Dezeen School Shows: a project exploring the potential of algae for the future of food is included in this school show by students at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest (MOME).
Also included are bowls that explore the relationship between metal and glass and jewellery which represents affectionate relationships.
Institution: Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest (MOME)
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutor: Flora Vagi – Head of MA programme, assistant lecturer, Antal Zilahi – programme manager
School statement:
The mission of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) is to provide answers to the pressing challenges of the 21st century with design-based learning, research and applied mastery. We see our mission as serving our communities, spreading design consciousness and contributing to the sophistication of the local and regional economic and cultural ecosystems.
“The Designer-Maker MA at MOME blends design and craftsmanship to prepare you for the rapidly evolving creative industries. The programme focuses on materiality, sustainability and experimentation, offering a hands-on, research-led approach to learning.
“You will work on real-world design challenges, honing both practical and conceptual skills through studio-based projects, workshops and international collaborations. By the end of the program, you will have the skills and confidence to excel in areas such as bespoke design, experimental material development and design innovation. Students of the programme can get a taste of crafts such as jewellery design, ceramic design, as well as glass work.
“MOME has introduced a unique, future-focused approach to addressing the challenges of our environment, society, time, and well-being in a rapidly changing world. Rooted in sustainability and innovation, its MA programmes equip students with the tools and knowledge to design meaningful, future-ready solutions through thematic challenges, hands-on projects and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“These programmes encourage students to explore creative ways to build resilient and inclusive ideas, spaces and objects while redefining the role of design in global transformation. International scholarship opportunities are available to support talented individuals worldwide, inviting them to join Hungary’s leading art and design university.”
The Gerbeaud Legacy Project – MOME x ONYX by Dóra Szilágyi
“The project is a collaboration between the MOME and the Michelin Green Star awarded ONYX Műhely in Budapest. The goal of ONYX Műhely is to present a progressive Hungarian cuisine offering a fusion of art, science and gastronomy.
“Fostering talent is a key area of its operations, providing space to culinary, food science and fine and applied arts projects by young talents.
“The collection involves many student works, one of them is Dóra Szilágyi’s creation, called Cream puff.
“In designing the dessert plate, the designer sought to emphasise the cylindrical shape of the cake further. The small plate functions as a supporting element, complemented by a base inspired by the Paris-Brest pastry, featuring a central hole.
“The porcelain serving dishes draw inspiration from Gerbeaud’s signature cream puff, where the texture and colour of the Tokaji Furmint grape jelly and spiced pear harmonise with the greenish hue of the ash glaze on the ceramic dessert plate.”
Student: Dóra Szilágyi
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutors: Angéla Góg and Edit Kondor
Utopia by Melinda Doktor
“In exploring the future of food, the designer focuses on algae as a superfood and investigates the potential of small-scale cultivation.
“Their vision includes creating an algae biofarm designed for human-scale functionality, seamlessly integrating into both contemporary urban environments and speculative future scenarios.
“They are developing a compact cultivation unit equipped with a toolkit to support the entire life cycle of algae cultivation and consumption.
“Through research and design, they examine processing methods, compatible materials and the overall usability of algae for food purposes, showcasing its versatility through innovative recipes.”
Student: Melinda Doktor
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutors: Edit Kondor, János Polyák and Zsófia Németh
Can you eat all? by Dorottya Vértessy
“In their diploma project, the designer created an absurd group of objects to explore the relationship between individuals with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa and their behaviors around food and eating.
“Through the design of tableware that redefines function, their aim was to understand and present the mental processes and thoughts associated with eating through objects to raise awareness, point out the significance of the problem and encourage people to approach people with these disorders with empathy.”
Student: Dorottya Vértessy
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutors: Edit Kondor, Szilvia Haber, Tamás Berky and Bernadett Palkó-Arndt
The psychology of getting close by Csenge Diriczi
“In their dissertation research, the designer focuses on the development of relationships, particularly the journey between two individuals from initial distance to complete closeness and the psychological factors influencing partner selection habits.
“Their work explores themes such as the human need for space, the progression from perception to intimacy, the stages and classifications of love and the way long-distance relationships redefine togetherness in the digital age.
“Additionally, they examine the role of narrative design, emerging with the evolving concept of art, to understand the meaning of jewellery and its unique ability to express love.”
Student: Csenge Diriczi
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutors: Fanni Csernátony, Anikó Illés and Dóra Rea Kövér
Connections by Sarolt Sógor
Building on their thesis, the designer’s final project delves into manual and tacit experience.
“By pairing materials, they consciously navigate the production process, observing the interplay between implicit knowledge and explicit attention.
“Vessels and bowls were chosen as the forms of expression, reflecting a deep connection to the human hand through function, appearance and etymology.
“Employing metal raising and hand forming techniques, they emphasise the physical and emotional demands of these processes, which serve as tools for meditation and therapy.
“Drawing inspiration from the semantics of words like bowl, vessel, palm, hand, retaining, grasping, generosity and offering, the project resulted in two series of unique, one-of-a-kind collector’s items: one exploring the relationship between metal and glass and the other investigating the interplay between the hand, a shell and a stand-alone object.”
Student: Sarolt Sógor
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutors: Flóra Vági, David Huycke and Bálint Veress
Hairmemory by Judit Jeney
“The designer’s masterwork reimagines the tradition of preserving hair, a practice with deep cultural significance and a long history.
“While photographs have largely replaced tangible keepsakes, many still choose to save a lock of hair as a meaningful memento.
“Through their work, the designer aims to honour this tradition, creating objects that preserve the emotional significance of hair and express human connections and attachments.
“These unique, personalised pieces serve as tangible carriers of cherished memories, offering a contemporary approach to an age-old practice.”
Student: Judit Jeney
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutors: Flóra Vági, Nóra Tengely and Dóra Rea Kövér
The ecology of Lake Balaton – Sensitisation by Hajnal Csillag Gyeviki
“The designer’s masterwork is design tableware that represents a critical approach and presents the current ecological processes in the system of Lake Balaton to make them visible and accessible using data physicalisation methodology.
“The set of objects also draws our attention to the fragility of our wider environment, the biosphere and the importance of transcending our human-centred worldview.”
Student: Hajnal Csillag Gyeviki
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutors: András Mohácsi, Mihály Minkó, Nelli Szabó, Gábor Ébli and Emőke Bodonyi
Mirror Error by Antal Zilahi
“The designer’s masterwork aimed to create a series of brooches that captivate the viewer’s attention and encourage a concentrated focus.
“These objects provide an opportunity for the viewer to explore a single part of their body or environment, fostering a slower, more intimate connection between the object, the individual and their perception.
“Throughout the design process, the designer emphasised challenging notions of perfectionism by presenting unusual reflected imagery, inviting viewers to engage in an internal dialogue about imperfection and the depth of personal observation.
“The reflective surfaces in the jewellery were crafted using alternative glass mirror-making techniques, where intentional flaws in the reflective coating played a central role.”
Student: Antal Zilahi
Course: Designer-Maker MA
Tutors: Flóra Vági, Zoltán Tóth, Barnabás Wölfinger, Sára Török, Anna Sidó and Anna Börcsök
Partnership content
This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest (MOME). Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
