Swiss Center for Design and HealthHealthy Futures

The Swiss Center for Design and Health (SCDH) is a unique, future-focused research center and pioneering initiative that explores the intersection of design, science, technology, and health through innovative spaces, objects, and processes. Established in 2019 in Biel, with support from the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Berne, the multidisciplinary team at SCDH focuses on the conception, development, and testing of new design solutions. Their experts simulate full-scale hospital environments and devices with precision down to the millimeter, creating prototypes in environments that replicate actual operational sites.

The main challenge was branding such a highly specialized field – both a physical space and an area of expertise – that remains unfamiliar to most. As the sole player in this niche market, SCDH faced difficulties in clearly communicating the breadth of its work to B2B audiences across all branding touchpoints. Their communication materials and website needed adjustments to better position them as a research center, highlighting their competitive advantages while attracting new investors.

SCDH partnered with BaseGVA to develop a new brand vision and communication strategy that effectively showcases their technological expertise and dynamic approach to healthcare in an accessible format. First, our team created a library of animated signs and schematics to symbolize all the activities and interactions within the center’s projects. Next, with creative direction from Base, the SCDH and Base teams led cutting-edge photography, shoots, and films to showcase the research center's interior, illustrating how future medical facilities are designed and tested to solve real-world challenges. Finally, this approach was extended digitally: the redesigned website – AA compliant for accessibility – reflects SCDH’s ambitious mission to position themselves as a catalyst for scientific, social, and technological expertise, designing practical solutions for a healthier world.