PRODUCT DESIGN
with Thélonious Goupil
During this one-week workshop led by Thélonious Goupil, edits were made to a ‘drop false ceiling’ in Bar Gala Lausanne. By hacking the system, playing with existing elements such as lighting or ventilators, the outdate ceiling was given new life without the need for full renovation.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Reed Kram
No Signal! Is the the outcome of an exploratory one-week workshop completed for, and now exhibited in, the Mudac’s exhibition ‘We Will Survive’, which delves into the world of ‘Preppers.’ Guided by designer Reed Kram, students from the MA Product Design program, worked in pairs to create solutions for a hypothetical scenario in which phones no longer work, the internet is down, and grid electricity is unavailable. Faced with this breakdown of modern infrastructure, their mission was to reimagine how we might fulfill one of humanity's most essential needs—communication.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin
On the occasion of Paris Design Week 2024, DECATHLON is partnering with ECAL's Product Design Master's programme to unveil "Sortir du Cadre", an installation showcasing two prototypes of electric-assisted trekking bikes based on research into eco-design. Through this collaboration, DECATHLON engages the younger generation of designers around eco-design themes. These concept bikes, envisioned by students from Product Design Master’s programme, express a vision of the future in which sustainable development and the pleasure of outdoor activities go hand in hand.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Yichen Wu
Haitang Stool is the result of a culture-based form study, a blend of tradition and democratic ubiquity. The popularity of the New Chinese Style demonstrates a growing recognition of traditional culture in the Chinese market. Building on extensive research into Ming-style furniture, this project aims to extract and bring its beauty to everyday objects, challenging the common perception that it only serves a select few. By redesigning the iconic red plastic stool, the local Monobloc alternative, Haitang Stool explores the communicative power of cultural forms while keeping its low cost and universal functionality.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Loïs Weber
A report from the Swiss Office for the Environmental forecasts annual summer heatwaves, increasing the number of «tropical» days (>30°C) throughout the year. In response to this phenomenon, some Swiss cities are seeking solutions to combat these urban heat islands. The Ilo project proposes a solution to address heatwaves in Lausanne. In collaboration with a local brick manufacturer, the cooling potential of bricks, which absorb and slowly evaporate water, has been harnessed in a modular seating installation, providing shade and refreshment. Adaptable to various locations, this installation can be deployed during the four months of summer heatwaves, thus improving urban comfort and fostering social interactions.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Antonio Severi
VAC focuses on assembling objects without conventional fasteners, using vacuum as a binder. This technique, known as «jamming,» originates from soft robotics but also occurs when vacuum-sealing goods like coffee. It increases friction between parts like glue but allows the process to be reversible. Various bags were filled with different materials, creating unique seating options that address technical challenges and explore material combinations. The project produced five chair prototypes using different methods, showcasing binding techniques that allow for easy separation and recycling, highlighting a commitment to sustainability and innovation.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Aurelia Pleyer
The way we work is changing. Today, we no longer stay at a fixed desk in a single place but need flexibility and movement. As we perform a variety of tasks during the day, we wish for an equally diverse range of spaces to create, concentrate, communicate, and think within. With Kind Regards proposes an open way of working on two surfaces. Sitting or standing, the furniture explores different possibilities of work situations. The simple and direct, yet versatile structure uses wood to create a warm, welcoming surrounding. Encouraging to work in new ways, With kind regards is a flexible place for both short and longer E-Mails.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Lilian Onstenk
Many discarded jackets have malfunctioning zippers. Before repurposing, textiles and hardware need to be separated within the recycling facilities—a labor-intensive procedure. The uien collection proposes a system in which the fabric and the zipper are easily exchangeable and separable. The cotton inner lining is connected to the water-resistant cotton outer fabric. Similar to a pillowcase, the felted wool insulation is encapsulated between the cotton layers without using additional fastening systems. The slightly modified zipper ties into the fabric and can easily be removed and replaced. uien aims for easier recycling but above all encourages consumers to replace broken items without special equipment or prior knowledge.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Fanny Marrot
Encore Bon is a system designed to change the way we think about food waste by reusing existing unsold but consumable resources produced by supermarkets. These spoiled, less attractive products are often neglected, even though they have tasty and nutritious qualities. The Encore Bon system communicates and educates people about food waste whilst creating new products. Raw ingredients are collected and then combined according to their aromatic match using a dedicated application, creating new and unusual flavours. They are then dried to extend their shelf life. The result is attractive, tasty dry products that encourage consumers to take a different look at unsold food.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Jiahao Huang
Polyurethane foam has been taken granted as the go-to material in creating comfort and softness for upholstery and caused immense pressure to environment. This motivates me to use spacer fabric, which features a sandwich structure with 3 layers, knitted altogether one time by 3d knitting machine, as the alternative to PU foam. I developed a sofa with this particular material in the core. It is cushioned, padded and covered all by spacer fabric. Without glue nor staples, all components are designed to be easily assembled and separated. The concept spins around the inherent tension and flexiblity of the material that enables it to naturally form voluminous yet smooth shapes. The idea is to build the cushioning core and contacting layer in one piece of fabric wilhout stiching and triming.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Meri Hozumi
Meno Mosso transforms consumers into creators through the traditional technique of «papier-mâché» – akin to “hariko» used for Japanese toys. In contrast to mass production and fast consumption through online shopping, crafting a Meno Mosso product is a meticulous and intimate process of layering and drying paper repeatedly. Formed with sustainable materials – scrap paper and starch glue – Meno Mosso’s slow crafting also fosters deep connections between creators and their products. Experiences are shared alongside loved ones and each Meno Mosso product bears your signature: symbolising the personal connection embedded in the unique piece made from your choice of used paper. Who would discard such products, nurtured with care, time and memories?
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Justus Hilfenhaus
ECAL x ECAL is a collaboration between myself and the institution. This project showcases a collection of objects designed and crafted at ECAL to address small yet significant problems I encountered during my time here. Each object, from classroom essentials to communal space enhancements, is created for optimal usability. With a galvanized steel finish, these items ensure durability and recognition, reflecting our contemporary architectural aesthetic. Crafted by ECAL artisans and myself, they represent our dedication to design, enhancing everyday life as they seamlessly integrate into our school environment.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Louis Ferraz
Table and bench system for common spaces. The tension of the project resides in the contrast of visual heaviness with the actual lightness of this family of objects. Big-scale products to occupy large spaces in an efficient way. The lightness and flat pack of the big table and bench allow an agile installation, yet they are durable and sturdy objects. This was made possible by using very thin plywood filled with a cardboard honeycomb structure.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Gabriella Duck Garnham
Switzerland’s mobility infrastructure comprises of dynamic transport modes, from ‘hard’ steel tracks of train lines to ‘soft’ elements of buses and bikes. Soft elements are often the most accessible, making them essential in the mobility network to encourage people to use public transport. Traditionally, soft mobility infrastructure has been monumental, featuring concrete foundations and structures resistant to adaptation. Hence, they are difficult to adapt to the evolving needs of cities as they shift and grow, resulting in additional resources and even demolition. B+ is an ephemeral bus shelter for Transport Lausanne, designed to be secured on-site using local stone and timber, allowing for agile infrastructure that can shift and integrate with neighbourhoods as they develop.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Sofia Biondi
Campana is the culmination of a collaboration with the Swiss company Ateliers Firmann, known for crafting cowbells and railings, leveraging their well-honed skills and tools. The outcome is a pair of lamps, each a different size, sculpted from curved and welded steel profiles. At the heart of each lamp, the bell itself shines as the light source. The aim was to transform the iconic bell from its traditional setting, giving it a new purpose. Just as the bell's sound guides and signals the presence of the animal, its light now graces domestic spaces with a gentle presence. The lamps are distilled to their essence: the radiant bell, the supporting structure, and a cable that connects these two distinct elements, all made under the same roof.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Youssef Bassil
The average adult spends 24 hours a week on their smartphone, leading to health issues like eye strain, disrupted sleep, depression, anxiety, and reduced concentration. Many, especially Gen-Z, recognise smartphones are designed to capture attention and are switching to "dumbphones" – traditional mobile phones predating the iPhone. However, using a dumbphone daily ends up being impractical and frustrating. Modern society and services are tailored to smartphones for payments, transport, and more, alienating non-users. OoO_Out of Office offers a solution: an alternate device for basic communication, navigation, contactless payment, and tickets without distractions. Allowing users to stay connected and reach their destination without the overwhelming presence of a smartphone.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Altamirano Castro Eduardo
Today’s audio industry has turned loudspeakers into small, wireless, battery-powered plastic objects. To challenge this, I created the Sonido Material project, which explores the relationship between music and human experience, emphasizing our interaction with sound. The outcome is a minimal satellite flat speaker with three components. It uses magnetic energy to activate a paper membrane with a layered copper coil, amplifying the sound. Each prototype showcases the material’s rawness, creating a poetic dialogue with its sonic environment. The design is fully modular and dismountable, facilitating repair, recycling, or a variety of configurations/installations.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Clémentine Merhebi
In 2023, a person residing in Switzerland consumes 140 liters of drinking water per day. Half of which is used for showering. 75 is a showerhead that saves up to ¾ of our consumption. Developed by SICT, its mechanism visually imitates but reduces the flow of a classic showerhead from 20 to 4 liters of water per minute. Deprived of its handle, it also represents a material saving by fitting in the palm of your hand. Assembled with a single screw, all its components can be separated, including its magnets, which offer different inclinations when in contact with its support. Like a canvas, this adhesive sheet deconstructs the architecture of the shower through a simplification of its systems and accessories, allowing us to better understand our consumption.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Chris Kabel
Like Robinson Crusoe scavenged the wrecked ship for materials to build his home, First Year Master Product Design students, guided by Chris Kabel, were invited to delve into the flotsam of their creative minds for this open workshop. The workshop began with collecting, organizing, and analyzing creative flotsam and jetsam to create a self-portrait as a designer. Unrealized projects, obsessions and fascinations, irritations, vague dreams, (bad) jokes, and ideas too weird to talk about—all these resided within a designer's mind. Beginnings already existed: inspiring photos on phones, inviting materials, first ideas hastily scribbled down, quick sketches on paper, half-baked assemblages, or flimsy maquettes. These fragments and particles were analyzed to discover the kind of designer each participant was, extracting a direction for development during the week. This process of analysis, ideation, and translation, including the ‘end result,’ became visible as an island, shaped and populated by each individual's design process. It featured fragile beginnings, iterations, and the choices made along the way, culminating in a final conclusion shaped by material samples, shape research, 3D sketches, the development of a mechanism, a campaign, a film scenario, or whatever else was distilled from the initial flotsam.
PRODUCT DESIGN
by Youssef Bassil, Meri Hozumi, Altamirano Castro Eduardo, Sofia Biondi, Gabriella Duck Garnham, Louis Ferraz, Justus Hilfenhaus, Clémentine Merhebi, Fanny Marrot, Lilian Onstenk, Aurelia Pleyer, Antonio Severi, Loïs Weber, Yichen Wu, Tom Jacquérioz
Who will we be? What will we need? How will we live? What will design offer? “Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%.” — World Health Organization Led by Tutor Sam Hecht and completed by first-year students of ECAL Master Product Design with input from the senior-lab, this project presents a range of objects designed for Horgenglarus that cater to the growing population of elderly users. The aim of these objects is to challenge the stereotypes associated with this frequently medicalised category, while leveraging Horgenglarus’s extensive expertise in wood-based craftsmanship.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
MedGum: Effective Alternative to Traditional Drug Delivery Systems Chewing gums are recognised by scientists and medical researchers as a highly effective alternative to conventional drug administration methods like pills, tablets and capsules. MedGum is a research-driven project that integrates food production, medical research and design, to develop a range of functional gums with additional health benefits. By designing the gum and its structure, it becomes possible to enhance the effectiveness of the medication, improving the speed and dynamics of absorption of active ingredients. Tailored to specific diseases such as stomach disorders, allergies, migraines and oral injuries, each MedGum, together with a new packaging, offers patients a discreet and convenient way of taking their medication.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Marble, a popular resource worldwide, holds special significance in Carrara, Tuscany, where around 4 million tons are annually extracted. Extraction leads to the production of significant amounts of marble slurry, a dense mixture of dust and water. Proper management of this waste is crucial to prevent environmental pollution. With a focus on sustainable resource utilisation, my project seeks to upcycle this waste into a valuable resource. In collaboration with local companies, I spent most of the semester conducting on-site work in Carrara. The research conducted aims to highlight the potential of marble slurry as a valuable resource rather than waste material. The outcome presented features a collection of material samples and a bench designed and crafted entirely from marble slurry.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Children’s feet grow quickly. Considering the need for shoes for different weather conditions, seasons and activities, the number of pairs per child is relatively high – and so is the cost for parents and even more for the planet. Shoes need to fulfil an array of consumer requirements in terms of style and function. They are composed of many parts and up to 40 different materials, including all types of plastics and glues. Hence, they are complicated to disassemble and recycle. In this context, Re- club features an everyday unisex shoe for children aged 1 to 6 that is built to be easily disassembled, allowing for recycling and refurbishing to extend the product’s lifespan.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Campà features a series of decorated ceramics developed with I.C.A Giordano, a terracotta factory located in my hometown in the Amalfi Coast area. Originally, the production of ceramics was dedicated to locals who wanted to purchase objects that transformed everyday images into art. These objects depicted animals, fishermen, rural life and landscapes. Over time, as tourism developed, these objects became souvenirs, and decorators focused on reproducing the same patterns for decades with minimal variations. These once representative illustrations now serve as distant reminders, lacking emotional connection with younger generations. Campà aims to restore this bond by introducing self-ironic drawings, illustrating how modern lifestyle has found its unique form in this area.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
In 2021 the EU commission passed new regulations that have forced the lighting industry to change: lighting needs to be manufactured and disposed of in more sustainable ways. In recent years, LED technology has dominated the industry as it is efficient, affordable and long lasting. However, the problem is that there is currently no feasible way to recycle LED lights. Disassembly of the components – LEDs, LED drivers/PCB boards, cables, sensors and casings with varying materials – is a key design challenge and would allow easier recycling. DISASSEMBLY DIALOGUE features sketches as well as physical models called DUMMIES, which showcase approaches to disassembling LED components. The DUMMIES are not luminaires or lamps, but rather playful and provocative ideas that intend to generate a discussion.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Living in a Wall: A Feasible Fantasy merges contemporary construction standards with design, shifting our perception of products. The project explores built-in furniture, transforming it from an isolated practice into a replicable solution. It focuses on timber frame construction and prevalent prefabrication. By integrating furniture into the development and construction process of a house, this project demonstrates how furniture becomes an integral part of a cohesive, long-term system. The project is showcased in a book that serves as a scale model and a guide, leading readers through the evolution of built-in furniture, prefabrication and design iterations for living in a wall. The 1:10 scale, engineer-approved drawings and augmented reality features ground the concept.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Project Beam is a home entertainment hub consisting of a projector and two speakers. Seeking to integrate the projector further into the living environment, Project Beam references the architecture of floor lamps. The stand in this case not only enables the user to reach the desired projection height but also to charge various devices thanks to a low-voltage circuit.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Coalesce is a speculative design research project which explores the use of artificial intelligence to create a gender-fluid design language. By using AI image blending and text-to-image AI models, it is possible to create intersections between unnecessarily gendered products and question the biases and stereotypes that are linked to gender identities within the product design industry. The project consists of an interactive installation that showcases the results of blending razors for women and men through a trained AI model and physical prototypes made through 3D sculpting and modelling as reinterpretations of the AI-designed products.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
During my cabinetmaking studies in 2016, I discovered slabwood, which is the name given to the edge pieces milled from a saw log. Slabwood is flat on one side and convex on the other. Because of its asymmetrical and irregular shape, it is discarded by woodworkers. The abundant offcuts from sawmills are sold at a low price (CHF 1 per linear metre of wood). Seven years after my cabinetmaking studies, I started to think about this unexploited material. Going against the tradition of working with pristine wood, my research resulted in a collection of benches. The planks are mitre-cut to create different volumes. Geometric extrusions of inverted trees are transformed into seats. In this way, slabwood is integrated into our interiors in its rawest form.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Skin is a case for discarded smartphones. In combination with an app, it transforms the device into a child-friendly communication product. A redesigned interface allows children to explore the main functions of a phone in a more playful way while old hardware is used meaningfully. Concentration disorders, loss of creativity and imagination, and impaired development of the ocular apparatus are only a few of the consequential damages of premature smartphone usage. Skin challenges the traditional perception of tech for children and offers new conceptual and experimental solutions. Children get the opportunity to grow up with a healthier relationship to technology while being independent and connected. The aim is to create experiences with interactions that feel magical and that bring joy.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
ACCA is a floor lamp designed for the outdoors, especially suitable for commercial use, e.g. in restaurants and cafes. In line with the advancements in rechargeable battery technology, the lamp includes an integrated battery that can be easily detached and recharged, eliminating the need to move the lamp during the process. Made entirely from aluminium components, ACCA features a sturdy design that can withstand all weather conditions. Its stability is further reinforced by an integrated space at the bottom, allowing for additional weight such as stones or gravel to be added for optimum stability.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Despite being hailed as the next industrial revolution for a long time, 3D printing has yet to make the final step into mass manufacturing. This can be attributed primarily to its limitations in precision and efficiency. However, a printing setting known as Vase Mode shows promise as a potential solution to overcome these limitations. By enabling printing in a continuous spiralised line, it offers significantly cleaner and faster results, although it also presents its own set of challenges. This project investigates the potential of the Vase Mode by exploring its unique features and pushing the boundaries of what it can achieve. The outcome of this exploration is Layer, a lighting system entirely printed in ABS, that leverages the unique capabilities of the technology to its advantage.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
A proposal for a streetlight-mounted socket for charging electric vehicles for the city of Lausanne, in anticipation of the 2030 ban on non-electric vehicles. The focus has been to create a compact design with an appropriate level of visibility that references the familiar and established typology of cast street signage.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Unleash the power of music and technology with the Circuit Riff. This remarkable MIDI instrument combines a minimal design with the endless possibilities of MIDI technology. With carefully designed printed circuit boards, sensors and transducers, every detail of your performance is captured and translated into a digital language, empowering you to compose, improvise and experiment like never before. Seamlessly switch between playing the guitar and atmospheric soundscapes, manipulate effects with ease and explore a vast sonic palette. This PCB MIDI Guitar redefines musical expression, inspiring awe and admiration from musicians and enthusiasts alike. Embark on a musical journey where tradition meets cutting-edge technology and experience the evolution of music in your hands.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Olfactory stimulation for people with dementia Using the power of smell – one of the senses most strongly associated with emotion and memory – Smell&Tell creates meaningful interactions and provides stimuli for communication and playful engagement. People with dementia can maintain their quality of life and promote well-being by participating in activities and social interactions that stimulate the brain and help maintain daily functions. The outcome of this research project is an olfactory game consisting of a series of ten selected odours and different ways to trigger (verbal/nonverbal) conversations. The design of the interaction between the caregiver and the affected person is not only intended to be enjoyable, but also to strengthen their relationship and provide a sense of meaning and identity.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville
Framecraft focuses on redesigning the production process of custom-made bikepacking frame bags. As a foundation for my research I have drawn upon my prior experience in a small business where I handcrafted bikepacking bags. These bags are directly strapped to the frame instead of using a traditional pannier rack but, due to the unique nature of each frame, bikepacking bag producers cannot achieve a proper fit. To solve this, I suggest automating the manufacturing process and establishing a Micro-Factory that bridges the gap between custom craftsmanship and industrial efficiency. Every aspect of production, from pattern design to fabric cutting and graphic tracing, is fully automated. This approach addresses challenges in achieving a proper bag-to-bike fit, while promoting local production in Europe, and tackles concerns related to labour-intensive sewing.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin
ECAL for Schätti is a inspiring collection created by ECAL’s Master students in Product Design, under the guidance of Camille Blin, head of the programme, Jörg Boner, designer and Thomas Schätti, co-owner of the company Schätti. In the lighting industry, Schätti is synonymous with high quality manufacture and proven know-how. The brand is driven by a modernist vision and a fresh perspective: “The lighting industry is in upheaval; LED technology is the center of attention. A significant research and development effort is devoted to this technology. Light is being redefined.” A premise that ECAL students followed to create portable, battery powered LED lamps. The result is a multifunctional collection featuring the potential of this technology. Collapsible or foldable, wall or desk lamp, portable and rechargeable, indoor or outdoor: the selection translates Schätti expertise and ECAL students' creative minds.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Anniina Koivu, Anthony Guex, Marvin Merkel, Arthur Seguin
In 2023, the significant role of renewable energies in tackling the environmental crisis is blatant. In this context, wind power has once again been presented as a promising avenue for regions seeking to transition to renewable energy. However, concerns about their visual intrusion on surrounding environments pose a significant obstacle to their deployment. From a design perspective, this aesthetical factor is not insurmountable. On the contrary, it highlights the need for greater consideration of how we shape these technologies and integrate them into the environment and our lives. This project, completed by 16 MA Product Design Students of ECAL, has set out to explore how wind turbines can fit into natural landscapes and cultures not only sensitively, but beautifully – if we focus on their design. To complete the project effectively, a case study location was required. Fogo Island (Newfoundland, Canada), described locally as "this rock in the battering Northern Sea," was chosen due to its natural beauty, abundant wind, and tight-knit community of approximately 2,500 inhabitants. The island's climate and geography make it ideal for wind turbines. Additionally, Fogo Island is home to Shorefast, a non-profit organization dedicated to building a sustainable, renewable economy for the island. In October 2022, the students and tutors of ECAL visited and immersed themselves in Fogo Island. The project resulted in eight speculative yet practical wind turbine designs, considerately informed by various perspectives. U.F.O.G.O. is a sustainability project grounded in reality, but not limited by what already is. Collaboration Partners: Shorefast HEIG-VD/School of Management and Engineering Vaud (Marc Pellerin, Philippe Morey and Marco Viviani) Media Partner: Disegno Funding: Summer University Programme of the Board of Higher Education (DGES) State of Vaud HES-SO Recherche Transdisciplinaire en Durabilite (under the project title 'INTEGRATED WIND TURBINES’)
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Christophe Guberan, Camille Blin
The New Final Form is the result of a cross-disciplinary workshop run by the 1st year students in the Product Design Master's programme. Working with Ceramaret, a company based in Bôle that specialises in new ceramic manufacturing processes, the students imagined today's electrical sockets and switches. Our daily habits and our relationship with these devices have changed considerably over the last few decades, particularly with the battery-powered appliances that surround us. Thanks to the development of new technologies and new manufacturing processes, and to the properties of ceramics: good resistance to heat and pressure, and very good electrical insulation, the students came up with a series of original proposals rethinking the Feller electrical socket of today, an icon of Swiss design established by Max Bill in 1946.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Camille Blin, Maxwell Ashford, Anthony Guex, Anniina Koivu
Fogo, nicknamed ‘a rock in the ocean’ is a small island situated off Newfoundland, Canada. As a part of a larger on-going semester project, 2nd Year Master Product Design students of ECAL, completed a short, fun, few day workshop, utilising one of the most abundant resources on the island - wind. Working in collaboration with the ShoreFast Foundation - an organisation working in numerous avenues to create a sustainable economy on the island, students developed plastic free kites. Fogo Island has the intention of becoming completely plastic free in the coming years and as their tourist numbers increase memorabilia of this special place are in higher demand. The developed kites are therefore to be made on the island and intended for the Fogo Island Workshop gift shop. Using Birch Wood, Ripstop Organic Cotton and hemp fibre string the students created a range of designs, taking reference from the unique features of the island.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Christophe Guberan
Master Product Design students from ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne have created, in collaboration with Swiss brand On Running, shoe soles of the future. Under the guidance of Christophe Guberan, guest designer of MA Product Design and support of Thilo Alex Brunner, head of design at On, students explored within the context of the year 2040, concept shoe soles. The outcomes range from exploring the use of new materials and processes, to reinterpreting and re-contextualising common place aspects of todays world, all with a focus on future performance. A select number of the designs were developed into elaborate prototypes and exhibited at On’s new headquarters in Zurich in collaboration with works from other ECAL MA’s photography and Type Design.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Christophe Guberan, Camille Blin
Following a collaboration with the Swiss avant-garde brand On, ECAL is proud to present the interdisciplinary work carried out jointly by the 2nd year students of the Product Design, Photography and Type Design Masters.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin
A Soup a Day is a mobile soup kitchen concept developed in close contact with Canisibus, Vienna. Canisibus is a social project that serves up to 400 soups a day to the hungry on the street. The design concept is based on the idea of cheap reproduction and easy cleanability. It is built on a standard trailer from Hinterher, is adapted to Euronorm boxes and a Rieber thermal container. A tarp covers and protects the goods and can be easily removed for cleaning and replacement.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin
We all know instant noodles that provide a whole menu within a few minutes. And we all know that cannot be healthy! In addition, the pasta is usually made from imported durum wheat. This is precisely what I focused on, looking at which grain grows best in my area and whether you can make pasta from it. The result: instant whole wheat pasta made from emmer, which achieves depth of flavour through two fermentation techniques. The delicate dried vegetables and spices are not packed in a plastic bag as usual but are enclosed in the pasta. In this way, we can completely dispense with plastic in the packaging. It is plastic-free, healthy, local and vegan!
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin
Futuristic Objects is a collection of props representing daily scenes caused by contemporary environmental issues. Existing objects are adapted to projected changes caused by environmental deterioration to make potential future realities more tangible. The resulting changes in behaviour are represented in imagery and video. The current discourse on climate change and environmental issues seems to be repetitive and stuck in a dilemma between scientific facts that call for change and immutable, established systems. The project provides an alternative communication tool to long scientific papers or legislation, intending to re-establish our emotional connection with these pressing issues.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin
TEXTure is a fingerprint for physical objects that integrate information through a texture on their surface. It converts encoded texts to assigned machine-readable textures, which were once relatively arbitrary. Inspired by the Turing pattern, a reaction-diffusion system portrays how nature brings uniqueness to each creation, TEXTure can develop automatically and individuate each product through fabricating processes like 3D printing. An embedded fingerprint enables industrial products to move toward full life cycle traceability. It has a high potential for phone-scannable accessibility, anti-counterfeiting, extended producer responsibility, recycling, vintage markets, etc.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin
Changing posture while working at a desk not only benefits your physical and mental health but also increases productivity and concentration. Unlike the desk-centric environments of the past, the office of the future will be a gathering space that facilitates interaction and collaboration. Nimble is an active task chair with an inviting shape and adaptive mechanism that encourages changes in posture and dynamic sitting. Its pared-down aesthetics and carefully selected materials break with the traditional office chair. This simple yet versatile chair is a handy companion that serves numerous contemporary work scenarios such as co-working spaces and home offices.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin
There are more than 1000 sheep breeds in the world, producing fibres of different colours, lengths, and textures, but only the finest wool is suitable for the textile industry. Since European wool does not reach these high standards, large amounts of raw wool have turned from a source of income into a waste product. With increasing interest in sustainable use of natural resources, wool should be re-considered as an underrated and underused renewable resource, worthy of better exploration. This project investigates the potential of European wool by exploring a new production process, i.e., automatic felting. The resulting jacket illustrates the potential of this technology and takes advantage of the natural properties of wool, turning it from waste into a valuable raw material.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin
Investment in fine art painting is a huge, opaque market and art authentication is crucial. Multispectral imaging reveals erased signatures and underdrawings, helping identify artworks and providing information about their history and manufacturing process. There is a demand from art experts for a user-friendly multispectral camera that might provide instant readable results and help make comparative study more efficient and robust. My mission was to develop the hand-held multispectral camera in collaboration with the start-up MATIS and CSEM (Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology). The unibody module takes into account the ease of installation and usability for art experts when photographing paintings. The structure was developed based on cost-effective, 3D printing production in small batches.
PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often caused by repetitive motion of the wrist tendons. The disorder mainly affects people in the manufacturing industry and those who spend long hours in front of a screen. Approximately 3-6% of the adult population suffers from it. Dipolo is a device that helps relieve and treat the pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. It consists of an electrostimulation unit strapped to the arm and a stress ball made of a conductive material. By creating an electric field between the two units, it is possible to stimulate the nerve in the wrist, which is beneficial to the user. The person can actively contribute to the therapy by exercising with the custom designed ball.