Research Innovative Solutions through Design, Film and Art

Applying practical, collaborative and transdisciplinary approaches, we develop solutions for current challenges. We are driven by methods and processes from design, fine art, and film. Our research partners include private enterprises, public administration and civil society. 

Our four Research Groups determine the focal points of our research: Pursuing the key topic of sustainability, Product and Textile Design is committed to developing circular processes. Visual Narrative investigates visual narration in film and other media, while Art Research explores art and its interaction with society. Finally, Transformation Design analyses and provides guidance around societal challenges and opportunities in the context of socio-ecological transformation. Our research is predominantly funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), Innosuisse and various foundations. In collaboration with partner universities in Switzerland and abroad, we support doctoral studies in fine art, design, film and research fields that cross these disciplines. 

Throughout our research activities in design, film an art, we support open science and, following the principles of the Better Science Initiative, promote an open and sustainable science culture. 

dfk Zwischentitel News

Zwei Menschen lachen

A gateway to the world of research – the research internship

In the spring semester of 2025, the pilot project “Research Internship” was launched for the first time at HSLU – Design Film Art. Giulio Gallana and Luca Schaffer were the first interns and share their experiences.

Köpfe vor abstraktem Hintergrund

Positionings

In this monthly series of online lectures, we invite inspiring guests from science, politics, business and society to take a stand, share their positions and explore with us potential contributions from the arts and design towards sustainable development.

Current Research Projects

Eine Installation im Raum von Fernando Obieta

The Contingency of Design – A Critique

The critical examination of dependence on technical systems has become an important challenge of the 21st century. Fernando Obieta's doctoral project pursues the question of how an ethics of design could be constituted in times of digitalization.

Mono.Loop.Poly

Polyester is the most widely used textile fibre in the world. The material is non-renewable. Mono.Loop.Poly is developing a textile-to-textile material loop for mono-material polyester products. A design library supports the design of products that are compatible with the material loop.

Guillermina Noël bei einem Design Action Lab Workshop

Accelerating the pursuit of the SDGs in Swiss design education: Design Action Labs

What can Swiss design schools contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? In Design Action Labs, teaching approaches, pedagogical innovations and interventions are researched in order to promote the achievement of the SDGs.

Alte Kameras

Research with and on analog film equipment from private Swiss collections

A project looking for ways to archive the knowledge contained in large private collections of historical film equipment. In this way, it not only aims to counteract the loss of analogue equipment, but also to make modes of use, knowledge and specific aesthetics accessible.

dfk Forschung Zwischentitel Publikationsreihe

Schriftenreihe 745

Publication Series 745

The publication series «745» publishes contributions on the main research areas of the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art. The series is edited by Wolfgang Brückle and Rachel Mader. Available in German only.