Família.

Jack explains “The trip provided students with a wonderful insight into the many works of Antoni Gaudí and the opportunity to learn about Barcelona’s rich cultural history – a highlight for all being the incredible cuisine found in the treasure trove that is the Mercat de La Boqueria! Navigating airports, metro stations and busy city squares, 47 happy and tired faces returned home safe and well with many new memories and experiences and we look forward to forging new ones in the years to come with future students.”

Sebastian Briggs said “I loved the Barcelona trip I think it was incredible. I loved visiting all the famous landmarks and incredible architecture but more importantly getting closer to my class and other courses. We visited the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, the fruit markets, multiple interactive museums. My favourite part was having the ability to have free time and explore the city with friends it made it feel so much more free. We had a lot of free time and mainly used it to explore and go to other places we didn’t have a chance too.”

Graphic Design student Lily Wood said “I enjoyed it as it was very educational. My favourite part was visiting the Basílica de la Sagrada Família and Park Güell created by Gaudí. We visited the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Picasso Museum, Moco Museum and we did guided tour of the gothic quarters. We had free time to explore places we wanted to see or re-explore after a guided tour. I went round the Zara shop to get pictures on how clothing is shown to increase sales and I visited the beach while in my free time as well.”

When asked if the trip has inspired any college work Seb replied “I think this trip has massively inspired my work especially with the botanical theme to my FMP, because of all the famous landmarks and different design schemes.”

Lucy said “The trip inspired my work as it allowed me to look at and understand why or what the artist had envisioned and why the art is displayed in ways to convey emotion and feeling. I was able to take lots of photography of the architecture, designs and textures.”

Visual Diary from Lilly Wood

Speaking of her course she said “I enjoy my course (graphic design) as it explored the endless possibilities of branding, designs and even how road signs impact our daily life, our minds and emotions to allow selling or buying products, by how it is displayed or illustrations and hierarchy on T-shirts or clothing can impact us.  Also just designing brands or art to create awareness for certain problems we face.”

UAL Extended Diploma in 3D Design student Seb said “Personally I like the freedom on my diploma and how it lets me intergrate my personal hobbies into it such as horror and games.”

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