As a final session of Graphic Production subject, students of the Master have visited the Vanguard Gràfic printing company. A printing company located in Sant Adrià del Besòs (Barcelona) with more than 100 years of work and experience, with the objectives of helping its clients, surprising, impacting, seducing, motivating and, above all, communicating. Vanguard Gràfic offers a wide variety of services, such as: editorial production, brochures, exhibitors or displys, packaging, digital publications, among others.

Josep Amat, digital director of the printing press, has shown us all the departments that comprise it, the machines with which they work and their active functioning, their working methodology and the procedures that are carried out to achieve the maximum printing qualities and the best finishes.

We have started the visit through the pre-printing test area, where the communication between the pre-printing staff and the designer is fundamental.

In the printing department, we were able to see the spectacular Offset H-uvi machine and the amazing HP Indigo in operation, capable of making high quality prints.

Next, in the post-production department, we have seen the handling of the dies to make all kinds of cuts and marks, for projects such as business cards, folders, packaging, etc. Later we have been able to visit the machinery where the sheets, stapling and other postproduction services are made.

In addition, Vanguard Gràfic has the ideal space to develop projects in a manner advised by its I+D team. The catalogs of papers, the finishes and all the samples they have made are shown.

To finish the visit Josep Amat has given us a masterclass on colorimetry, conceptualization and identification of the types of papers and impressions that best suit each type of project. As well as practical advice to request a quote from a printing company.

We are very grateful for the opportunity and for all the new knowledge.

On November 14 we received the visit of Angel Rocamora, fiscal manager of Futbol Club Barcelona and professor of financial and tax law at the University of Barcelona (UB). All this within the subject of Analysis and management of graphic design projects of the Master.

During the masterclass he explained step by step all the tax and fiscal law concepts that we might need as graphic designers at some point in our professional career. Beginning with the function of the Tax Agency and Social Security, identifying direct and indirect taxes and their corresponding tax declarations, knowing the social obligations, the functioning of freelancers and the current regulations of these, as well as the options we have in case of want to start a company, such as the foundation of limited companies, corporations, etc. All showing us the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

Angel patiently responded to all the doubts generated during the session. It turned out to be a very interesting and necessary session for us, both for the knowledge learned about our obligations as future entrepreneurs and for the rights in front of a company.

We are very grateful.