Anna Calvera

Full Professor of Aesthetics, History, and Theory of Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Universidad de Barcelona.

As Head of Studies at the Faculty, throughout 2004, coordinated the working teams responsible for preparing the project for the design of undergraduate degree programs in accordance with the terms of the call issued by the ANECA (Agencia Nacional para la Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación) in November 2003.

One of these projects involved the development of the White Paper for a university undergraduate degree (BA) in design. The project involved the 12 publicly-owned Faculties of Fine Arts in Spain, as well as all the design schools in Barcelona that offer the Graduado Superior en Diseño recognized by a university. The project has been positively evaluated by the ANECA and is now recognized as a White Paper.

As a researcher, has published a book on the design theory of William Morris (Destino, Barcelona 1992) and several articles related to the experience of the Arts and Crafts movement and the history of graphic design in Catalonia and Spain. In the field of design history, has been a promoter and active participant in the International Meetings of Design Historians and Scholars, of which four editions have already been held (Barcelona 1999, Havana 2000, Istanbul 2002, and Guadalajara-Mexico 2004). These meetings are dedicated to revising the history of design from the possible plurality derived from a geo-cultural perspective and the feasibility of the center-periphery dynamic in reconstructing design histories.

Has also published articles on aspects of aesthetics and design theory in TipoGráfica, Temes de Disseny, Etapes Graphiques, among others. With design students in mind, has co-edited, together with Yves Zimmermann, the book Arte ¿? Diseño, recently published (Gustavo Gili, Barcelona 2003).

As a professor, has taught courses and delivered lectures at various centers dedicated to design education in Europe and Latin America. Within the doctoral program of the UB, is currently working on issues related to design research.