Design for food systems was born out of the food industry’s need for a profile that integrates creative knowledge of design, gastronomy, food, and sustainability. This Bachelor was created to prepare professionals that are able to work in food design projects, where a profile that addresses the problems of contemporary food systems in a cross-disciplinary way is required.
Bachelor in Design for Food Systems
In this bachelor, taught by Elisava and CETT, we train professionals with a transdisciplinary profile at the intersection between design and food, capable of acting with critical thinking from design for food systems and sustainability.
Presentation and objectives
The Bachelor in Design for the Food System aims to train students in design and gastronomy practices in the food sector. This programme provides creative, systemic, and technical skills through design to collaborate with teams of experts in the food system, designing services, products, and experiences. We train designers capable of combining creative, technological, and sustainability skills, applying design processes in projects related to food production, processing, distribution, consumption, as well as food waste management.
This programme is presented as a new opportunity for our territory, internationally recognized in the world of food design and gastronomy, to lead the way towards food practices that are respectful of the planet.
In the Bachelor in Design for Food Systems:
- You will connect the fundamentals of design with the culinary arts from an interdisciplinary perspective.
- You will identify the processes that shape the food systems for the application of design in production, processing, distribution, and consumption up until the sustainable management of waste.
- You will detect social and ethical situations in order to develop projects applied to the food system.
- You will apply the main processes, methods, and techniques of design, together with culinary processes, in an integrated manner for their application in the context of the food sector.
- You will interpret the relationship between design, technology, and food with a sustainable future perspective.
- You will relate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to design projects that respond to the challenges of the food system.
Synergies between design and gastronomy (Elisava + CETT)
Design and gastronomy are constantly changing and evolving to adapt to the new needs of society, but also to anticipate them. Thus, we understand food design as a new way of expression for gastronomy, based on innovation and food sustainability. At Elisava and CETT we work through the training, generation, and transfer of knowledge.
Studying food system design
Food system design focuses on innovation throughout the food value chain. This includes everything from sustainable production to improving the consumer experience. Studying food design systems at Elisava will allow you to explore how food design can transform the way food is grown, distributed, and consumed, and how we can do this in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way.
Recommended entry profile for the Bachelor in Food System Design
The recommended entry profile for the Bachelor in Food Systems Design is for students who have a great curiosity and interest in understanding the complexity of the world, especially in the field of food and design. Students will develop the necessary abilities to become skilled professionals in the field of food system design.
Subjects in the Bachelor in Food Systems Design
Throughout the Bachelor in Food Systems Design, students will take subjects in several key areas, such as:
- Food sustainability and circular economy
- Gastronomic experiences design
- Food technology
- Food culture
- Waste management
Who is the Bachelor in Food Systems Design addressed to?
The Bachelor in Design for Food Systems is aimed at students with an interest in food design and sustainability. It is well suited to those who wish to develop innovative solutions in the food industry with a vision of the future that combines creativity, technology, and social awareness.
More information about the Bachelor in Design for Food Systems on the CETT website.
Why study the Bachelor in Design for Food Systems
Each year, more than 2,000 students (Bachelor, Master, and other programmes) of more than 100 nationalities study in Elisava and the CETT.
We have more than 1,000 agreements with companies, institutions, and NGOs to bring our students into closer contact with the professional sector. In addition, both centres organise a Talent Day (job fair), creating a dynamic ecosystem that links the recruitment needs of companies with talent.
Class groups are small (25 students on average) in order to promote practical and personalised training, as well as to ensure a close and personalised follow-up.
Research is a fundamental pillar of our Faculty. Elisava Research is made up of more than 60 active researchers. It also offers the possibility of doing a PhD in its own programmes and with universities from all over the world.
CETT’s Cuisine and Gastronomy Research Group focuses on the study of culinary and gastronomic sciences from three main areas: sustainability, innovation, and gastro-health. The holistic vision of gastronomy can share the three lines of research.
We prepare our students to be analytical, critical, creative, and innovative thinkers, original, resilient, adaptable, and capable of solving complex problems. We also study in depth the use and design of new technologies. According to the World Economic Forum, these will be the most required professional skills in the coming years.
You will be able to access the internships and job offers of the two centres, with numerous job offers in the sector. Both Elisava and CETT are two universities with a high level of job placement at the end of their university degrees (around 90%).
11,000 m2 in Elisava with workshops and laboratories open all day as an extension of the classrooms. The CETT has more than 30,000 m2 with technical and applied technology classrooms and a gastronomic laboratory.
During the 4 courses, each student has a tutoring service as well as educational and personal guidance to promote their academic development and look after their wellbeing. In addition, we offer a free psychological and emotional support programme for those who need it.
We take part in exchange, cooperation, and research programmes with international academic institutions (Erasmus and other agreements).
If you have any question or doubts, you can contact us through WhatsApp.
Study plan of the Bachelor in Design for Food Systems
The study plan of the Bachelor in Food Systems Design is made up of 4 years: in the first, you will discover design and food systems, applying your potential as a food design professional. In the second year, you will acquire the tools, materials, and techniques of design and gastronomy. From the third year onwards, you will participate in transversal projects on food systems, depending on the optional subjects you choose. And finally, in the fourth year, you will take on specific projects with a professional focus, to finish with your Final Degree Project.
Collaboration with companies, institutions and NGOs
During the 4 years of the degree you will have the opportunity to participate in academic projects, workshops and other activities in collaboration with more than 450 companies and institutions in our network.
At Elisava, we provide you with a network of national and international contacts to do internships and participate in real projects.
Career opportunities for the Bachelor in Design for Food Systems
Once you finish your bachelor, you will be able to work in sectors such as:
Design industry
Design, development, and management of new products for the food sector (edible and sustainable products, tools, packaging…), as well as new user-focused experiences and new narratives.
Food industry
Research and development of R&D projects for the food sector (implementation of circular processes), analysis of consumer trends, design of new products…
Commercial catering
R&D of haute cuisine, product design and implementation, experience design and communication focused on user experience, optimisation of resources and tasks and circularity of processes.
Collective or social restoration
Conceptualisation, strategy and design, development of new food services for collectivities (schools, hospitals, residences, catering models, social actions).
Hotel industry
Design and development of products and systems focused on user experience, optimisation of resources and tasks and circularity of processes.
Gastronomy and health
Consultancy, research and development of R&D projects for the food sector in public and private R&D centres (detection of emerging trends in gastronomy, health and consumer habits for the development of impact strategies) and training.
Creative industries
Conceptualisation and creation of proposals for dissemination of new food systems, design of creative methodologies, workshops, and conferences.
You will have the following career opportunities:
- Private sector. You will be able to work as a designer for food systems in companies, studios, marketing departments, research centres, and in the development of new products and services at any stage of the food system.
- Research, development and innovation. Research in public or private centres (universities, public research bodies or technology centres), and in R&D&I departments of public or private companies.
- Public and private teaching.
- Entrepreneurship. You will be able to create your own business, company or start-up, for example, as a result of the development of your Final Degree Project or other project.
International mobility
If you want to travel for a few months to study in another city, we have agreements with the most prestigious international universities in the world of design. We participate in exchange, cooperation and research programmes with more than 80 academic institutions.
We are currently working to formalise collaboration agreements with international universities to start exchanges in the 2027-28 academic year.
Access
Access and pre-registration
Tuition
Elisava is the Faculty of Design and Engineering of the Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC). Although UVic-UCC is a privately owned university, access to its bachelor degrees is governed through the Generalitat de Catalunya’s university pre-registration system (two calls: June and September).
Students from non-EU countries can also access university degrees through the Foundation Year, which prepares international students who have completed secondary education in their home country.
Financing and scholarships
More information
Here you can check all the information related to financing, payment methods and scholarships that we offer to access the Bachelor in Design for Food Systems.
Quality
Internal Quality Assurance System
The academic quality at Elisava is demanding, and excellently recognized internationally. We are the first design school in Spain, we have been innovating for 60 years through a reference educational model.