Working with materials, designing or redefining an object’s function, creating new products, challenging production technologies, conceiving a scenography – this programme is for passionate, curious students wishing to make product design their profession. This vocational Bachelor course provides a high level of skills and know-how required by industrial designers.
Supervised by renowned practitioners and evolving in studios equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the students work on conceiving the form and function of objects as well as on production modes, while learning about the fundamentals of sustainability. Simultaneously they become seasoned in technical drawing, CAD software, computer-assisted manufacturing and materials science. During their curriculum they are involved in collaborative projects with first-rate companies, leading to various productions, exhibitions and publications in the international press. Workshops are also organised with major actors in this field. The students also benefit from a wide range of theoretical courses and multidisciplinary conferences on the ECAL premises.
Through the graphic design and photography courses, students are able to produce a portfolio to the highest professional standards, and therefore to find work in international agencies or leading companies or to establish their own business. They may also further their knowledge in their chosen field by continuing with a Master Product Design or a MAS in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship at ECAL, as well as an equivalent programme in another institution of higher education.
French
Bachelor of Arts HES-SO in Product and Industrial Design
6 semesters
180 ECTS
Open space BA Industrial Design Materials Library Prototype Workshop CAO/FAO
1/5
1/6
1/3
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Julie Richoz
"Nuancier (n.m.): A presentation tool displaying the colors and shades of a product." — Larousse definition For this project, the students created and developed their own shades, surfaces, assemblies or materials, which they then shaded in several samples and assembled to create their own nuancier.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Elric Petit
Figure libre is an industrial design project that empowers students to explore topics of their choice. This semester, guided by Elric Petit, students developed their personal projects inspired by articles from specialized newspapers or magazines. The objective is to create projects with the potential to seamlessly integrate in our contemporary society and its economy, leveraging their personal affinities and interests to enhance their work.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Friederike Daumiller
Even if it seems that digital is taking over analog, there's still an interest and need for us as humans to have a physical connection to our daily tools. So many designers swear by their drawing routine and real-life experimentation still plays a important role in our practices. Under the guidance of Friederike Daumiller students took the challenge to design their own interpretations of hand writing and hand drawing instruments always referring to their hands-on tests and experience.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Christophe Guberan
Second-year industrial design students collaborated with Zurich-based brand FREITAG Lab, leveraging their expertise in environmental awareness, material upcycling, and the circular economy. Using the FREITAG manifesto as a foundation, they developed new shared products centered on the principle of "access over ownership."
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Tomas Kral
Small, medium and large. For this project, students were asked to develop a coherent family of three vessels, or simply three independent containers, each with a different volume for holding, transporting and pouring liquids. Each object had to fit into a specific context, defined by the students at the beginning of the project.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard
For this project, the 1st year BA Industrial Design students had to design a bag, or a collection of bags.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Christophe Guberan
Under the direction of Christophe Guberan, the students used their design talents to rethink an everyday object that consumes more energy than it should, using their powers of observation to choose a type of contemporary object that consumes energy and reduce its dependence on energy during use.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Friederike Daumiller
In collaboration with ASA-Handicap mental and the Senior-lab, the Bachelor students, led by designer Friederike Daumiller, present a collection of closing and fastening systems for clothing, bags and wearable accessories that make them easier to use, helping to make them more universal and inclusive.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Elric Petit
Within the project "Figure libre," students are provided with the opportunity to express themselves on a subject of their choosing. The project encourages the incorporation of personal research, or thesis and to select a field aligning with their desired career paths post-studies, be it in furniture, mobility, connected objects, or any other area.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Stephane Halmai-Voisard, Julie Richoz
Teaming up with iconic Finnish furniture company Artek, Bachelor Industrial Design students, under the guidance of designer Julie Richoz, present a collection of playful objects for children made from salvaged b-quality, rejected and half- finished materials and offcuts. Staying true to the spirit of Artek and its founders, the products promote conscious manufacturing and seek to highlight the natural materials that have gone into producing these designs.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Elric Petit
The aim of this project was to approach industrial casting techniques through a playful, experimental laboratory. The students produced objects in plaster, which did not necessarily have to have a function. However, they must be technically interesting, i.e. their molds must be simple to produce, and the molded parts must feature singular characteristics inherent in the molding process. The molds (free materials), together with the plaster castings, were shown for evaluation in the form of a group exhibition.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Adrien Rovero
The 1st year BA Industrial Design was invited by the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich to design wooden toys that were exhibited as part of the retrospective exhibition 'Willy Guhl: thinking with your hands'.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Stephane Halmai-Voisard
For this project, the students had to design a seat, or rather requalify and rehabilitate a chair or armchair using existing models such as the monobloc, aluminium bistro chair, or deck chair, as the base structure. Employing Kvadrat upholstery textiles, the designs had to be reversible, meaning it should not alter the existing structure. While the original function of the chair could be maintained or altered, the proposals aimed to improved the comfort and aesthetic character of the seats.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Christophe Guberan
Second-year industrial design students collaborated with Zurich-based brand FREITAG Lab, leveraging their expertise in environmental awareness, material upcycling, and the circular economy. Using the FREITAG manifesto as a foundation, they developed new shared products centered on the principle of "access over ownership."
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Adrien Rovero
For the member municipalities of GEDERIVIERA, the waste management perimeter of the Vaudois Riviera, students in the BA Industrial Design are envisioning a new public trash can.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Christian Spiess, Fondation USM, Théâtre de Vidy
The USM Design Grant is a study grant launched by the Fondation USM to encourage innovation by rewarding a student’s project. For the 6th edition of the USM Design Grant awarded by the USM Foundation, ECAL Bachelor Industrial Design students, under the guidance of Swiss designer Christian Spiess, were asked to design new outdoor seating for the terrace of the Théâtre de Vidy in Lausanne.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Christian Spiess
In collaboration with renowned Swiss bicycle brand BMC, second year Bachelor Industrial Design students, under the guidance of Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Head of the programme, and Christian Spiess, Swiss designer and bicycle aficionado, present a collection of handy and colourful accessories for the modern daily bike commute.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Adrien Rovero
Third-year BA students have been invited by architects Spacon & X, in collaboration with IKEA, to design a shelter for an event in Helsingborg, Sweden. The shelter is part of the Tillsammans ("All Together") camp. The goal was to design a micro-architecture that addresses current concerns, fosters social interaction, and provides a unique living experience.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Michel Charlot
A collection of clever furniture and household accessories to help organise everyday life. Following the method of carefully observing our daily routines to identify unique needs and then creating intuitive and practical products, the Bachelor of Industrial Design students imagined a collection of clever furniture and household accessories to help organise our daily lives, under the guidance of designer Michel Charlot. As an important part of the development of MUJI products is based on detailed photographic studies in people's homes, the students were invited to follow the same process by documenting the spontaneous state of their own homes and other people's environments in order to reveal how they interact with the products, and to identify how the objects are used as direct inspiration for their design.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Elric Petit, Stephane Halmai-Voisard
The 2CV Méhari Club Cassis has developed an electric version of the iconic Citroën released in 1968 : the EDEN. From its inception, this car was designed for summer sports and leisure activity. Our current renewed interest in outdoor activities together with electric technology makes this car particularly attractive. With this in mind, the 2nd-year BA students in Industrial Design, under the direction of Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Head of Programme, and designer Elric Petit, showcase a series of accessories for tomorrow’s electric Méhari.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Elric Petit
A series of accessories that will make up the electric Mehari of tomorrow. The 2CV Mehari Club Cassis has developed an electric version of the iconic Citroën car released in 1968: the EDEN. From the outset, this car was intended for summer sports and leisure activities. Today, our renewed interest in outdoor activities combined with electric technology makes this vehicle all the more attractive. With this in mind, the 2nd year Bachelor of Industrial Design students, under the direction of designer Elric Petit, are proposing a series of accessories that will make up the electric Mehari of tomorrow. This project was realized in partnership with the 2CV Mehari Club Cassis, at the initiative of Massilia.design and Nathalie Dewez, with the precious support of Bananatex® and the Hyères Design Parade Festival.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Christian Spiess
Fans with USB power supply for mobile use, for the Swiss brand Stadler Form. Stadler Form is a Swiss company that produces fans, humidifiers, purifiers and other air treatment devices. For this project, the students in 2nd year Bachelor Industrial Design, directed by designer Christian Spiess, had to make a “personal” fan, equipped with a USB power supply for mobile use. They had to think of new scenarios and contexts where a small fan would be useful. They were free to explore different usage scenarios, materials, etc. other than those currently in the Stadler Form catalog. The projects had to meet Stadler Form’s high standards of industrial design, but also challenge and question their existing products. Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Agnes Murmann Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Alex Nguyen Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Stéphane Mischler Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Lucie Herter Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Alexandre Desarzens Vidéo ECAL x Stadler Form - Constance Thiessoz
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Michel Charlot
Platform10 is the transformation of a railway and industrial site to a new district entirely dedicated to to culture. The space, some 22,000 square meters, hosts three recognized cultural institutions: the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of the Elysée and the Museum of design and contemporary applied arts, to a few steps from the station, in the centre of Lausanne . In order to complete this major transformation, Platform 10 launched a competition (by invitation) , in which the 2nd year students took part to design coherent propositions of outdoor (urban) furniture for this new public space.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Chris Kabel
Luxury Swiss bed manufacturer Elite invited 2nd year Bachelor Industrial Design students to thoroughly reconsider the mattress and its direct surroundings (bed frame, bedside table, linin, pillow, slipper, pyjamas…) in order to offer new and innovative solutions. Photographs by ECAL/Calypso Mahieu assisted by ECAL/Mathieu Lang
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Erwan Bouroullec
Led by the acclaimed French designer Erwan Bouroullec, the workshop 'Presque Rien' unfolded as an exploration of design possibilities within the setting of his estate and recently renovated Burgundy farm. The project envisioned an open canvas, encouraging ECAL’s Bachelor Industrial Design students, to diverge from traditional problem-solving.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Francesca Sarti
Within the Wonderbread workshop led by Francesca Sarti, food designer and founder of Arabeschi di Latte, BA Industrial Design students explored history, traditions, rituals, and recipes related to bread, in order to imagine new unique signature bread.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Chris Kabel
Within a one-week workshop with Designer Chris Kabel, BA Industrial Design students were asked to develop a glass for a drink of their choice, whether it was for a cocktail, a fresh beer, a classy Negroni, or simply a glass for water to quench their thirst. The final designs reflect the characteristics of the drink or emphasize how the drink is prepared, served, and drunk. All glasses were blown in the ECAL courtyard with the support of the artisans of Swiss glass manufacturer Niesenglass.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Nadine Sterk
When we live in a society with so much abundance yet at the same time so much scarcity, how do we discern the resources around us? How can we look to our surroundings to learn about where things come from, or how we might apply them in our own lives? More importantly, how can we live more harmoniously with nature by respecting it and taking only what we need? Within the workshop held by Nadine Sterk from Atelier NL the BA Industrial Design students were asked to create tableware around the theme ‘Abundance & Scarcity' from vernacular earth collected together in the Sauvabelin woods in Lausanne. Students and crew had no hesitation in getting their hands (and clothes) dirty to knead, turn, form, glaze, and fire ceramic tableware that tells a story.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Philippe Malouin
"Form follows function" is an expression attributed to the modernist architect Louis Sullivan. It is a statement that is quite relevant to industrial design. On the other hand, form can sometimes also determine function in a process of reverse exploration. During the workshop with Philippe Malouin, students were encouraged to look for new functions inspired by forms found in a metal recycling center. In this process, random discoveries and associations were made to generate a new and surprising vocabulary of forms.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Manuel Krebs (NORM)
Measuring, it seems, is one of the dominant concerns of modern society. We measure ourselves, our weight, our height, our temperature, from head to toe, from collar size to shoe size. We measure what is around us, from tiny to incredibly large. We measure time (from seconds to lifetimes), we measure the familiar (length, weight, volume) and the unusual (sound, radiation, voltage), we have measurement systems for everyday life and for experts. For this workshop, the students of the Bachelor Industrial Design have developed alternative measuring devices.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Emile Barret, Marie Douel
Marie Douel and Emile Barret from Hors Pistes led a workshop with the 2nd year bachelor in industrial design. They asked the students to create a maze made entirely from the paper waste of the ECAL printing centre. Based on the principle of the exquisite corpse, each group created one part of the labyrinth with a strong aesthetic and structural approach, allowing the visitor to get lost in distinct universes.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Clara Von Zweigbergk
Under the guidance of Clara Von Zweigbergk, the 2nd year students had to design paper or cardboard objects around the theme of celebrations: birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and any other type of festivities.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Jonathan Olivares
Jonathan Olivares asked the 3rd year students to identify an object or subject of interest and consider a room built around it. The room purpose, materials contents and construction all stem from themes found within the selected object or subject. The room should be 130 Square meters, free standing, transferable to any location or context, and could serve as an exhibition, installation or habitable interior.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Chris Kabel, Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard
For their graduation trip, the 3rd year students went to Istanbul. Accompanied by Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard and Chris Kabel and collaborating with students from Bilgi University, they had to create souvenirs of the city. Some were able to collaborate directly with local craftspeople. The projects were exhibited at the Istanbul Design Biennial at the end of this trip and had the chance to see their ECAL x Mac Guffin project also exhibited there at that time.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with Fabien Cappello
Under the guidance of Fabien Cappello, designer in Mexico, 2nd year Industrial Design Bachelor students were asked to work around books on the move. They had a one-week workshop to imagine different scenarios.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
with David Geckeler, Frank Michels
Under the guidance of the Berlin based design studio Geckeler Michels, 1st year Industrial Design Bachelor students were asked to built Monuments out of Styrofoam blocks within one week.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Louise Dupont
The hamlet of Aï in the Leysin region, at the foot of the Tour d'Aï in the Vaud Alps, is a historic village of some 15 abandoned chalets listed as heritage sites. Armaï proposes to enhance and revitalize this village by transforming these deserted cabins into self-managed mountain refuges. This type of infrastructure promotes a more respectful approach to tourism and awareness of mountain preservation issues. Moreover, it favours exchanges and reinforces community spirit. One of the cabins becomes a common room for cooking, while the other bungalows become small dormitories. The interior of the chalets is laid out around a central mass stove, with a clever arrangement of the various elements to create a convivial space.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Marion Gomes
Posea emerged from a dedication to marine conservation and a thesis on ecological restoration of marine ecosystems. Focusing on Posidonia meadows in the Mediterranean, crucial both ecologically and economically, this project addresses significant damage caused by boat anchors each summer. Collaborating with Andromède Océanologie, a Marseille-based organization specializing in marine ecosystem restoration, the project endeavors to mitigate these challenges. In 2023, Andromède planted 7,373 Posidonia fragments and plans to double this number. To improve efficiency, I analyzed their methods and proposed a new approach. Using bamboo and optimizing the process with simultaneous tasks, fragment assembly and preparation occur onboard while divers transplant them, doubling the restoration speed.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Giulia Burrus
Solo is an individual sauna designed for small outdoor spaces, that blends perfectly into our familiar environment respecting our intimacy standards. This sauna is in fact primarily intended for personal hygiene moment rather than collective or social use. The materials chosen for its construction enhance the overall experience, such as the semi-transparent fabric that allows light to seep through creating a soothing and intimate atmosphere. This sauna's heating system includes two infrared panels that heat up to 60°C, strategically placed at the bottom and in the back of the seat to fully envelop the user and optimize space. Solo brings daily wellness into the home, making it easily accessible for everyone.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Cyprien Cossy
Biogas offers several advantages, utilizing biological waste and reducing CO2 emissions. MUH is a biogas digester designed for isolated alpine pastures locations where cowherds spend long periods taking care of their animals. This digester offers them the chance to utilizes cow dung as fuel to produce independently the gas needed for their daily life, such as cooking, heating, lighting and so on. MUH is composed of a rotomoulded main body and an inflatable gas tank, that works simply by inserting dung on a daily basis, which releases methane through anaerobic fermentation.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Teo Primo Frizzarin
For painters, working on a vertical surface rather than horizontal one creates physical problems, mainly related to not having adequate arm support. Leo is a chair developed for canvas painters. Its seat, inspired by a horse’s saddle allows a stable posture while guaranteeing great mobility in space. Its adjustable armrest provides support that adapts easily to different positions and heights.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Iris Gerbex
Euflerie is the result of an investigation on the relationship between natural and artificial elements, considering plants as key decorative features in interiors. This project features a collection of 6 paper flowers that come to life through capillarity. Upon contact with water, these flowers bloom, color, perfume, and gracefully degrade, adding a touch of evanescence to daily life. Their short lifespan allows for playful manipulations that enhance meals and special occasions. By removing the flowers from water, their transformation pauses, preserving their form and color. This project offers a poetic and more sustainable alternative to cut flowers, providing a fresh perspective on time and decay.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Basile Avvanzino
Mountain amateurs and beginners can have a hard time in selecting, buying and getting familiar with the equipment needed to sleep outdoor. The 3 objects that are usually necessary are a mattress, a tent and a sleeping bag. Unfortunately these objects are not always designed to fit each other, requiring a lot of space and extra effort. Chrysalide is a new typology of sleeping bag, that combines everything you need in one single object. This new proposition allows the user to sleep comfortably in all weather conditions, while being lightweight and easy to pack. Chrysalide makes sleeping in the nature a simple, handy and pleasurable experience.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Lena Bernasconi
The majority of objects are designed on male standards and therefore are unsuitable for women. This issue translates into objects that discriminate female users, being uncomfortable and even dangerous. That’s specially tangible for personal protective equipment (masks, glasses, protective clothing and shoes) : unsuitable equipment protects less, impairs the tasks and can even injure the workers. WWW (Women Work Wear) are work pants designed by and for women that aim to fill this gender gap. Designed specifically for women woodworkers such as carpenters and cabinetmakers, these pants offer a new aesthetic and provide comfort, adaptability, flexibility and of course protection.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Bradley Campus
Historically, music kiosks have been scenic landmarks, illustrating the mix of different distribution models and architectural styles. In the 19th century, they appeared in numerous catalogues and were offered by street furniture companies, who used kiosks to diversify their production. Rotonde takes up the current challenge of revitalising towns and cities to make them more pedestrian-friendly and lively. This kiosk is designed as a large, open and accessible object that encourages interaction and animation, inspired by 19th century urban planning. I decided to integrate lights and speakers, so that the kiosk could be used at night, and function as a ‘plug & play’ system where musicians could plug in their instruments and give a concert.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Noé Chassot
Inspired by Aldo Rossi's Teatro del Mondo, created for the 1979-80 Venice Biennale of Architecture, the Aflô is a rotomolded chair designed to seamlessly integrate with the CubiSystem modular floating pontoon system. CubiSystem, a French company, offers an ingenious solution comprising plastic cubes that can be assembled with connectors to form versatile floating platforms or pontoons. These simple and low-cost systems offer a wide range of applications. Aflô is an additional module within the company's product range. This seat, combined with the other elements offered by the brand, offers the possibility of comfortably seating an audience on a floating platform during summer events such as concerts, swimming or boating competitions, fireworks displays and so forth.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Diego Eiholzer
Access to water at outdoor events is often a challenge. Hydri is a water station designed to provide a drinking and refreshment spot during festivals, sports events, and institutional gatherings. This innovative unit is built to resemble a standard barrier, making it virtually indestructible and seamlessly integrating into existing barrier rental logistics, ensuring an affordable rental price. Water flows through durable stainless steel pipes and is dispensed in two ways: a linear jet for hand washing, drinking, and filling water bottles, and a directional jet for all other needs.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
by Victoria Guffroy
EXO is a collection of bone porcelain jewelry. Bones are waste products of the food industry, that could be reused as main ingredient in porcelain. Bone porcelain is very robust, and enables the creation of fine and delicate pieces, despite the fact it's not widely applied nowaday. EXO aims to highlight this material, transforming it from waste into precious pieces of jewelry designed to enhance the physical and thecnical proprieties of this material. The collection, inspired by arthropod exoskeletons, includes a main piece that unfolds on the shoulders, and other four pieces derived from it, adapted to various parts of the body: elbows, wrist, finger and ear. All parts are formed by scales that follow curves and movements of the body, articulated and joined by metal connections.
Industrial and product designer, Furniture designer, Watch designer, Textile (soft goods) designer, Packaging designer, Colors and materials designer, Event designer, Exhibition designer, Signage designer, Product developer, Creative director, Teacher…
(BA Industrial Design, MA Product Design et MAS in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship)
Ini Archibong, Dimitri Bähler, BIG-GAME, Camille Blin, Daniele Bortotto, Antoine Boudin, Thilo Alex Brunner, Michel Charlot, D’Esposito & Gaillard, FROM, Tomás Král, Bertille Laguet, Nicolas Le Moigne, LeviSarha, Carolien Niebling, Léa Pereyre, Adrien Rovero, Brynjar Sigurðarson, Christian Spiess, SUPERLIFE, Hongchao Wang, Giorgia Zanellato
Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard
Artistic Deputy
Margo Clavier
Anthony Guex
Assistants
Jasmine Deporta
Sebastiano Gallizia
Bruno Pauli Caldas
Chiara Torterolo
Antonio Albanese
Nicolas Bourgeois
Christian Chabloz
Alexandre Gaillard
Claus Gunti
Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard
Tomás Král
Patrick Monnier
Elric Petit
Adrien Rovero
Deodaat Tevaearai
Julien Wegmüller
Cédric Widmer
Jonas Berthod
Mélanie Boissonneau
Mélanie Courtinat
Mehdi Derfoufi
Pierre Doze
Alice Franchetti
Laurent Guido
Martin Haldimann
Benoit Jeannet
Nicolas Nova
Constance Rubini
Laurence Salmon
Maddalena Casadei
Friederike Daumiller
Christophe Guberan
Erwan Bouroullec
Michel Charlot
Marie Douel (Hors Pistes)
David Geckeler & Frank Michels
Chris Kabel
Christian Kaegi
Manuel Krebs (NORM)
Map Project Office
Philippe Malouin
Carolien Niebling
Jonathan Olivares
Pinaffo — Pluvinage
Julie Richoz
Francesca Sarti
Christian Spiess
Nadine Sterk (Atelier NL)
Charlotte Talbot
Nicholai Wiig-Hansen
Clara von Zweigbergk