Creative Entrepreneurship

Presentation

The Creative Entrepreneurship module provides strategic and practical tools for business creation, administrative management, and business development. The course is aimed at freelance creatives (industrial designers, graphic designers, photographers, and interaction designers) seeking to develop and/or consolidate their professional practice.

Through a combination of interactive classes, short lectures, and a practical project, this module offers classes taught by experts in the fields of design, business development, and management in various fields (legal, finance, design, art, and business). Over a period of 5 weeks, the participants will cover a variety of topics and will be able to implement new methods to sustainably grow their business. Sessions are available in a hybrid format (online with the possibility of in-person attendance at the school).

Language: English
Qualification issued: Certificate of course - 1/5 Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
Fees: CHF 1 200.-, Alumni EXECAL CHF 1000.-
Credits: 2 ECTS
Length: 4h for 5 weeks, on Friday afternoon 1:30pm-5:30pm
Registration deadline: 02.01.2026
Date of course: January 23, 30, February 06, 13, 27 and March 6 2026
Useful links: Admission, Contact
Course format: Hybrid teaching (real-time online and on site at ECAL)

Learning goals

We give you the keys to

Consolidate practical knowledge (methods and tools) to develop professional activities as a creative.
Increase your skills through personalized coaching with experienced practitioners.
Acquire a better understanding of legal and contractual aspects.
Acquire tools and methods to define its services in order to facilitate collaboration and create a lasting relationship of trust with its clients.
Enrich your practice by meeting and exchanging with other professionals.

Course program

This section presents the courses detailed by week.

Week I

Starting your professional activity

Legal forms and taxation (Switzerland)
Business plan
Steps to create your Business

WEEK II

Positioning and developing your activities

Defining goals and types of activities
Market
Competitors
Business growth

Week III

Building a career path

Inspirational talks
Coaching feedback on your positioning

Week IV

Defining a project and mandate

Definition of the project and mandate
Types of contracts: clauses, remuneration
Negociation
Networking

WEEK V

Finding & convincing a client

Convincing a customer
Convincing a foundation

Week VI

Understanding Legal Aspects

Law and Intellectual Property
Data protection

Lecturers

Daphna Glaubert

Head of CAS Creative Leadership

Augustin Scott de Martinville

Founder of BIG-GAME industrial design and Professor at ECAL

Clément Jaton

Lawyer and entrepreneur

Cécile Vulliemin

Head of the Interactive Design & Media Division, Pro Helvetia

Yorgo Tloupas

Director of Yorgo&Co and entrepreneur

Isabelle Moisy-Cobti

Co-founder of Bildung and editorial director for Tools Magazine

Simon Descamps

Co-founder of Bildung

Vera-Maria Glahn

Founder of Tender Edge, consultant in Creative Business, Leadership & Strategy

Courses & researchCertificate of Advanced StudiesCreative LeadershipCreative Entrepreneurship