MAS Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025 ECAL x Ceramaret

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024 ECAL x Alloyed

with Nicolas Le Moigne, Alexis Georgacopoulos, Xavier Perrenoud, Basil Dénéréaz

For the Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024 trade show, ECAL/University of Art and DesignLausanne has teamed up with Alloyed, a company that specialises in metal printingtechnologies, to present an original collection of watch straps. Designed by students in theMaster of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship programme, thesewristbands have been developed using 3D modelling software, resulting in unique pieces thatgo beyond the limits of traditional techniques. Five of the 15 concepts designed by the students were selected and 3D printed from a finepowder of TI6AI4V titanium—an alloy composed of titanium, aluminium, and vanadium—whosemelting point of around 1,600° Celsius is obtained using a laser beam. Regularly used in theaerospace, and medical industries, this printing technique, known as Laser Powder BedFusion (L-PBF), can be used to create objects with ultra-high-performance mechanicalproperties. Each project, presented in the form of a prototype or animation, finds its inspiration in thebeauty of nature, through organic structures, as much as in complex systems, closer toengineering. This collaboration brings together technology, craftsmanship, and design—withlinks to the world of fine watchmaking—by combining the expertise of engineers specialising inthe science of materials, the know-how of artisan jewellers and their finishing skills, and thecreativity and innovative spirit of up-and-coming designers.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Upcycling Design

with Nicolas Le Moigne, Bethan Laura Wood

For the second year, students from the MAS in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship were invited to create objects based on the container produced for La Prairie's flagship range. The glass packaging bears the signature cobalt blue that defines the Swiss brand's Luxe Skin Caviar collection, the result of a meeting with Niki de Saint Phalle in the 1980s. Noticing the vivid cobalt blue in the world-famous artist's paintings and sculptures, La Prairie enquired about the significance of this blue in her work. For Niki de Saint Phalle, this resplendent hue, her favourite colour, symbolised femininity, boldness, strength and serenity, describing it as "the colour of joy and luck". With the help of glassmakers based in Switzerland, these glass containers were cut, drilled or sandblasted to give the object a function, while retaining the brand's codes.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

COLLABORATION WITH DEDON 2022 LIGHTING THE FUTUR

with Sabine Marcelis

Dedon by nature An initiative of DEDON Studio, Lighting the Future presents a striking array of nature-inspired light concepts by master stu- dents from the prestigious ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne. This innovative digital exhibition opens in January 2023 exclusively on DEDON channels, including a dedicated microsite enhanced by AR tools. DEDON Studio initiated the ECAL collaboration with a challenge to students in the Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship Masters program: Explore our relation to nature through lighting design, drawing inspiration from DEDON’s groundbreaking fiber. Under the supervision of the acclaimed designer Sabine Marcelis and Nicolas Le Moigne, head of the program, students designed, developed and digitally elaborated their concepts over a nine- month period. The results—beautiful, beguiling, thoughtful and engaging—attest to the creative powers of an emerging genera- tion and the enduring attraction of nature to us all.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Collaboration with L’Epée 1839

with Fiona Krüger

Regatta Very few sports, or indeed very few human activities, merit the term ‘graceful’ as much as does sculling. Long, streamlined craft cutting the water like a stiletto and leaving barely a ripple are among the most elegant forms of human displacement on earth. And that sense of grace conceals both the incredible power of the oarsman and the arrow-like precision of their craft. L’Epée 1839 harnesses and pays homage to the grace of sculling with La Regatta, a sleek vertical clock invoking the shape of the long thin scull, with both the power (8-day power reserve) and precision of the most elegant of watch sports. Our modern lives are often busy and, at times, even chaotic, La Regatta invokes a sense of peace and calm.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

COLLABORATION WITH MEC-ART

with Fiona Krüger

MECHANICAL MARVELS Craftsmanship in Movement: Celebrating Design and the Heritage of Switzerland’s Masters of Mechanical Art

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Collaboration with CSEM

with Alexis Tourron (Panter&Tourron), Stefano Panterotto (Panter&Tourron)

Through a unique project, students from ECAL and CSEM’s engineers have effortlessly combined modern arts & crafts and nanotechnology to create a series of innovative jewelry pieces, "Structural Colors".

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Collaboration with Hermès 2021

with Sabine Marcelis

For this first collaboration with the department Hermès Maison, the students worked on the theme of the mirror, under the direction of designer Sabine Marcelis.

EXHIBITIONS

Mechanical Marvels" exhibition at Homo Faber 2022,
10.04–01.05.2022

On the occasion of  Homo Faber  a public exhibition of the finest European craftsmanship organised by the Michelangelo Foundation and staged at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice (Italy) from 10 April to 1st May 2022, ECAL presents a series of projects by  Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship  developed in collaboration with  Association Mec-Art.

EXHIBITIONS

Exhibition Marsotto Lab, Milano 2018 & 2019,
09.04.2019

In partnership with the Italian marble manufacturer Marsotto LAB, ECAL Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship students present a series of home accessories devised during a workshop with French designer Pierre Charpin. The Italian marble manufacturer that entrusted the project development to ECAL Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship with a clock collection for last year’s Milan Design Week, chose to repeat the collaboration to create home accessories for this year’s edition.

EXHIBITIONS

Exhibition Aesop, Zurich,
01.06.2018

The skincare, haircare and body products specialist Aesop chose ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne to design two accessories for its brand : an electric essential oil burner and a washbag. In doing so, Aesop clearly showed it cared for smart and sustainable design.

EXHIBITIONS

Christofle exhibition,
09.02.2016

Exhibition of silver cutlery created for Christofle in Paris.

EXHIBITIONS

Exposition "Arts & Crafts & Design" with Vacheron Constantin,
14.04.2015

Vacheron Constantin presents the “ Arts & Crafts & Design : Time according to ECAL and Swiss Craftsmen” exhibition, produced in partnership with ECAL/Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne (University of Art and Design Lausanne) and the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte at the Swiss Pavilion at Expo Milan 2015, (the Universal Exhibition to be hosted by Milan) and of which a preview will be launched during the Milan Furniture Fair. This is an innovative approach combining contemporary creation and arts and crafts, and entirely dedicated to knowledge transfer.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Inbal Yarkoney – Lot's Wife

by Inbal Yarkoney

In the Bible, Lot's family fled Sodom without looking back, but Lot's wife disobeyed and turned into a pillar of salt. Historic Sodom was located near the Dead Sea, a mineral salt lake in the heart of the Judean Desert. In Israel, salt is a waste byproduct of mineral mining in the Dead Sea. Desalination all over the world has the same issue. These processes are harmful to marine life. Despite this, salt is a beautiful, purifying material that can be completely recycled. We can transform industrial surpluses into various products. Lot's Wife explores different ways of processing salt: boiling, pressing, and crystallization. Pressing was the most promising method. Modular salt blocks were created to form the lamp as an abstraction emphasizing Lot’s wife’s movement as she is turning back.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Seunghyeon Yoo – T Chair

by Seunghyeon Yoo

T-Chair is a research-based project designed to accommodate diverse postures with compact, ergonomically-driven furniture for indoor spaces. By exploring a new typology suited to contemporary environments, T-Chair offers users a variety of usage scenarios. Its single-axis structure supports a range of movements, from focused to relaxed postures, providing adaptability and comfort in different settings.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Kou Tanikami – GeoFlex

by Kou Tanikami

The design of 3D printed glasses is ideal for creating lightweight frames that fit individual faces perfectly. Utilizing advanced 3D printing technology, each frame can be customized to the exact measurements of the wearer, ensuring a unique fit. By selecting titanium, known for its exceptional durability and lightness, the frames are incredibly strong yet comfortable for extended wear. A standout feature of the design is the fine cuts on the corners of the frame and nose pads. These fine cuts maintain the flexibility of the titanium and enhance comfort and fit. This design makes the frames both functional and aesthetically pleasing, combining cutting-edge technology with sophisticated style.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Sacha Dufour – Conversation artificielle

by Sacha Dufour

Artificial Conversation is a fluid language - an exploration of liquid forms as they interact with the body. This work merges human and technology to propose a new process for creating jewelry. Using photography combined with artificial intelligence, I compose images destined to become jewelry. Experimenting with different techniques, crossing, and superimposing them until an idea is reached. I search for the form that embodies the liquid, sculpting artificial images in the same way I compose photographs. It's a game between a body, a liquid and an intelligence that needs to be guided.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Emilie Seguin – The Heritage of Pearls

by Emilie Seguin

What if jewelry was a storyteller? Jewelry has always embodied a narrative. It highlights places, events or important moments of life. This project reveals my heritage, a family tradition of celebrating a lineage of women: Eighteen pearls for your eighteenth birthday. How does the pearl necklace evolve from one generation to another? How can I pay homage to the existing while pushing the idea of the necklace further? Composing with the old allowed me to create something new. The result is this "fossilization" of the jewel that made such an impression on me. The embossed metal reveals an abstraction of the pearl, evoking its history, its possibilities, its evolution...

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Murillo Weitz – Bird's Nest

by Murillo Weitz

The Bird’s Nest collection focuses on handloom weaving, using recycled, colorful threads from Swiss companies, reflecting the local emphasis on sustainability and recycling. The name symbolizes the intricate, resilient nature of a bird’s nest. By reusing materials, I create textiles and design pieces that are both beautiful and durable. This project highlights the importance of the craftsman's role and handcraft work, aligning with the luxury market’s demand for exclusive, high-quality products that tell a story of sustainability and innovation.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Raazia Hasnain – Shiro

by Raazia Hasnain

Shiro is a project delving into a research of the haptic qualities of a seemingly ubiquitous material: paper. An exploratory journey led to the discovery of a unique surface of Japanese origin. Holding transformative characteristics under a heat source, the magical reveal of the translucency of this paper led to the origin of Shiro. A methodical process paved the road to unique discoveries. A two dimensional surface became the canvas for 3dimensional expression, quickly lending itself to become an artisanal medium by means of special heat application tools especially designed to carve unique textures into the surface. Thus began a delicate dialogue between the paper and the person, giving birth to a boundless world of sensory perception.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

John Stagaman – Retrobruta

by John Stagaman

Retrobruta is a series of speakers inspired by architecture, simple geometry and radical design. The foundation of simple, geometric shapes which overlap results in a distinctive home object while being easy to manufacture, repair or dispose of. Some speakers utilize a recycled polystyrene sheet material created by Polygood, which provides interesting color & texture. The material is comprised of plastic formerly used in electronics - now given a new life in these objects in the same category. The designs serve as an example of how these advancements in sustainable, recycled plastics can be used in everyday products. Taking the form of miniature architectures - the speakers blend into the home environment and can stand alone as a design object on a shelf or countertop.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Blanche Mijonnet – Passages

by Blanche Mijonnet

Over the ages, the Silk Roads have woven many different imaginary worlds. Since the 13th century, they have been a major source of economic and artistic activity in Switzerland. Forgotten in popular history, the production of Swiss silk made Zurich’s reputation, considered the second largest silk producer in the world during the 19th century. Inspired by this powerful story, Passages shed’s new light on the history of Swiss silk by playing with the versatile properties of this natural fabric. Drawing on the image of the walkers who transported the fabrics along the way, a collection of nomadic objects emerges, all from a one-metre by one-metre square and a single ring: a bag, a scarf and a lantern. A line spreads, ready to write new stories.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Alix Malamaire – Crocodium

by Alix Malamaire

For many years, alligator straps have graced luxury watches, giving them a unique identity. Crocodium is inspired by this iconic material to develop a titanium reproduction using 3D printing. As a tribute, it responds to ethical needs by revealing a new visual of the alligator. The concept is being developed in the design of a watch featuring this pattern: the aim is to place the alligator as a protector of time, by applying the concept to the caseback of a reversible watch, which protects the gimbal and offers the option of wearing it as a watch or as an alligator strap.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Nuttiya Ratchtrachenchai – Peels

by Nuttiya Ratchtrachenchai

Fruit is a universal delight, cherished by everyone. The different ways people peel and cut fruit create unique patterns that reflect individual styles. Drawing inspiration from these techniques, the basket collection embodies the intricate and distinctive patterns found in fruit peels. Crafted from high-quality leather, the baskets feature a range of colors that mimic the vibrant hues of fruit rinds. As the leather ages, its texture naturally evolves, adapting and transforming with each use to suit the owner's lifestyle. The baskets embody the elegance of simplicity, turning an everyday activity into a source of refined inspiration.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Esther Alcade – Arrel

by Esther Alcade

Every year, 300 million shoes are discarded, with manufacturing producing 313 million tons of CO2 due to petroleum-derived materials. The Arrel project aims to extend the life of sports shoes by repurposing soles after 1000 km of use. Based in Mallorca, known for its basket weaving and shoemaking traditions, Arrel preserves artisanal knowledge and uses natural materials like palm fibers and esparto grass, also Arrel's new soles use biomaterials to reduce environmental impact. The project preserves Mallorca's cultural heritage by creating more durable shoes and reducing the ecological footprint.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Shan Yu Kuan – BASUANN

by Shan Yu Kuan

BASUANN draws inspiration from the image of traditional Asian rattan/bamboo chairs. Its name echoes the pronunciation of the Taiwanese meaning “tie with cords”. Comprised of seven pieces of spiral ducts, BASUANN is assembled using mortise and tenon joints to connect the sitting part with the legs part. It is further reinforced by cords that securely bind the stool together. BASUANN seamlessly blends contemporary furniture design with the evocative imagery of Asian traditional craftsmanship, showcasing the aesthetic of minimalistic design.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2021

Jury : Nieves Contreras, Creative Director, Lladro, Valencia Alberto Cavalli, Director, Michelangelo Foundation, Geneva Guillaume Delvigne, Designer, Paris Prix De Bethune : Sarah Yao

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2020

Jury : Franziska Kessler, Founder of Frankiska Kessler Gallery, Zurich Marco Sammicheli, Design Curator, Triennale, Milan Alfredo Haeberli, Designer, Zürich Prix De Bethune : Charlotte Therre

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2019

Jury : Sabine Marcelis, Designer, Rotterdam Tylor Brûlé, Editor in Chief and Founder of Monocle magazine, Zurich David Sadigh, Founder of Digital Luxury Group, Geneva Prix De Bethune : Clara Martin

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma Jury 2018

Jury : Bethan Laura Wood, Designer, London Fabien Vallerian, International Director of Arts & Culture, Ruinart, Paris Kieron Marchese Executive editorial director, Designboom, Milan

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2017

Jury : Fiona Krüger, Designer, Obermorschwihr Nika Zupanc, Product and Interior Designer, Ljubljana Benoît Steenackers, Head of Collections, Hermès, Paris

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2016

Jury : Rebecca Larsson Barsotti, Style Manager, Retrosuperfuture, Milan Connie Hüsser, Interior Design Editor, Annabelle, Zurich Mark Barun, Designer, Berlin Prix Vacheron Constatin : Jenna Kaes and Hyunjee Jung

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2015

Jury : Chantal Granier, Creative Director, Baccarat, Paris Jacob Peres, Founder Jpo Global, Tel Aviv Michael Anastassiades, Designer, London Prix Vacheron Constatin : Stefano Panterotto and Alexis Tourron

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2014

Prix Vacheron Constatin : Hongchao Wang

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2013

Each year the students of the Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship are asked to develop a personal project which allows them to work in a more personal and experimental manner.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma Jury 2012

Every year, students from the Master of Advances Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship are asked to developped a personal project, which allow them to work in a more experimental way.

DESIGN FOR LUXURY & CRAFTSMANSHIP

Diploma jury 2011

Every year, students from the Master of Advances Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship are asked to developped a personal project, which allow them to work in a more experimental way.