19 projects have been selected for this year’s call for Design projects, as part of Pro Helvetia’s focus on «New Models of Collaboration – Culture and Business».

With this new promotion model, the foundation is testing support instruments that focus on the development process – from concept to production and marketing – with the aim of helping creative talents to make their entry on the market.

This year’s projects distinguished themselves by a high level of quality, a broad variety and a strong commercial understanding. The jury was excited about the motivation of the applicants to challenge their disciplines and find innovative ways of solving problems. The jury identified a clear pattern towards questioning the whole life cycle of a product and how to be in adequacy with principles of ecology and social balance.

The jury has chosen 19 projects that impressed with their ability to offer poetic, yet user-centred approaches and combine social impact with an elaborated market potential.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

YAAY GmbH – «Visual Archive Exploration»

SAND – «Preliminary researches on design vocabulary and function for a womenswear brand»

Fabien Roy – «Risoux»

Romain Cazier, Tancrède Ottiger – «CONCEPT FOR A VARIABLE TYPE FOUNDRY» »
Jury comments: We are positively surprised by this forward thinking and highly innovative project. The designers work in the rich tradition of typography – a main field of Swiss design heritage – and at the same time are leading the way into a new understanding of «digital typography».

Studio Pararaum – «Rock Skin – a design process towards geological empathy»

Hors Pistes – «SINGAPORE 2020»

PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

Anna Heck – «Rapid Chair»

Panter&Tourron – «TENSE SOFA»
Jury comments: This project is characterized by an outstanding balance of construction, aesthetic, sustainable thinking and market potential. It is therefore in line with the ecological criteria which have become so important in our present. 

Carolien Niebling – «The Sausage 2.0»

WormUp GmbH – «WormUp HOME 2nd GEN – worm-composting for all»

PRODUCTION FUNDING

Varia Instruments GmbH – «Production of a high-end DJ mixer for club use»

Project Circleg – «Appropriate lower-limb prosthetic system»
The jury comments: Behind Project Circleg is a dedicated team that works with an interdisciplinary approach in order to make artificial limbs not only modular and reusable, but also available for those who need it the most. With a great social impact, they show innovative spirit in finding new ways of production.

Joanne Guiraud – «JOANNE GUIRAUD LONDON»

PROJECT EXTENSION FUNDING

Collective Swallow – «Collection 06 BROT PAIN PANE PAUN Production»

Nina Yuun – Grant for Project Extension (International PR

POPLIN PROJECT
The jury comments: We are struck by the design process of this project, including a collaboration abroad that is fruitful for all parties and the designer’s presence in all stages of the supply chain. The designer shows heart in elaborating a fresh way of communication, branding and sales strategy.

Florence Tétier – «Tétier Bijoux»

Garçoa – communication package

NIU – Revision of visual appearance