wonnd was commissioned to curate the most relevant proposals developed within the ATTRACT EU project, where European deep-tech is applied in innovative solutions for social benefit. We had the mission to communicate to a wider audience the relevance of the European innovation ecosystem and its potential to generate disruptive innovation.
On July 2–3, Brussels hosted the final conference of ATTRACT, a flagship EU-funded initiative dedicated to transforming frontier scientific research into real-world innovation. It looks to bridge the gap between fundamental research, industry, and entrepreneurship, placing a strong emphasis on the European innovation ecosystem and the potential of education for generating future transformation.
One important part of the programme is the ATTRACT Academy. Over 1,300 students from 75 disciplines were invited to develop new concepts inspired by selected cutting-edge technologies emerging from leading European research labs.
That’s where we came in: we were invited by IdeaSquare, the innovation space at CERN, and the ATTRACT project coordinator, to curate, design, and produce an exhibition showcasing some of the most promising projects developed.
Translating innovation to the general public
From nearly 150 projects completed within the ATTRACT Academy, we selected and curated five standout concepts, each one combining original insight, conceptual strength, and societal relevance.
Given the wide range of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) involved, not all concepts share the same level of development. Every prototype holds a story, a process, and a future. Our goal was to respect each project’s identity and conceptual essence while creating a cohesive and compelling exhibition experience, one that could resonate with technical experts and curious visitors alike.
To bring this to life, we assembled a multidisciplinary team: a product designer, architects, exhibition specialists, graphic designers, and producers. Together, we translated the innovative proposals into narratives worth sharing.
Designing for context, creating for conversation
The exhibition was built around modular structures, tailored content, and a visual language flexible enough to adapt to the varied nature of each project. Rather than over-design, we let the ideas speak, curating a space that provoked conversation around what science-led innovation can mean and where it might go.
The need for adaptability guided strategic design decisions: the exhibition had to be transportable, reconfigurable, and able to live on beyond the Brussels event. This shaped our material choices, formats, and visual coherence.
Designing across borders, aligning across teams
Like many other projects we develop, this was truly a cross-border collaboration. The content and exhibition design were developed in Barcelona, the 3D printing was done at CERN in Geneva, production was handled in Italy, and the final installation premiered in Brussels.
Coordinating stakeholders, deadlines, and materials across countries required more than careful logistics. It demanded trust, shared understanding, and the ability to stay flexible without losing focus.
This is exactly the kind of complexity that energises us at wonnd: finding clarity in diverse inputs, building systems that hold differences together, and shaping content that doesn’t just inform but connects.
So our question is, what happens when student-led innovation, international logistics, and fast-moving deadlines collide? You get a design challenge that’s as complex as it is rewarding — and a perfect reflection of how we work at wonnd.
This project is a clear reflection of how we work at wonnd: cross-disciplinary, collaborative, and always focused on translating complexity into clarity. We build teams, design strategies, and create tangible experiences that help ideas reach the audiences that matter.
The Brussels showcase may have been temporary, but the exhibition will soon find a permanent home at IdeaSquare. If you’re visiting CERN, we hope you’ll take a moment to explore the prototypes, processes, and perspectives shaping the future of European innovation.
Let’s keep building what’s next — thoughtfully, creatively, and together.
