Inspired by an Icon: Victorinox x ECAL

The Original Swiss Army Knife™ is more than a multifunctional tool. For generations, it has stood as a symbol of purposeful, timeless design.

Together with ECAL, the University of Art and Design Lausanne, Victorinox invited students to explore what happens when an icon inspires a new generation of designers. Guided by the design principles that have shaped the Original Swiss Army Knife™, they developed original concepts through their own creative lens.

Discover the five selected projects and the stories behind them.

Vote for Your Favourite

Every project offers a unique interpretation of the design principles behind the Original Swiss Army Knife™. Now it's your turn to decide which one stands out most.

Vote for your favourite project between 15 September and 30 September. Each person can vote once, and the community's favourite project will be announced on 5 October.

About the Victorinox × ECAL Collaboration

Inspired by an Icon

The Original Swiss Army Knife™ has long been recognised for its purposeful, functional and timeless design. More than a tool, it has become a design icon that continues to inspire across generations.

In collaboration with ECAL, the University of Art and Design Lausanne, Victorinox invited Industrial Design students to explore these principles through their own creative lens. Rather than reimagining the Original Swiss Army Knife™ itself, they developed original concepts inspired by the values it represents, demonstrating how strong design principles remain relevant in today’s world.

Where Design Meets New Perspectives

Following a semester of research, experimentation and development under the guidance of renowned designer, Philippe Malouin, five projects were selected for their creativity, relevance and thoughtful interpretation of the design brief.

By bringing together Victorinox’s design heritage and ECAL’s forward-looking approach to design education, the collaboration celebrates the dialogue between experience and emerging talent, showing how iconic design can continue to inspire new ideas.