Hugo Zapata is a multidisciplinary creative director and photographer, born in Barcelona in 1972. He received a solid artistic education at the School of Arts and Crafts, where he specialized in stone and wood carving, and later studied at the Massana School of Design. He further expanded his expertise by completing photography studies at GISART Photography School in Barcelona. Throughout his career, Hugo has worked extensively in graphic design and branding, earning recognition for his innovative approach and meticulous attention to detail.
Over the years, he has served as a jury member for the ADG-FAD (Association of Art Directors and Graphic Designers) and is a member of Art Directors Europe and ICOGRADA (International Council of Graphic Design Associations). More recently, Hugo became the first designer in the world to authenticate his creations using his own DNA. This groundbreaking technique guarantees the authenticity of his work, strengthening the personal connection and originality of each piece while providing an effective safeguard against counterfeiting.
Hugo began his professional career in 1987 at ARGE Publicidad in Seville, where he worked as part of the creative studio. In 1989, he joined CID.BMZ! in Seville as Head of Design and Creative Director. In 1991, he moved to Barcelona to work as a creative at Estudi Andreu, before relocating to Madrid in 1993 to join Publicis España – Compañía Asociados, where he continued his work as a creative. In 1997, he became Creative Director and Designer at BWP Global Communication.
Since 2005, Hugo has worked independently as a Creative Director, Designer, and Photographer, collaborating with agencies and clients across Spain, Italy, France, Russia, and the United States. With more than 35 years of professional experience, his work has reached over 120 countries, with a particular focus on packaging design and photography.
Throughout his career, Hugo has worked with leading national and international brands and institutions, including Alimentos de España, Alimentos de Andalucía, Turismo Andalucía, Matutano, Coca-Cola Spain, Aceites del Sur, Coosur, Persan, Monova España, RUUD (USA), Freixenet, Mattel, the Seville Tourism Board, the City Councils of Seville and Valencia, the Provincial Council of Valencia, Turisme Barcelona, Bodegas Alvear, González Byass, Chinchilla Wines, Delgado Zuleta Wines, Nordwik Ice Cream, Panrico Spain, Donuts Spain, Mantecado de Estepa, La Rondeña, La Molisana (Italy), Garofalo (Italy), Ponti (Italy), Café Catunambú, and Moloe Delo Moscow (Russia), among many others.
His work has received numerous prestigious awards. In 2013, he won the Best Packaging Design Award alongside Marc Praquin Agency in Paris, as well as the Best World Packaging Design Award at the Armonia competition in Rome. In 2014, he received the Best Packaging Design Award in Milan for his work on Oliva single-varietal olive oil, and once again won the Best World Packaging Design Award at the Armonia competition in Rome. Most recently, in 2023, he received the AGRIPINA Award for Best Wine Packaging Design for Tío Pepe Rama in Spain.
Hugo Zapata’s career stands as a testament to dedication, innovation, and authenticity in the fields of design and visual communication. His distinctive approach—now reinforced by his pioneering DNA signature—underscores his commitment to originality, artistic integrity, and excellence, establishing him as one of the leading figures in contemporary international design.