Pro Helvetia supports young designers and strives to facilitate their market access as part of its focus on «New Models of Collaboration – Culture and Business 2016–2020». Aimed at Swiss designers, funding is meant to promote conceptual work and distribution, including prototype development and production.

In response to the 5th Call for Projects (in summer 2019), 77 candidates submitted a wide range of projects in the fields of product design, fashion design and service design.

The jury, composed of Damon Bonser, Renato di Rubbo, Cristina Riesen, Chantal Prod’Hom, Lilla Wicki and Adrien Rovero, selected 14 projects for tailored support. The jury identified significant potential in the submissions and praised the generally high quality of the applications.

In view of current developments in the field of sustainable production, now omnipresent in the world of design, the jury clearly stated that a project’s sustainable development dimension does not guarantee its innovative status (if it is not a new approach to sustainability), as this aspect needs to be integrated de facto into product. The jury was also pleased to note that several previously rejected projects will now receive funding, reflecting the usefulness of the jury’s feedback to candidates.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

Lisa Preissle, «NO FUN – from a unique piece to a reproducible miniseries»

Michel Charlot, «Biennal bench»
Jury comments: “This is a very promising Swiss designer with a long-term ambition to expand the project on a larger scale. The public impact of the product is feasible. The basic idea is simple, the challenge consistently met and its execution effective.”

Laure Gremion, «Brise bise»

PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

mikafi,«Prototype: IoT-Coffee-Roaster (coffee roasting as a service for gastro companies)»
Jury comments: «Based on the jury’s previous comments, the team has provided an in-depth analysis of a long-term strategy. It has adapted its design to customer needs. The jury appreciates the team’s perseverance in working on this application.»

Quang Vinh Nguyen, «Pureknit»

Luca Gorissé, «Half-Forgotten»

Studio ilio, «Hot Wire Extensions – Architecture»
Jury comments: «The experimental and sustainable approach has the potential to achieve disruptive scalability.»

PRODUCTION FUNDING

Loushell GmbH, «Loushell Toilet Foot Bench – Production»

YVY GmbH
«UNI – Production of our First Leather Ready-to-Ship Main Line»
Jury comments: «The jury appreciated this project’s high aesthetic quality, know-how and production strategy. The brand identity is very strong.»

 Julia Seemann GmbH, «Production of the Julia Seemann ‘In Bloom’ Collection»

PROJECT EXTENSION FUNDING

Frottee di Mare, «GmbH & Marketing»

Julia Seemann GmbH,
«International Julia Seemann ‘In Bloom’ Pop-up Stores»
Jury comments: «The designer has made some clever design decisions. She remains faithful to the brand’s fundamental values while demonstrating her willingness to iteration, in order to make the collection more accessible.”

Studio Holdener GmbH, «Picknick With Friends: Group Installation At Ss20 Fashionweek In Paris»

Superlife Sàrl, «International Extension»