This course is developed at the intersection between art, architecture, and technology, through the execution of a cross-disciplinary project in collaboration with the Faculty of Architecture and the Digital Arts program. Students will collaborate on the development and implementation of an original proposal for a light installation within the framework of the Llum BCN Light Art Festival.
The developed project must be implemented in its entirety, from the conceptual and narrative stage, to its material realization and installation on the streets of Barcelona. Participation in a world-renowned festival like this, in addition to being highly demanding, involves all kinds of learning experiences that can only occur during participation in a real project, including interaction with professionals from diverse disciplines.
Llum BCN is a leading light art festival in Europe and a cultural event greatly cherished by the inhabitants of Barcelona. Organized by the City Council of Barcelona, Llum BCN reaches its fourteenth edition with an artistic program that transforms urban spaces into a new stage, highlighting the possibilities of the language of light to transform public space. Through artistic projects based on photography, audiovisual elements, design, architecture, scenography, digital arts, and contemporary art, the festival demonstrates the infinite creative possibilities of light.
Titular Professors
Professors
Knowledge in microcontrollers, LED control, and programming.
During this course, the objectives are set as acquiring the necessary knowledge to be able to design and implement large-scale light installations. From artistic and lighting design to technical solutions for power supply and control.
Different forms of expression will be explored through luminous elements in interaction with all types of structures. Emphasis will be placed on control and actuation techniques that allow us to express ourselves and build our own language. To this end, students will learn to control lighting systems through protocols such as DMX and OSC.
During the learning process, the following specific objectives are established:
- Know how to work in a team.
- Be able to generate new ideas.
- Develop projects iteratively.
- Have the ability to design control circuits that include wireless networks.
- Be able to research autonomously and find practical solutions to technical problems.
- Know how to structure the development of systems that include hardware and software.
- Know how to design functional human-machine interfaces.
- Know testing techniques and continuous development.
- Be able to explain and present a project.
Light: Propagation, specular and diffuse reflection, refraction.
LEDs: LED types, RGB, addressable LEDs, formats, power supply and energy consumption, control techniques.
Control: Protocols, physical layer, DMX, OSC, WiFi, serial communication.
Programming: Arduino environment, Python, scripting and control, Blender I/O, real-time tools.
Theoretical Classes
During a portion of the class, the necessary content will be presented to help students get started with the different technologies that can be used for implementing the core project of the course. The intention of these classes is to provide an introduction to the topics covered, so that students can deepen their understanding during the project work. In most topics, a prior knowledge base is assumed.
Project-Based Learning
Throughout the course, a light installation will be designed and implemented in its entirety, including setup, within the framework of the Llum BCN festival. The entire process will be accompanied and tutored.
Tutorials
During the development of the project, periodic meetings will be held with professors to review progress, evaluate how learning is taking place, and supervise the correct development of the work.
For the evaluation of this course, the following aspects will be taken into account:
- Attendance and project work: 35%
- Project report: 20%
- Activity reports: 15%
- Project video: 20%
- Peer-to-peer evaluation: 10%
Participation in all stages of the project is mandatory, including meetings and presentations, installation setup and dismantling, as well as maintenance during the festival.
Evaluation criteria include:
- Consistency and participation in the different stages of the project.
- Effectiveness in collaborative work and the ability to propose and agree on design decisions.
- Quality and originality of proposals, as well as documentation of an iterative development process.
In the evaluation of reports and the final project report, the following will be valued:
- The level of understanding demonstrated regarding the topics presented.
- The ability to ask questions and conduct research.
- The correct description of tasks performed.
- The quality and clarity of written language, as well as the ability to use graphic elements as communicative aids.
- The ability to analyze and reflect on the process and results obtained.
AI Tools: If AI tools are used in any activity, a paragraph must be included stating the reasons and the prompts given to the language model.
Extraordinary Examination Period
Due to the nature of this course and its specific timelines, in case of not passing during the regular period, depending on the level of involvement and participation, the academic team will define at the appropriate time the submissions required for approval in this extraordinary session.
Llum BCN. (n.d.). Llum BCN. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://www.barcelona.cat/llumbcn/es
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Raspberry Pi documentation. (s/f). Raspberrypi.com. Recuperado 2025, de https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/
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The Makers of The MagPi magazine. (2023). The Official Raspberry Pi Handbook: Astounding projects with Raspberry Pi computers. Raspberry Pi Press.
Banzi, M. (2016). Introducción a Arduino. Ed. Anaya Multimedia. Madrid.