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Alissa Knopp
Industrial Design BA (Hons)

Zurich University of the Arts

Graduates: 2025

Specialisms: Industrial Design / Design Research / Design for Social Good

My location: Zurich, Switzerland

alissa-knopp ArtsThread Profile
Zurich University of the Arts

Alissa Knopp

alissa-knopp ArtsThread Profile

First Name: Alissa

Last Name: Knopp

University / College: Zurich University of the Arts

Course / Program: Industrial Design BA (Hons)

Graduates: 2025

Specialisms: Industrial Design / Design Research / Design for Social Good

My Location: Zurich, Switzerland

About

Alissa Knopp (b. 2001) discovered her passion for design through a preparatory program at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) after completing her high school diploma (Matura). After an internship in interior design, she pursued Industrial Design at ZHdK, exploring her fascination with colors, materials, and textures further through a Textile Design program at Aalto University in Helsinki. During her studies, she collaborated in an interdisciplinary team to create the wayfinding system for ZHdK’s annual diploma exhibitions and gained hands-on experience as an industrial design intern at estragon design. Alissa’s design approach is research-driven, analytical, and empathetic, with a strong focus on social issues and inclusive design — especially in areas where questions are overlooked, underestimated, or invisible. Her Bachelor thesis was honored with the Sponsorship Award Design 2025 of ZHdK, recognizing this investigative and empathetic approach.
a scent-based memory tool supporting people with dementia
Objects filled with personalized, meaningful scents.
The objects invite playful interaction with familiar scents.
Fire, forest floor, fresh grass: Memoscent turns personal scent memories into a custom set.
The smell of freshly cut grass takes Hans straight back to his childhood.
People with dementia can explore and engage with the scent objects on their own.
Scent is released in gentle pulses only when interacting with the objects.
A journal for relatives or caregivers to document shared scent memories.
Schema illustrating the Memoscent experience and how it is used.
Research: Categorizing the origins of scent memories.
Co-Creation Workshop at dementia care center, exploring scents through visual and tactile design.
Development journey: From foam prototypes to CAD and 3D-printed models, shaping the final design.
fabrication process

Memoscent

Specialisms:

Design for Social Good Design Research Industrial Design

Nothing evokes memories like a familiar scent. Memoscent uses biographically meaningful scents to support people with dementia, easing the transition into care while fostering trust, comfort, and connection. Each kit includes a personalized scent biography, curated scent samples, a journal, and tactile objects that release scent through interaction. Developed with the dementia care center Sonnweid via co-creation and field research, the project turns familiar everyday smells into sensory tools that awaken memories, reinforce identity, and reconnect individuals with themselves and their loved ones.

Competitions
Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2025

Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2025