Showcase & Discover Creative Work

Fabienne Kilchör
Founding Partner
Designer HES in
visual communication

Fabienne Kilchör completed a diploma of visual communication from Geneva University of Art and Design in 2006. After a semester abroad at Berne University of the Arts, her field of expertise strongly expanded through the use of German, her mother tongue.

Following her studies, Fabienne has worked in a visual communication agency as a junior designer and thus gained experience in the field of commercial advertising. Since 2007, as a research assistant to the HEAD-Geneva, she took part in the developement of a pilot project combining the multidisciplinary fields of visual communication, interior and industrial design. Alongside, she continued working as a freelance graphic designer.

In the creative space of La Fonderie in Carouge, Fabienne joins Sebastien Fasel with whom
she starts Emphase Sàrl. They transfer the headquarters to Lausanne a year later.

Since November 2008, Fabienne works part time as a research associate with Berne University of the Arts on the communication design pathway. She conducts research in the field of "Knowledge Visualization". In autumn 2011, she started a PhD in a Graduate School of the Arts. Her thesis explores the problematic of the map displays in the area of archeology.

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Sébastien Fasel
Founding Partner
Bachelor of Arts
HES-SO in
visual communication

Sebastian received his Bachelor of Arts HES-SO in visual communication at the HEAD-Geneva in 2009. An exchange erasmus semester in Barcelona allows him to study in Spanish, and refining his second language.

After An internship in the creative studio space of La Fonderie in Carouge, he finds the opportunity to settle there as a freelance graphic designer, and begins his collaboration with Fabienne Kilchör.

Together, they create Emphase GmbH in 2010 and moved their workspace in Lausanne. Since 2010, Sebastian is working with Fabienne for the Berne University of the Arts on research projects related to the field of visual knowledge. Read Less

Emphase Sàrl is a visual communication agency based in Lausanne. The team develops projects from concept to production. Turned mainly towards editorial, the agency designs printed matters such as books, annual reports, brochures, posters and visual identities. We also create projects in space such as signage systems and scenography.

Emphase Sàrl is specialized in the area of information design. That is the visual processing and development of new visualization methods for the presentation of raw data and providing alternatives to standardized maps or charts. Using data visualization, the attention of readers, customers or employées is increased and helps to understand and absorb new information. The company differs from its competitors by using a very simple and clear informative visual language.

Emphase Sàrl, through Fabienne Kilchör, is working since 2008 with the Berne University of Art in the research field of "Knowledge Visualization" and "Research through Design". The projects include issues of viewing quantitative and qualitative data as well as complex information systems. Part of the research focuses on transdisciplinary practice aligned with business partners, science, government and culture.

Since 2011, Fabienne and Sebastien teach infographics and portfolio design at the Geneva University of Art and Design for the fashion and jewellery design students. Read Less

April 2009 – november 2010
Zwischensaison explores the visualization of a complex and heterogeneous collection through the example of Swiss hotel Archives. The research question is: How to organize, structure and put in context a visual network of complex and heterogeneous objects through methods of "Knowledge Visualization"? The aim is to discover a rich collection based on archival material to create a global view of heterogeneous data as well as giving them meaning and context. The tools we developed allow researchers to create new combinations of research.


April 2010 – november 2011
Stimmungsbarometer explores forms representing subjectivity. The affect is difficult to be understood quantitatively, visualized and transformed into analog data. This research studies procedures for the development of a questionnaire on chronic pain. Specifically, Elements and visual representations are tested and developed. The research question is: How to quantify and represent the location and density of pain? Read Less