ECAL presents Folklore Fusion at Milano Design Week 2025
Through the immense popularity of anime, manga, or global phenomena, Japanese narratives and visuals have conquered the world, shaping pop culture and popularizing themes from Japanese folklore in Western media. In this context, Folklore Fusion explores the creative interplay between tradition and modern visual storytelling with a cutting-edge CGI character project.
After an intense trip through Tokyo’s vibrant neighborhoods, rich history, architecture, and local legends, ECAL Bachelor Media & Interaction Design students created the Swijūs — hybrid creatures blending Japanese and Swiss Folklore. Beneath its playful appearance, Folklore Fusion examines the narrative potential of modular design.
Presented at Milan Design Week in a scenography conceived by ECAL Bachelor Industrial Design students, the project offers an immersive experience that brings the Swijūs to life, enriched by a trading card game collection, an interactive map of Tokyo and a printed publication.
Beyond paying tribute to Japanese culture, Folklore Fusion and its Swijūs become imaginary artefacts, reflecting the cultural exchanges and shared narratives of our time.
8–12 April, 11am-8pm
13 April, 11am-4pm
Spazio Orso 16
Via dell'Orso 16
20121 Milano
Théo Déchanez, Isaïa Delaplace, Viktor Gagné, Alexandre Gambarini, Ayten Gönel, Emma Grosu, Odran Jobin, Jérémie Kursner, Mélanie Martin, Marius Parisod, Charlotte Pralong, Gary Sandoz, Julie Turin
Sébastien Matos , Julien Gurtner , Jamy Herrmann , Louis Roh
EXHIBITIONS
ECAL in collaboration with Karimoku New Standard and Presence Switzerland presents Designed in CH, Made in Japan at Milan Design Week 2025