Christophe AscençaoAbout

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.


Layback
A gentle pause within the folds of a balloon.
This temporary installation is made from repurposed fabric sourced from old hot-air balloons from Château-d'Œx, the 'hot-air balloon capital' of Switzerland. Using a thoughtful economy of materials, this unique creation offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Art Basel, inviting visitors to step into a calm environment and reflect on their experience of visiting art and design exhibitions.
 
The modular Layback project was developed in 2024 with Amedeo Oddo during the course of the Bachelor Industrial Design program at ECAL and was installed in Basel, as part of the Swiss Design Awards exhibition.

Photography: Delio Testa / Julien Gremaud