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Smart Up Support on the way to professional independence

«Smart-up – Successfully implementing your ideas» is a joint project of the six departments of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The aim is to motivate and enable students, alumni and staff from all fields of study to successfully set up their own business ideas.

New ideas, design skills and technical know-how are abundant at the Departement of Design, Film and Art. This forms the basis for working independently and making a difference in the context of the "creative industries". 
However, in order to be able to make a living from one's ideas and skills in the design, film and art sector, a minimum of "entrepreneurial" know-how is needed. Smart-up provides individual coaching from experts and advises on all questions – regardless of whether the project is still at the very beginning or already well advanced.

 

Coaching for freelancers and founders from all professions

Get in touch and benefit from seven hours of free coaching. After that, you can book a Smart-up Package for additional coaching and various offers. You can find more information here.

Smart-up at a glance

An overview of the entire "Support program for innovation, entrepreneurship and self-employment at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts" is provided on the homepage.

Smart-up & kleio

Smart-up cooperates with kleio. The starter kit includes three kleio coaching sessions and a kleio account for professional documentation and communication of your own art and design work – free of charge for three years! Further information and registration by e-mail.

Smart-up blog

Current information on events and funding programs, helpful links and success stories from founders and start-ups can be found on the Smart-up Blog.

Smart-up for filmmakers

Do you need feedback on your storyboard or advice on film funding? Get in touch with us.

Founders from Design, Film and Art


BLOP Space

Blob Space
The BLOP Space team uses augmented reality technologies for urban planning processes and cultural mediation. Together with the partners, they develop new spatial stagings and cultural offerings in a co-design process. 
 
Founders:
Tobias Matter, lecturer, project manager Augmented Planning of the Visual Narrative research group
Christian Schnellmann, developer of the Visual Narrative research group, Head of Newsroom Design, Film and Art
Founding year: 2023

 

Kim da Motta

Foto von Kim Da Motta

Kim da Motta's photographic and filmic works focus on the human body and expressions of identity and gender. In her most recent artistic projects, she combines these themes with questions about AI and surveillance. Kim works as a freelance photographer and realizes video projects in the ESC collective. 

Founder: Kim da Motta, graduate of Bachelor in Camera Arts
Founding year: 2020

 

Laura D’Arcangelo 

Bilderbuch von Laura D’Arcangelo

Laura D'Arcangelo's picture books use playful drawings and few words to tell exciting stories and provide an insight into new worlds. They have been nominated several times for important awards; the book "Herr Bert und Alfonso jagen einen Dieb" received an award for illustration. 

Founder: Laura D'Arcangelo, graduate of Bachelor in Illustration Fiction, Master in Art Teaching
Founding year: 2019
Image: Copyright © Atlantis Verlag 2021

By Maria

Schuhe by Maria

The By Maria label stands for tailor-made, sustainably produced women's shoes at fair prices. It connects customers in Switzerland with international designers and local shoemakers in Colombia. By Maria is currently expanding its range with accessories from Colombian artisans. 

Founder: Catalina Jossen Cardozo, graduate of Master in Design, Service Design
Founding year: 2018
 

 

Glühweinwerk

Glühweinwerk

By combining spices and dried fruit, Glühweinwerk offers new flavors for mulled wine and mulled cider. High quality, an authentic story and the transparent origin of all ingredients embody the values of "pure, simple and fair". 

Founder: Mirko Hess, graduate of Bachelor Design Management, International
Founding year: 2018

 

Atelier Goldiger Schlüssel 

Atelier Goldiger Schlüssel

The Goldiger Schlüssel studio embellishes everyday life with small and fine products: Jewelry, eyeglass straps, wallets, key rings and much more. All products are made by hand in Switzerland. 

Founders:
Nina Goldiger, graduate of Bachelor in Object Design
Miriam Schlüssel, graduate of Bachelor in Textile Design
Founding year: 2015