En_Los_Zapatos_de_Isabella_Cifuentes

In the shoes of... Isabella Cifuentes

IN THE SHOES OF

March 16, 2026

Born in Guatemala and creative by nature, Isabella arrived at the University three years ago without ever having set foot in Spain before. Today, between classes, “secret” campus cafés, campus moments of spontaneous inspiration, she has managed to turn one of those everyday moments into the new cover of the Library’s brochure.

Restless, spontaneous, and with a clear passion for design, today we’re stepping into her shoes.

1. How did you feel when you found out that your design featured on the cover of the library brochure? It was pretty surreal. When I got the email, I thought it would be just general information, the usual stuff… and then suddenly I started reading it. I couldn't believe it. I had to read it over and over again because I thought I was misunderstanding it.

2. What inspired you to enter?
I had already entered last year, so when I saw the call for entries again, I was excited. Even though I’m studying marketing, I’ve design really loved design , and this was a way for me to keep practicing and enjoying it without any pressure.

3. What was the process of creating the poster like? How did the final idea come about?
The idea came from something very ordinary. I was at the Main Library, taking a break from studying, and I noticed how beautiful the building looked from the outside, with the trees and the benches. I thought that bringing all of that together in a single image would look really good.

I took a picture of it from that spot, and that's when I started working on it. It happened quite naturally—one of those moments when something catches your eye and you just go with it.

4. Have you ever entered art or design contests before?
Yes, I entered one at university last year, and I also entered a few other contests before coming here.

5. What do you like most about creating?
I like creating without pressure. I really enjoy it when I do it for myself, without any expectations. In this case, even if I didn’t win, it wouldn’t have mattered: it was an opportunity to practice and do something I enjoy.

6. TV show, book, and movie?
Book: *The Silence of the Lambs*. I loved it—even more than the movie; TV show: *Gran Hotel*, which I hadn’t heard of before coming to Spain and really got me hooked; and movie: *Black Swan*.

7. A song you’ve been listening to a lot lately?
“TUTUTU” by Elena Rose.

8. The last person you sent a WhatsApp message to today.
To my best friend, Pilu, who is also my roommate and a classmate in degree program.

9. Sweet or savory?
Sweet.

10. Mountains or beach?
Beach, without a doubt.

11. Pick one. The other disappears forever: wine or beer?
Wine.

12. The perfect way to unwind?
The beach.

13. Your favorite Disney character
Tiana.

14. A place in the world that inspires you
My home. Especially my grandparents' house. It's always a place I want to return to.

15. Saturday afternoon. A good movie or a TV series binge?
A TV series binge.

16. What’s your favorite spot on campus?
The cafeteria . It’s a very quiet place and it’s really nice there.

17. What makes you happy in your day-to-day life?
The sun.

18. A word that describes you?
Restless.

19. Where do you see yourself in a few years?
I hope I’ll be working at something I enjoy, happy… and hopefully it will have something to do with art or the creative side of things.

20. The University of Navarra is…
A stroke of luck.


Winning cover design for the library brochure