Deadline: 15-Jun-2026
Emerging Talents: Design with Japan offers two Swiss designers the opportunity to collaborate with Tajimi Custom Tiles and local manufacturers in Tajimi, Japan. The programme supports prototype development, international design collaboration, cultural exchange, mentoring, and exhibition presentation for innovative living space objects made with earthenware.
Programme Overview
Emerging Talents: Design with Japan is an international design collaboration programme for Swiss designers at the early stage of their professional practice.
The programme gives two selected designers the opportunity to work with Tajimi Custom Tiles and local manufacturers in Tajimi, Japan. Participants will explore the creative and technical potential of earthenware and develop innovative objects for living spaces.
The programme supports concept development, prototype creation, mentoring, cultural exchange, exhibition production, communications, and media visibility.
Programme Purpose
The purpose of the programme is to advance contemporary Swiss design practice through international collaboration and material experimentation.
The initiative encourages Swiss designers to explore earthenware as a material for innovative indoor or outdoor living space objects. It also promotes creative exchange between Swiss design talent and Japanese manufacturing expertise.
Key Focus Areas
The programme focuses on design innovation, prototype development, and cultural exchange.
Key focus areas include:
- International design collaboration
- Swiss design practice
- Japanese manufacturing collaboration
- Prototype development
- Living space objects
- Indoor and outdoor design objects
- Experimentation with earthenware
- Mentoring and professional guidance
- Cultural exchange
- Exhibition presentation
- Media visibility
- Public relations
- Online promotion
- Contemporary design development
Funding and Support
Selected designers will receive financial, technical, and promotional support.
The funding includes a flat-rate contribution of CHF 6,000 per studio to support travel and accommodation expenses. This includes economy-class round-trip travel.
Designers with childcare responsibilities may also apply for additional financial support of up to CHF 250 per week. This support may help cover childcare costs or travel expenses for children and, where necessary, a caregiver.
What the Programme Provides
The programme provides selected designers with access to professional support and development resources in Tajimi.
Support includes:
- Workshops in Tajimi
- Access to workspace facilities
- Prototype development support
- Collaboration with Tajimi Custom Tiles
- Collaboration with local manufacturers
- Mentoring
- Mediation services
- Translation services
- Communications support
- Public relations support
- Online promotion
- Exhibition production support
- Exhibition-related cost coverage
Exhibition Support
The programme covers exhibition-related expenses linked to the presentation of selected projects.
Covered exhibition costs may include:
This support helps ensure that final design outcomes can be presented professionally to relevant audiences.
What Designers Will Develop
Selected designers will develop design concepts and prototypes for living space objects.
The objects may be intended for indoor or outdoor use and should meaningfully use the qualities of earthenware.
The project should show a strong design concept, material awareness, and potential contribution to contemporary Swiss design practice.
What Is Not Eligible?
Proposals for tiles and tableware are not eligible under this programme.
The programme also does not support certain project types.
Ineligible projects include:
- Commissioned advertising work
- One-off items
- Craft projects
- Gallery projects
- Promotional platforms
- Publications
- Projects already supported by other federal bodies
- Projects that form part of an educational curriculum
- Projects primarily covering infrastructure costs
- Projects primarily covering operating costs
- Projects that do not depend on support from Pro Helvetia
- Projects involving travel to destinations subject to travel warnings issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is limited to Emerging Talents in design.
Applicants must have design-relevant education or professional registration dating back less than seven years.
Applicants must also demonstrate a clear connection to Switzerland through at least one of the following:
- Swiss citizenship
- Permanent residency in Switzerland
- Professional activity based in Switzerland
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Projects must meet broader cultural and professional conditions.
Eligible projects should:
- Have nationwide relevance
- Contribute to Swiss artistic and cultural production
- Ensure fair working conditions
- Receive adequate co-funding from public or private sources
- Demonstrate artistic and design relevance
- Depend on support from Pro Helvetia
- Be suitable for international collaboration and exhibition presentation
Target Participants
The programme is designed for early-career Swiss designers with strong creative potential.
Suitable applicants may include:
- Emerging product designers
- Emerging object designers
- Designers working with materials and spatial objects
- Designers interested in earthenware experimentation
- Designers exploring indoor or outdoor living space objects
- Swiss-based designers seeking international collaboration
- Designers with a strong concept for prototype development
Why This Programme Matters
Emerging designers often need access to specialist materials, production knowledge, international networks, and exhibition opportunities to advance their practice.
This programme matters because it connects Swiss designers with Japanese manufacturers who have deep technical knowledge of earthenware. It creates space for experimentation, cultural exchange, and new design outcomes that combine Swiss contemporary design thinking with Japanese ceramic production expertise.
The programme also helps emerging designers gain visibility through public relations, exhibition presentation, and international collaboration.
How the Programme Works
The programme works through a collaborative design and prototype development process.
The process includes:
- Eligible Swiss designers submit proposals.
- Two designers are selected for the programme.
- Selected designers collaborate with Tajimi Custom Tiles and local manufacturers.
- Designers participate in workshops in Tajimi, Japan.
- Participants access workspace facilities for prototype development.
- Designers develop concepts for living space objects using earthenware.
- Mentoring, mediation, and translation support are provided.
- Communications, public relations, and online promotion support are offered.
- Final prototypes or outcomes are prepared for exhibition.
- Exhibition-related costs are covered by the programme.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a strong proposal that clearly explains the design concept, material approach, relevance to earthenware, and contribution to contemporary Swiss design.
Application Preparation Steps
- Confirm Emerging Talent eligibility
Applicants should confirm that their design-relevant education or professional registration dates back less than seven years. - Confirm Swiss connection
Applicants should show Swiss citizenship, permanent residency in Switzerland, or professional activity based in Switzerland. - Develop a clear design concept
The proposal should explain the intended living space object and how it will be used indoors or outdoors. - Explain the use of earthenware
Applicants should describe how the concept meaningfully uses the qualities of earthenware. - Avoid ineligible formats
Proposals for tiles and tableware should not be submitted. - Show relevance to Swiss design practice
The proposal should explain how the project contributes to contemporary Swiss artistic and cultural production. - Demonstrate feasibility
Applicants should show that the concept can be developed through workshops, manufacturer collaboration, and prototype production. - Address co-funding
Applicants should demonstrate adequate co-funding from public or private sources where required. - Ensure fair working conditions
The application should reflect fair and responsible working practices. - Check travel restrictions
Applicants should ensure the project does not involve travel to destinations subject to travel warnings issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that do not match the programme’s design and material focus.
Common mistakes include:
- Proposing tiles or tableware
- Submitting a craft project rather than a design prototype
- Proposing a one-off item without broader design relevance
- Presenting a gallery project instead of a living space object
- Not explaining the role of earthenware
- Not showing a clear connection to Switzerland
- Applying without meeting Emerging Talent requirements
- Failing to demonstrate nationwide relevance
- Not including adequate co-funding
- Submitting a project already supported by another federal body
- Proposing work that mainly covers infrastructure or operating costs
- Not showing why Pro Helvetia support is necessary
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be conceptually clear, materially grounded, and internationally relevant.
Applicants should:
- Present a strong and original design idea
- Focus on living space objects for indoor or outdoor use
- Clearly explain why earthenware is central to the concept
- Show awareness of Tajimi’s manufacturing context
- Demonstrate how collaboration with Japanese manufacturers will strengthen the project
- Avoid proposals for tiles or tableware
- Explain the project’s relevance to Swiss design
- Show feasibility within the programme structure
- Include clear prototype development goals
- Demonstrate professional readiness
- Highlight potential for exhibition and public visibility
- Ensure the project has suitable co-funding and fair working conditions
Key Terms Explained
Emerging Talents
Emerging Talents refers to designers whose design-relevant education or professional registration dates back less than seven years.
Earthenware
Earthenware is a ceramic material made from clay and fired at relatively low temperatures. It is valued for its texture, warmth, craft qualities, and potential for functional or decorative design.
Prototype Development
Prototype development is the process of creating test versions of a design object to explore form, material, function, and production methods.
Living Space Objects
Living space objects are designed objects intended for use in indoor or outdoor living environments. They may be functional, spatial, decorative, or experience-based.
Cultural Exchange
Cultural exchange refers to collaboration between people from different cultural contexts to share knowledge, practices, ideas, and creative approaches.
Co-Funding
Co-funding means financial support from additional public or private sources alongside the main programme support.
Scenography
Scenography refers to the design of the exhibition environment, including spatial layout, display, atmosphere, and visual presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emerging Talents: Design with Japan?
Emerging Talents: Design with Japan is a design collaboration programme that supports two Swiss designers to work with Tajimi Custom Tiles and local manufacturers in Tajimi, Japan.
Who can apply?
Emerging designers whose design-relevant education or professional registration dates back less than seven years may apply if they have a clear connection to Switzerland.
What Swiss connection is required?
Applicants must demonstrate Swiss citizenship, permanent residency in Switzerland, or professional activity based in Switzerland.
What will selected designers create?
Selected designers will develop concepts and prototypes for living space objects for indoor or outdoor use that meaningfully explore the qualities of earthenware.
Are tiles and tableware eligible?
No. Proposals for tiles and tableware are not eligible under this programme.
What financial support is available?
Each selected studio receives a flat-rate contribution of CHF 6,000 to support travel and accommodation expenses, including economy-class round-trip travel.
Is childcare support available?
Yes. Designers with childcare responsibilities may apply for up to CHF 250 per week to help cover childcare costs or travel expenses for children and, where necessary, a caregiver.
What other support is provided?
The programme provides workshops, workspace access, mentoring, mediation, translation, communications support, public relations, online promotion, and exhibition production support.
What exhibition costs are covered?
Covered exhibition costs may include venue rental, scenography, visual identity, transport, customs, insurance, and related exhibition production costs.
What projects are not eligible?
Ineligible projects include commissioned advertising work, one-off items, craft projects, gallery projects, promotional platforms, publications, projects already supported by other federal bodies, educational curriculum projects, infrastructure or operating cost projects, and projects not dependent on Pro Helvetia support.
Conclusion
Emerging Talents: Design with Japan offers Swiss emerging designers a valuable opportunity to develop innovative earthenware-based living space objects through collaboration with Tajimi Custom Tiles and local manufacturers in Japan. With support for travel, prototype development, mentoring, translation, communications, and exhibition production, the programme strengthens international cultural exchange and contributes to the advancement of contemporary Swiss design practice.
For more information, visit Pro Helvetia.