"Reality Distortion" shines at the Llum BCN 2025 festival
Last Friday and over the weekend, Llum BCN once again lit up the streets of Poblenou with 45 innovative artistic proposals that explored the potential of light as an expressive language. According to the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona (ICUB), the event's organizer, around 300,000 people enjoyed the light arts festival in the Catalan capital.
Our School participated in Llum BCN 2025 with “Reality Distortion”, an installation designed and developed by students from the Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design that invited the public to question how misinformation affects our perception of the world.
A sensory journey through truth and manipulation
Located in the square in front of our campus, the installation used lighting and smoke effects to visually represent how misinformation can cloud our understanding of reality. Through an immersive atmosphere with contrasting cool lights and red flashes, visitors experienced a visual metaphor for information distortion and its impact on contemporary society.
The installation also featured an interactive experience with wooden structures that visitors could assemble. As student Xavi Reina, one of the project’s creators, explained, these structures "symbolize what we can build together to create a better world".
The goal of "Reality Distortion" was not only to create a visually striking experience but also to spark deep reflection on the influence of media and social networks in shaping our beliefs. In a world in which access to information is immediate, yet content accuracy is constantly questioned, raising awareness about media literacy and critical thinking is essential.
Design with purpose: LCI Barcelona’s social commitment
Beyond its aesthetic proposal, this project reinforces LCI Education’s European Hub commitment to socially impactful design. Our students not only develop technical and creative skills but also learn to address contemporary challenges through design.
Under the leadership of professor Edgar Domínguez, director of the Master in Lighting Design Projects, and Pedro Coelho, Head of the Interior Design Department, 4th-year Interior Design students worked together to bring this concept to life and transform it into an immersive experience that sparked dialogue among visitors.
A huge congratulations to all the students involved: Alessandro Pantoja, Andrea Álvarez, Bárbara Maya, Cecilia Barrios, Berta Forcada, Cèlia Pujol, Claudia Gracia, Estel García, Jazmín Camós, Kenza Melikyan, Laura Beltrán, Ludmila Ramírez, María José Vargas, Mauro García, Sara Bando, Samuel Díaz, Gabriela Morales, Yaqueline Barrios, Aina Zamrik, Alejandrina López, Ana Mariya Lozeva, Anna Casacuberta, Arnau Zernez, Danna Pascuales, Ester Blanxart, Ivan Paracuellos, Jordi Fitó, Julia Turró, Judith Schmidt, Laia Navarro, Meggy Linares, Alex Nadal, Ona Pérez, Pol González, and Xavi Reina.
A message that goes beyond the festival
Although Llum BCN 2025 has come to an end, the message behind “Reality Distortion” remains relevant. In an era marked by information overload and manipulated narratives, LCI Barcelona is committed to fostering analytical thinking and source verification, supporting projects that contribute to a more critical and aware society through design and creativity.
Congratulations to all the students and faculty who made this installation possible, and thank you to the thousands of visitors who enjoyed this #MadeInLCI experience!
Image: Cesc Maymó.