Dezeen School Shows: a low-profile leather lounge chair equipped with CNC-bent steel legs is among the projects from Tomas Bata University in Zlín.

Also featured is a website that explores free speech and a fashion collection using natural indigo dye.

Tomas Bata University in Zlín

Institution: Faculty of Multimedia Communications
Course: Fashion Design, Product Design, Digital Design, Industrial Design, Jewellery Design and Graphic Design
Tutors: Jana Kotikov, Vladimír Kovařík, Bohuslav Stránský, René Baďura, Sabina Psotková and Pavel Noga

School statement:

"The faculty of Multimedia Communications at Tomas Bata University in Zlín will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.

"Its identity is closely connected to Zlín, a city whose modern character was profoundly shaped by the development of the Bata company, leaving a lasting legacy in its architecture, design and visual communication.

"The roots of design education in Zlín date back to the School of Arts, founded in 1939 on the initiative of Jan Antonín Baťa.

"Today, the faculty comprises fourteen studios, the Department of Marketing Communications and the Department of Theoretical Studies.

"Design disciplines form a significant part of its educational programme, ranging from industrial and product design to footwear, fashion, jewellery and glass, as well as graphic, digital and spatial design.

"Alongside design, the faculty also offers programmes in photography, game design, animation, audiovisual arts and arts management.

"Many of its studios have long-standing collaborations with companies, manufacturers and cultural institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad, involving students in real-world projects.

"This approach connects creative practice with theory and professional experience, while fostering collaboration across disciplines."

The Interactive Dictionary of Free Speech by Adrián Gubrica

"The experimental website The Interactive Dictionary of Free Speech explores the topic of freedom of speech. The project aims to present this relevant issue in an engaging and educational way, particularly targeting young people.

"It employs cutting-edge web technologies, combining generative graphics, animations and advanced interactions to deliver a high-level experience.

"It showcases innovative possibilities for immersive digital storytelling. It also includes a fully accessible version for individuals with disabilities.

"The site can be accessed at freespeech.gubrica.com. The project was built by a real human in the pre-agentic era without access to the latest AI capabilities."

Student: Adrián Gubrica
Course: Digital Design
Tutor: Bohuslav Stránský
Email: gubrica.a[at]gmail.com

Sound Forms by Filip Skácel

"Sound Forms (Zvukové formy) explores the historical pursuit of visualising and notating sound through shapes, colours and textures.

"The book traces graphic approaches to sound and music, from early experiments and theories to digital tools and contemporary audiovisual works, focusing on graphic scores.

"It concludes with a typology of shapes found in these experimental notations. QR and Spotify codes throughout the book connect the visuals with musical examples, and transparent inserts layer graphics, text and reconstructed notations, allowing them to overlap and interact.

"The book is based on original texts that form the theoretical part of the bachelor's thesis."

Student: Filip Skácel
Course: Graphic Design
Tutor: Pavel Noga
Email: f_skacel[at]utb.cz

Glowix – Reflective Elements by Klára Kiesewetterová

"Variable reflective accessories that aren't just a necessity, but can also add a unique touch to everyday items.

"The material is leather covered with reflective fabric, which gives the accessories elegance and appeal.

"The accessories can be worn in a compact form as a pendant or in an extended form, attached in various ways to the body and other items."

Student: Klára Kiesewetterová
Course: Product Design
Tutor: Vladimír Kovařík
Email: k_kiesewetterova[at]utb.cz

Tomorrow Was Yesterday by Lukáš Demovič

"Tomorrow Was Yesterday is a short animated film about the human tendency to ignore the importance of time and the consequences this creates in our future.

"This idea is depicted through one day in the life of the protagonist and his problem with responding to duties in a timely manner.

"The visuals of the video are processed in stylised 3D animation, with a focus on motion design."

Student: Lukáš Demovič
Course: Digital Design
Tutor: Bohuslav Stránský
Email: ldemovic9[at]gmail.com

Do You Remember? by Nela Svrčinová

"From childhood, we have an instinctive need to keep our hands occupied. We roll small stones between our fingers, doodle in notebooks, or simply watch objects move.

"This collection grows out of these intuitive forms of play. Brass spheres move freely along circular paths, responding to the wearer's movements and creating subtle sounds, shifting rhythms and ever-changing compositions.

"Each piece invites touch, observation and interaction. Here, play becomes a way of slowing down and becoming more aware of the present moment. The collection consists of a ring and a pin brooch."

Student: Nela Svrčinová
Course: Jewellery Design
Tutor: Sabina Psotková
Email: n_svrcinova[at]utb.cz

Faro Furniture by Šimon Valovič

"Timeless accessories and furniture for indoor and outdoor spaces, crafted using solid ceramic extrusion.

"Inspired by the colours and patterns of traditional Portuguese azulejo tiles, each piece transforms this cultural heritage into functional, durable and distinctive furniture suitable for a variety of environments."

Student: Šimon Valovič
Course: Product Design
Tutor: Vladimír Kovařík
Email: s_valovic[at]utb.cz

In Shades of Blue by Tamara Koperová

"In Shades of Blue is a fashion collection exploring the possibilities of natural indigo in contemporary fashion design.

"It is based on research into traditional East Asian dyeing techniques and their experimental reinterpretation through an original design process.

"The project explores different methods of applying and manipulating indigo on the textile surface, including spraying the pigment through lace as an alternative to traditional wax resist.

"The resulting organic and irregular patterns contrast with precisely constructed silhouettes. The nine-look collection explores layering, volume and East Asian aesthetics, while also drawing on the atmosphere and narrative of Memoirs of a Geisha."

Student: Tamara Koperová
Course: Fashion Design
Tutor: Jana Kotikov
Email: tamakoper[at]gmail.com

No Gravity – Space to Space by Zuzana Cholevová

"The necklace and ring set No Gravity explores magnetism as its primary structural and expressive principle. The stone is fixed in space using a hidden magnetic system, creating the impression of defying gravity.

"Repeating circular forms allow the rotation of individual components, support variability in wearing both the ring and the necklace, and emphasise the technical character of the jewellery."

Student: Zuzana Cholevová
Course: Jewellery Design
Tutor: Sabina Psotková
Email: z_cholevova[at]utb.cz

ModificAI by Štěpán Dlabaja

"ModificAI is a long-term, continuously evolving experimental design research project developed at the Industrial Design Studio of Tomas Bata University in Zlín.

"It explores how generative artificial intelligence can transform the way products are imagined, developed and perceived.

"Through successive iterations, the project investigates the relationship between human creativity and AI across image, video, 3D, physical prototyping and real-time interaction.

"Rather than treating AI merely as a production tool, ModificAI examines its role as a creative partner capable of challenging established design identities, generating unexpected forms, and opening new approaches to the design process."

Student: Štěpán Dlabaja
Course: Industrial Design
Tutor: Jakub Hrdina
Email: sdlabaja[at]utb.cz

Lounge Chair by Aleš Urbančík

"A design defined by a single repeated profile that gradually resolves into a functional seating form. The chair is based on the ergonomics of a relaxed sitting position, featuring a low, wide seat with support extending beneath the knees for lasting comfort.

"A single upholstered cushion enhances this comfort while maintaining a strong focus on structure, rhythm and repetition.

"The chair is constructed from CNC-bent steel profiles, creating a precise and consistent repetitive frame. The fully upholstered cushion uses high-resilience foam, providing soft, supportive and durable comfort while contrasting with the exposed steel structure."

Student: Aleš Urbančík
Course: Product Design
Tutor: Vladimír Kovařík
Email: a_urbancik[at]utb.cz

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Tomas Bata University in Zlín. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Ergonomic lounge chair among projects from Tomas Bata University in Zlín appeared first on Dezeen.