The MuMAPS in Sainte-Croix devotes an exhibition to the designer Richard Authier, from 22 November 2026 to 21 March 2027. It traces his career at Paillard, from 1947 to 1988.
The story
Richard Authier was born in Lausanne in 1925 and died in 2018. Trained as an industrial draughtsman and designer, he worked at Paillard from 1947 to 1988. In the 1970s, he headed design at Hermes Paillard International, in Yverdon-les-Bains. ECAL describes him as a pioneer of industrial design in French-speaking Switzerland.
He designed typewriters, cameras, record players, workstations and exhibition stands. He also created posters, user manuals and packaging. Working freelance from the 1970s, he designed chronographs for Omega and studied razors for Braun. His work was often signed with the company’s name. He received international awards.
The exhibition marks the centenary of his birth. It follows an ECAL research project led from December 2023 to January 2025 by Laurent Soldini, with Sébastien Mettraux and Sophie Wietlisbach. A book came out of it in 2026, “Richard Authier, designer. Une carrière chez Paillard, 1947-1988” (Richard Authier, Designer. A Career at Paillard, 1947-1988), published by ECAL and Triest Verlag, with a foreword by Claude Lichtenstein.
Who organises it
The MuMAPS, the Museum of Mechanical Art and Heritage in Sainte-Croix, organises the exhibition with ECAL, the Lausanne University of Art and Design. The museum brings together three former institutions, the International Centre for Mechanical Art (CIMA), the Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Baud Museum.
What to find
More than forty years of industrial design. Visitors see radios, Thorens record players, Bolex cameras and Hermes typewriters.
Practical information
- Dates, 22 November 2026 to 21 March 2027
- Opening hours, Tuesday to Sunday, 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm
- Venue, MuMAPS, rue de l’Industrie 2, 1450 Sainte-Croix
- Price, self-guided visit 12 francs, reduced rate 10 francs, children from 6 years 6 francs, family 26 francs
- Guided tour, 16 francs, reduced rate 13 francs, children 8 francs, family 36 francs
- Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass
Links
- Official site, MuMAPS
- Event page, Yverdon-les-Bains Région, Richard Authier designer exhibition
- All events across French-speaking Switzerland, Genève Infos Agenda
Sources
- Yverdon-les-Bains Région, Richard Authier designer exhibition, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Guidle, Richard Authier, Designer, accessed on 14 November 2026
- ECAL, Richard Authier. Design and industry in Northern Vaud, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Ex Libris, Richard Authier, designer, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Vaud Promotion, MuMAPS, accessed on 14 November 2026
Let’s share Romandy’s news
We build the news together.
An idea, an opinion, a wish, a detail to add? Tell us!
