Call for projects
— Industrial design
— Interface design
Valais-based companies and designers: it's time to play!
Submit your project and receive financial assistance covering 50% of the project costs!
Are you a Valais-based company with a product or interface that needs to be redesigned or implemented? Are you an industrial or or interface (UX/UI) designer based in Valais and interested in working with companies in the region? PRISM and The Ark Foundation invite you to team up!
Notre appel à projets vise à initier et stimuler les collaborations entre designers et entreprises basés en Valais, en réduisant les risques à l’entrée pour ces dernières. PRISM et la Fondation The Ark soutiennent les projet répondant aux critères avec une aide financière couvrant 50 % des coûts liés à la partie design du projet, jusqu’à concurrence de CHF 10’000.-
What projects can be supported?
Through this call for proposals, PRISM and The Ark Foundation are supporting projects in the field of industrial design or interface design.
Interface design
Interface design refers to the visual and functional design phase of user interfaces, enabling smooth interaction with a digital product or service. Closely linked to user experience, interface design aims to provide an intuitive, enjoyable and consistent environment. Its objective is to promote a positive experience while reflecting the identity and values of the organisation.
The UX/UI designer creates interfaces for various media (mobile applications, websites, interactive devices, etc.), ensuring that they are tailored to the actual needs of users while strengthening the brand image.
Interface design (UI/UX) places great importance on the following elements:
Examples of interface design projects
A mobile application for purchasing transport tickets, a vehicle dashboard, a coffee machine interface, an interactive terminal in a museum, a business software interface…
Industrial design
Industrial design aims to design and develop manufactured products by combining creativity, engineering and commercial acumen. The objective of industrial design is, among other things, to optimise the functionality, manufacture and marketing of a product.
Industrial design places great importance on the following elements:
Examples of industrial design projects in Valais
The development of a range of skis, the manufacture of glasses and carafes, the creation of speakers, the design of vehicles, the design of an industrial machine, the development of an automatic dispenser for wine bottles…
Industrial design aims to design and develop manufactured products by combining creativity, engineering and commercial acumen. The objective of industrial design is, among other things, to optimise the functionality, manufacture and marketing of a product.
Industrial design places great importance on the following elements:
Examples of industrial design projects in Valais
The development of a range of skis, the manufacture of glasses and carafes, the creation of speakers, the design of vehicles, the design of an industrial machine, the development of an automatic dispenser for wine bottles…
Interface design refers to the visual and functional design phase of user interfaces, enabling smooth interaction with a digital product or service. Closely linked to user experience, interface design aims to provide an intuitive, enjoyable and consistent environment. Its objective is to promote a positive experience while reflecting the identity and values of the organisation.
The UX/UI designer creates interfaces for various media (mobile applications, websites, interactive devices, etc.), ensuring that they are tailored to the actual needs of users while strengthening the brand image.
Interface design (UI/UX) places great importance on the following elements:
Examples of interface design projects
A mobile application for purchasing transport tickets, a vehicle dashboard, a coffee machine interface, an interactive terminal in a museum, a business software interface…
Design throughout the entire process
Design is integrated into every stage of product creation, from conception to marketing. Involving a designer from the outset ensures consistent, functional and aesthetically pleasing products, while optimising the user experience and final impact.
How does the call for proposals work?
I acknowledge the terms and conditions.
I consult the complete rules to verify the eligibility of my project, the criteria, and the steps in the process.
I form my duo.
I put together a team consisting of a designer and a company, both based in Valais.
Do you have a project but no designer? Are you a designer available to take on a project? Advertise your services at info@prism-vs.ch .
We submit our application.
Together, we complete the application form and submit it at any time.
Four deadlines are set each year: the first day of March, June, September and December.
Our project is assessed.
Applications submitted by the deadline will receive a response within two weeks of the deadline.
A file sent on 1 December will receive a reply before 15 December.
A file sent on 2 December will receive a reply before 15 March.
If our project is selected...
… we receive financial support covering 50% of the costs related to the design part of the project, up to a maximum of CHF 10,000. Our project also benefits from the visibility offered by PRISM and The Ark Foundation, as well as easier access to other local or sector-specific support, as needed.
Important information
- Valais-based companies from all sectors wishing to rethink or develop a physical product or an application/software programme.
- Designers (freelancers or studios) based in Valais, specialising in industrial or interface design
Each project must be carried out by a duo consisting of a company and a designer.
The projects are divided into two categories: industrial design and interface design. In both cases, each project must be carried out by a duo consisting of a company and a designer (freelancer or design studio), both based in Valais.
For industrial design, evaluators will analyse:
- The project’s anchoring in Valais
- The functionality and aesthetics of the product
- The technical feasibility and commercial potential of the product
- The relevance of user and market needs analysis
- The integration of a sustainable approach (eco-design, choice of materials, optimisation of resources and life cycle, etc.)
For interface design, evaluators will analyse:
- The project’s anchoring in Valais
- The quality of the UX (user experience) and UI (interface)
- The relevance of the business approach and the potential for implementation
- Projects may be submitted at any time until December 2027 using the form available here. There are four deadlines each year: the first day of March, June, September, and December.
- Submitted projects must begin within six months of the application being submitted.
Financial support covering 50% of the costs related to the design part of the project, up to a maximum of CHF 10,000.
Highlighting the PRISM and The Ark Foundation channels
Facilitated access to other local support services, as needed
Frequently asked questions
Who can submit a project?
To be eligible, both parties, i.e. the company and the designer, must be based in Valais. The application must be completed jointly.
I have a project for my business, but I don't know any designers. What should I do?
Contact us at info@prism-vs.ch with a brief description of your project. We will put you in touch, as far as possible, with designers based in Valais who could meet your needs. Once the duo has been formed, you can submit your application together.
I am a designer, but I do not have a business partner. What should I do?
Let us know your availability via info@prism-vs.ch , and we will put you in touch, as far as possible, with Valais-based companies looking for a design partner.
We are already a company/designer duo with a project under discussion. What should we do?
You can submit your project directly online! The submitted project must commence within six months of the application being submitted.
What types of projects are not eligible for support?
The following projects will not be eligible for support under this call for proposals: the creation or redesign of a showcase website (without advanced interactive features), the creation of a visual identity, the creation of a communication or marketing campaign, the creation of clothing, accessories or textile designs, the creation of promotional videos or motion design, the design of spaces or interior architecture, the creation of a service without in-depth interface design work (e.g. the creation of a back-end or technical platform without UI/UX intervention).
Do you have any questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via info@prism-vs.ch before submitting your project.
How can I view the rules for the call for proposals?
The full rules are available here . We recommend that you read them carefully before submitting your project.
Any other questions?
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