Feed

Type

Course

Know-how

Years

1979 2023
Fleur Federica Chiarito – ACCA

PRODUCT DESIGN

Fleur Federica Chiarito – ACCA

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.

Marcus Angerer – Layer

PRODUCT DESIGN

Marcus Angerer – Layer

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.

Matteo Dal Lago – Natura Molta

PRODUCT DESIGN

Matteo Dal Lago – Natura Molta

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.

Yohanna Rieckhoff – re- club

PRODUCT DESIGN

Yohanna Rieckhoff – re- club

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.

Luca Vernieri – Campà

PRODUCT DESIGN

Luca Vernieri – Campà

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.

Jule Bols – Disassembly Dialogue: Sketches and Dummies

PRODUCT DESIGN

Jule Bols – Disassembly Dialogue: Sketches and Dummies

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.

Paula Mühlena – Living in a Wall: A Feasible Fantasy

PRODUCT DESIGN

Paula Mühlena – Living in a Wall: A Feasible Fantasy

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.

Maxine Granzin – Project Beam

PRODUCT DESIGN

Maxine Granzin – Project Beam

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.

Luis Rodriguez – Coalesce

PRODUCT DESIGN

Luis Rodriguez – Coalesce

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.

Lucas Hosteing – Kouéno

PRODUCT DESIGN

Lucas Hosteing – Kouéno

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.

Cedric Oder – Skin

PRODUCT DESIGN

Cedric Oder – Skin

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.

Chiara Torterolo – MedGum

PRODUCT DESIGN

Chiara Torterolo – MedGum

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.

Oscar Rainbird-Chill – Point de Charge

PRODUCT DESIGN

Oscar Rainbird-Chill – Point de Charge

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.

Donghwan Song – Circuit Riff

PRODUCT DESIGN

Donghwan Song – Circuit Riff

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.

Sophia Götz – Smell&Tell

PRODUCT DESIGN

Sophia Götz – Smell&Tell

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.

Sebastiano Gallizia – FrameCraft

PRODUCT DESIGN

Sebastiano Gallizia – FrameCraft

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.

Ecal for Schätti

PRODUCT DESIGN

Ecal for Schätti

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.

U.F.O.G.O. Wind Turbines

PRODUCT DESIGN

U.F.O.G.O. Wind Turbines

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’)

The New Final Form

PRODUCT DESIGN

The New Final Form

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.

Fogo Island Plastic Free Kites

PRODUCT DESIGN

Fogo Island Plastic Free Kites

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.

ECAL x On 2040

PRODUCT DESIGN

ECAL x On 2040

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.

ON 2040 - MASTER PRODUCT DESIGN

PRODUCT DESIGN

ON 2040 - MASTER 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.

Antoine Jacquat – Aura

PRODUCT DESIGN

Antoine Jacquat – Aura

with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders, affecting over 50 million people worldwide. The seizures this disorder causes greatly limit the autonomy of the people concerned who often cannot drive or venture out on their own. Thanks to artificial intelligence and electrodes, it is possible today to predict and warn about epileptic seizures before they occur. Although such devices have the potential to save lives, the majority of these people refuse to wear them because of their stigmatising aspect. Thus I designed a 3D knitted cap, including all the necessary technology to securely predict seizures. The product, with its subtle aesthetics, invites people with epilepsy to wear such devices to enable them to move more freely in their daily lives.

Yoosung Kim – Zest

PRODUCT DESIGN

Yoosung Kim – Zest

with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common diseases in the world. Despite their disability, people with CP would like to be more physically active, as evidenced by the Paralympics, which features many disabled players and sports. However, there is a lack of shoes for such people. Simply putting on the shoes and lacing them often presents a challenge for the user, who most of the time has to ask for help from their coach. My Zest shoe is easy to put on with one hand. In addition, it can be customised according to personal physical ability using knitting and 3D printing technology. This project was developed thanks to feedback from professional athletes with CP and testing in the lab of Swiss sportswear brand On.

Borja Suqué – Hand-Assembled Portable Light Series

PRODUCT DESIGN

Borja Suqué – Hand-Assembled Portable Light Series

with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin

When designing an object, ad hoc processes are frequently used to imitate industrial ones. These improvised methods are often as intriguing as the ones they represent. At a time when it is difficult to rely on conventional producers due to constant changes in supply chains and the market, it is engaging to seek alternatives that allow for creative interest and production outside of industrialisation. Triggered by these factors, my project explores a method of self-producing a limited series of portable lights in a way that falls outside the traditional discipline of design and the standardised processes of mass production. All the lamps are hand assembled and made using off-the-shelf materials, techniques and electrical components.

Stefan Troendle – HydrogenCooker

PRODUCT DESIGN

Stefan Troendle – HydrogenCooker

with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin

According to the WHO, the use of fossil fuels in the home, including cooking, and the resulting indoor air pollution causes 3.8 million deaths each year, mostly in developing countries. HydrogenCooker is a green hydrogen-powered cooking station developed in collaboration with EPFL’s Renewable Energy Research Laboratory and Softpower, a start-up from Cameroon. The stove can replace current open fire or natural gas cookers while using locally solar-generated hydrogen and only emitting water vapour during the cooking process. As a result, cooking becomes less harmful and more sustainable. Local production of the appliance and deviant cooking habits discovered on a research trip to Cameroon guided the design process.

Reo Koda – In Fill Out - TPU

PRODUCT DESIGN

Reo Koda – In Fill Out - TPU

with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin

In Fill Out is a new manufacturing process that inflates a 3D printed object by heating the air inside. In order to achieve the most effective use of activated air, I designed the shoe sole to take advantage of its cushioning function with TPU – a kind of material that is flexible, recyclable, and widely used in the footwear industry. The result introduces new possibilities for digital manufacturing: fewer materials, lightweight, zero waste, recyclability, short printing time, less post-processing, personalisation to the foot, and much more.

Tsubasa Koshide – Printed Picture Frame

PRODUCT DESIGN

Tsubasa Koshide – Printed Picture Frame

with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin

Picture frames are objects that have been developed for a long time to display pictures. As a designer and illustrator, I have designed a unique system that can be quickly produced and customised. A picture frame is a simple object, but it still combines many materials, costs a lot of money to produce and does not offer a choice of colours or patterns. However, when manufactured with a 3D printer, you can easily produce colours, patterns and shapes that suit illustrations and moods. It also makes it possible to create elongated shapes and circular picture frames that would have had to be custom-made in the past.

Lukas Lüttgen – Voie

PRODUCT DESIGN

Lukas Lüttgen – Voie

with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin

Voie is a modular, barrier-free bench for the platforms of the Swiss Federal Railways, designed to improve the quality of the experience in stations and to make travel easier for people with reduced mobility and the visually impaired. Its open, modular design allows for a variety of configurations and invites users to rest and meet spontaneously. To allow for more greenery, pots serve as a link between the modules. Locally produced and sustainably treated ash wood provides a comfortable yet robust seating surface. Voie was developed in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Railways.

Thomas Manil – Lemanne

PRODUCT DESIGN

Thomas Manil – Lemanne

with Augustin Scott de Martinville, Camille Blin

Jewellery is a product, the result of know-how, that raises questions about its materials, manufacturing techniques, aesthetics, etc. From high jewellery to costume jewellery, via the stances taken by contemporary jewellers, the jewellery sector – whether it comes under the heading of craftsmanship, art or design – has found its way into innovation and creativity. Lemanne is a collection of jewels inspired by the Lake Geneva region, which makes use of its traditional know-how. The refined combination of pearls, made from pure guanine of fish scales from Lake Geneva, combined with manufacturing processes and fishing techniques, generates the DNA and character of the project in its entirety.

Clemens Neureiter – A Soup a Day

PRODUCT DESIGN

Clemens Neureiter – A Soup a Day

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.

Beat Baumgartner – Instelloni - Local Grown Instant Pasta

PRODUCT DESIGN

Beat Baumgartner – Instelloni - Local Grown Instant Pasta

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!

Paul Rees – Futuristic Objects

PRODUCT DESIGN

Paul Rees – Futuristic Objects

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.

Danpeng Cai – TEXTure

PRODUCT DESIGN

Danpeng Cai – TEXTure

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.

HsinHung Chou – Nimble

PRODUCT DESIGN

HsinHung Chou – Nimble

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.

Carolin Schelkle – The Black Sheep of the Wool Industry

PRODUCT DESIGN

Carolin Schelkle – The Black Sheep of the Wool Industry

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.

Cheuk Yin Chow – M-01 Illumination-induced Multispectral Camera

PRODUCT DESIGN

Cheuk Yin Chow – M-01 Illumination-induced Multispectral Camera

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.

Giacomo De Paoli – Dipolo

PRODUCT DESIGN

Giacomo De Paoli – Dipolo

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.

Manuel Steffan – Bing!

PRODUCT DESIGN

Manuel Steffan – Bing!

with Camille Blin, Augustin Scott de Martinville

Bing! is a music composition tool that enables anyone to visually compose and create melodies in an analogue way. Colourful aluminium rods that are tuned to different notes can be freely arranged and played with a sliding steel ball. Simplifying the idea of rhythm into sequence and interchanging the notes helps create intuitively – especially for people without prior musical education. The project derives from my MA thesis on how we – even as adults – need to play in order to learn, as well as from my personal passion for musical instruments.

Ecal×Yamaha Sound Machines

PRODUCT DESIGN

Ecal×Yamaha Sound Machines

with Camille Blin

Master Product Design students from ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne have created, in collaboration with Japanese brand Yamaha and its Design Laboratory, new types of music players in order to meet new requirements related to listening to music. Under the guidance of Camille Blin, Head of the project, the students first investigated and documented different contemporary processes and ways of listening to music, specifically through photographs and videos. The aim was to create a cartography of these practises. In a second step, they transcribed and applied these findings to new music playback devices – relevance and innovation being essential in this phase of the project. Finally, with the help of specialists from the Yamaha Design Laboratory based in Hamamatsu (Japan) and Los Angeles (USA), they developed the formal and technical qualities of their initial concepts into prototypes. Six projects were finalised, with great attention to details and materials, which are now presented thanks to a scenography by Anthony Guex. Hence, the exhibition features a music player that offers musicians a new way to practise their instruments using artificial intelligence; an installation that responds to the growing demand for live concerts at home by using a combination of sound and light to mimic a real concert environment; ASMR instruments that offer listeners a soothing moment by playing the sounds of relaxing movements; a home speaker that allows for a smoother transition between the different music players commonly used in the home; a player that offers an unexpected experience by displaying the rotation of a vinyl record vertically on a pedestal, and a speaker that allows people to listen to their music using their favourite objects as a trigger.

Ecal×Mini Rethinking the Wheel

PRODUCT DESIGN

Ecal×Mini Rethinking the Wheel

with Christophe Guberan

"Rethinking the Wheel" – a series of projets on steering wheels. Will we be controlling our cars through voice recognition in future? With a soft toy? How about a pizza box? The digital transformation and electrification of cars has opened up a world of possibilities at the wheel. MINI’s design team and ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne have collaborated closely on a sophisticated design study to develop unexpected ideas for the future of steering wheels. Under the direction of ECAL tutors Camille Blin and Christophe Guberan, Master students in Product Design have addressed the topic and come up with spectacular designs, developing, improving and ultimately achieving their vision in ongoing consultation with Christian Bauer, Head of Interior Design at MINI. The result: nine innovative and surprising designs that question existing shapes and materials – and, as such, the way in which we might interact with our cars in the future – with a lot of creativity.

Till Ronacher – Bæg

PRODUCT DESIGN

Till Ronacher – Bæg

by Till Ronacher

In addition to awareness raising, one of the main challenges of our throwaway society is the disposal of recyclable waste. We have to start to see our waste as a material resource and sort it efficiently in order to keep it in the material cycle. Bæg is a hybrid between a shopping bag and a recycling bin, made from recycled truck tarp from FREITAG. Unlike ordinary bins, the portable bag eliminates the need for bin liners. A wall hook makes it easy to fix, fill and remove the bag. Bæg aims to change the stigma towards domestic waste and acts not only as a bin for home but also as a tote bag on the go.

Jisan Chung – RollerJet

PRODUCT DESIGN

Jisan Chung – RollerJet

by Jisan Chung

Printed paper has been gradually replaced by digital documents such as e-books, e-tickets, e-mails and so on, changing the role of home printers. Yet, at the same time, we still value tangible interactions, such as taking notes on printouts or simply carrying them around for reference. RollerJet offers new possible uses for home printers in our digitalised world. Using a roll of paper instead of sheets, it can print out any length you want, from small sizes for tickets, check-lists or memos to A4 size for larger, typical documents. After printing, the paper can be easily torn off with a single hand.

Trolle Rudebeck Haar – Löyly

PRODUCT DESIGN

Trolle Rudebeck Haar – Löyly

by Trolle Rudebeck Haar

Löyly is a prefabricated floating sauna on Lake Geneva. This microarchitecture offers a unique experience of relaxation from the lake while watching the water and the Alps through its translucent walls. It can be reached by swimming to the floating pontoon and opening the sliding door. The sauna is built with Swiss wood and consists of a bench for 2-3 people and a wood stove.

Oscar Kwong – Belay

PRODUCT DESIGN

Oscar Kwong – Belay

by Oscar Kwong

Belay is an active office chair that questions the state of our sitting culture. All stuck in the same position, hunched over desks, our posture undeniably suffers. The chair lies somewhere between the bouncy extravagance of exercise balls and the technical possibilities offered by ergonomic chairs. Correcting one’s posture requires a conscious effort. This awareness is initiated by an active element consisting of an oscillating seat combined with a rotating base. This mechanism actively stimulates the muscles of the seated person, making them reflect on the quality of their posture. The initial intention was to inject a level of playfulness into the office space that did not interfere with work, reflecting a more balanced approach to our health at work.

Alexander Schul – Monomaterial Bra

PRODUCT DESIGN

Alexander Schul – Monomaterial Bra

by Alexander Schul

Three points are problematic regarding the current method of bra production: the assembly usually consists of different materials, which makes the object difficult to recycle; the traditional sewing process takes time, resulting in outsourcing of labour into third world countries; and the use of standard parts and sizes does not allow much customisation, making bras often uncomfortable to wear. The Monomaterial Bra is a vision of how bras could be manufactured in the future. Using a robot arm, soft and hard layers of TPU can be extruded on a curvature, resulting in a bra made from a single material. The process is fully automated and allows for customisation.

Alessandro Simone – Movement of Change

PRODUCT DESIGN

Alessandro Simone – Movement of Change

by Alessandro Simone

The consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly important and time is running out to act. Protests are taking place on the streets and online through the promotion of information, media and visual content. Movement of Change has been developed to explore new protest tools to raise awareness of the climate emergency. The project links outdoor sports with climate propaganda to create unusual ways of spreading messages by collaborating with a growing community strongly connected to the natural playground and its protection. Movement of Change is a series of technical tools for sports that use athletes’ performances to create powerful visuals, shaping a community to protect what is, for some, a playground but above all our home.

Silvio Rebholz – On the Way to Work with…

PRODUCT DESIGN

Silvio Rebholz – On the Way to Work with…

by Silvio Rebholz

Mention Excellent Prix EXECAL On the Way to Work with… is a series of video interviews in which I accompany designers, artists or other creative professionals on their way to work. For each episode, I designed a vehicle or a camera device adapted to the guests and their means of transport. These tailor-made objects are designed to create a surprising interview setting and to serve as a camera set-up to capture the conversation on the go without a big film crew. The daily commute is a transition period between private and professional life and forms the stage for an interview which sheds light on the guests’ personality and their passion for their job. The interview series is an experimentation to develop a personal ongoing project as an extension of my practice as a product designer.

Ming Sum Kwan – E-Wheelchair Trolley

PRODUCT DESIGN

Ming Sum Kwan – E-Wheelchair Trolley

by Ming Sum Kwan

With the world’s aging population and the increasing number of travellers, wheelchair services at airports will become more demanding and intensive in the future, which could require assistance providers to increase their manpower. Thanks to its electric-powered wheels, the E-Wheelchair Trolley reduces airport attendants’ workload, who have to push heavy wheelchairs and carry cabin luggage during their service. The wheelchair is equipped with technology that allows it to be completely autonomous when not in use, returning to the battery charging station by itself. Like the airport trolleys, the wheelchair can also be nested, which saves a lot of space.

Jimin Jeon – Water Marble

PRODUCT DESIGN

Jimin Jeon – Water Marble

by Jimin Jeon

Water Marble is a collection of low-tech toys, free from environmentally harmful elements (plastic, batteries, etc.) and prescriptive gender roles. The toys are made from densely moulded paper with a plant-based super-hydrophobic finish and can be enjoyed by simply adding a drop of water. On the water-repellent surface, drops of water roll around like marbles. By simply using water and gravity, children can develop their sense of balance.

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