Hugo Von Hofsten

Hugo
Von Hofsten

Projects

PRODUCT DESIGN

Hugo Von Hofsten – The Office Lamp

by Hugo Von Hofsten

What if, sitting at a desk, you had to build a lamp from what was around you? The Office Lamp is inspired by office objects that you can find on your desk. It is made from a 3 mm steel rod bent into a shape borrowed from a paper clip and connected through an eraser. The bulb hangs freely inside, suspended by rubber bands that hug the metal structure and connect to a socket modelled after a scotch tape roll. The Office Lamp comes in an envelope and is easy to assemble.

PRODUCT DESIGN

ECAL X GOOGLE - A Message From Tomorrow

with Chris Kabel

The Industrial Design team at Google (Google ID) initiated a collaboration with ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne to develop a concept for a mobile-focused product inspired by a daily ritual. ECAL’s Master Product Design students were invited to envision innovative hardware engaging with contemporary habits. Through compelling storytelling, these conceptual projects consider the human dimension of mobile technology: how it shapes everyday gestures and how our relationships with devices might evolve in the future. This collaboration reflects ECAL’s forward-looking approach to design, combining experimentation, critical thinking, and a strong receptivity to emerging technologies.

PRODUCT DESIGN

ECAL x OFFECCT - Sound & Vision

with Camille Blin

As the modern workspace and living environment trend towards open-plan designs, the need for versatile acoustic solutions have regained momentum. Offecct, a renown Swedish contrat furniture manufacturer, has teamed up with 8 students part of Master Product Design from ECAL, led by course tutor Camille Blin to reinterpret the acoustic room divider — an essential tool in structuring both our spaces and our ideas. Acoustics have been a steady part of the Offecct’s portfolio since the early 2000's and it is time for this category to question its own versatility and its influence on the well-being of our workplaces.

PRODUCT DESIGN

One-Off 1/1

with Augustin Scott de Martinville

For this semester, students were invited to focus on the creation of a “One-Off” of their choice. They were encouraged to free themselves from the issues traditionally associated with industrial design - mass production, costs, market positioning, etc. The project concluded in a silent auction at the ECAL's traditional Christmas Market.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Transformations

with Studio Isabel + Helen

This workshop was led by Isabel + Helen Studio, a duo of London artists known for their captivating kinetic sculptures and installations. They blend art with movement to create playful and thought-provoking works. During the week, they guided students through the fundamentals of creating dynamic, moving sculptures. Using umbrella mechanisms, students created fireworks.