Christophe AscençaoAbout
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Christophe Ascençao is an art director and industrial designer based in Zürich, working with image and object.

He recently worked within On as an art director, developing campaigns and visual content across photography and film, including work with athletes. There, he refined a visual language shaped by movement and performance.

Alongside his image-making practice, he develops a design approach that is simple, playful, and unpredictable, with a current focus on textile innovation.

His project EC Knit, developed in collaboration with the TextielLab, the professional workshop of the TextielMuseum in Tilburg (NL), received the Swiss Design Association BA Award and is supported by Pro Helvetia. The jury praised the project for its ambition, rigorous methodology, and strong professional execution, highlighting its aesthetic clarity, controlled user experience, and its potential within the night train sector.

EC Knit
Knitted comfort for overnight travel.

A knitted bed designed for overnight trains, offering a lighter, more ergonomic, and intimate alternative to traditional sleeping compartments. Developed in collaboration with the TextielLab, the TextielMuseum’s professional workshop in Tilburg, Netherlands, this project makes use of 3D-knitted textiles produced on a circular knitting machine. The technique allows for precise control over support zones, adapting to the body's contours with padded areas and more flexible sections. The knit extends into panels that reduce noise, filter light, and create a sense of privacy in shared cabins. By lowering weight and simplifying maintenance, EC Knit is a washable textile system that provides a more comfortable and sustainable way to travel by night.

The project was awarded the Swiss Design Association Bachelor Award and is currently supported by ProHelvetia for further development, underlining both its design innovation and its potential for professional implementation.

Photography: Paul Berthon / Colas Ravey