A Swiss-Japanese Dialogue Through Computer-Generated Imagery

Reimagining Folklore with Swijūs

During the exhibition, students from ECAL’s Media & Interaction Design program introduced Swijūs, a unique set of characters merging elements from both Swiss and Japanese folklore. This creative fusion resulted in new narratives that bridged cultural traditions with modern storytelling techniques. Visitors engaged with the project through a variety of mediums, including prints, augmented reality, an interactive platform, a book, and a collection of trading cards, all of which provided a fresh perspective on folklore and its relevance in today’s digital age.

The exhibition offered an immersive journey into folklore reinterpretation. Visitors were drawn to the striking prints featuring 13 distinct Swijū characters, along with large-scale panels and traditional noren curtains that enhanced the visual experience. Augmented reality brought the characters to life, allowing guests to interact with them through their smartphones, while a digital platform provided detailed insights into the creative process. The exhibition also featured a book documenting the artistic journey, as well as a collection of 56 trading cards, giving visitors a tangible way to connect with the project beyond the exhibition space.

For those who missed the exhibition, the Swijū characters and their stories live on through the book and trading card collection, which remain available for purchase online:

Opening Reception

The Folklore Fusion vernissage was an inspiring evening celebrating the intersection of tradition and innovation. A special talk by Elodie Anglade, 3D Teaching Assistant for the project, offered behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process. Guests explored prints, augmented reality experiences, and an interactive trading card game, immersing themselves in a unique blend of art and technology.

Credits

Bio

Pauline Saglio
Head of Bachelor Media & Interaction Design & Head of Project
Pauline Saglio (*1989) is a Swiss interaction designer and professor at ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne, where she leads the Bachelor Media & Interaction Design program. This program connects various aspects of digital communication and is aimed at students interested in exploring new technologies in visual communication. As co-founder of Mouvement Studio, Pauline has worked on interactive installations and scenographies that combine physical and virtual elements to create new forms of storytelling. With over a decade of experience and having collaborated on numerous projects with renowned international brands, Pauline manages projects ranging from visual communication to tangible design. She encourages the exploration of different fields through CGI production, programming, and practical concepts, fostering innovative ways to link media, data, and interaction in interactive experiences.
Bio

Kylan Luginbühl, Elodie Anglade
CGI Teacher & Digital Content
Elodie Anglade & Kylan Luginbühl are Swiss designers and teachers at ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne. Their work focuses on 3D experimentations and immersive experiences, blending physical and digital spaces through CGI and emerging technologies.

Elodie is a freelance interaction designer, while Kylan is a media designer and co-founder of Floating Point Studio. Their projects have been showcased at international events such as DEMO Festival, KIKK, Geneva International Film Festival, and Dubaï Design Week.
Bio

Louis Roh
Graphic design, Lettering & Illustration
Roh Louis (2000) is a graphic designer from Wallis who studied at EDHEA (VS) in 2015 and then at ECAL (VD) in 2020. He completed his graphic design studies in 2023 and works as an academic assistant at the Lausanne Cantonal School of Art (ECAL) alongside his independent practice. He varies his production across multiple mediums such as books, animation, visual identity, etc.
Bio

Sébastien Matos
Web Design, Interactive Content & Video
Sébastien Matos (*1996) is a freelance interaction designer. He specializes in web and motion design. He loves solving problems and pushing his own boundaries. He studied at ECAL, where he now teaches and shares his expertise. He is also part of Mouvement Studio, a collective that creates interactive installations and scenography.
Bio

Julien Gurtner, Jamy Herrmann
Trading Card Game Design
Jamy Herrmann is a Media & Interaction Design graduate from ECAL, where he later worked as an assistant in the Visual Communication department and the Centre des Technologies. His work explores the intersections of graphic design, imagery, and emerging technologies, questioning their impact on perception and interaction. Through his practice, he examines how digital media reshape visual experiences and their implications. Julien Gurtner (*1982) is an independent graphic designer, illustrator, communication advisor and, since May 2019, artistic deputy at the ECAL (University of Art and Design Lausanne) for the visual communication department. He studied graphic design and space and communication at the Art and Design University of Geneva. He founded the Voile Noire studio specialized in creation of brand identities and visual strategies in 2016.