Ferdinand Metzler: "Collaboration is important if lots of clever people want to use technology to drive forward a product that works."

When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

I grew up in the countryside and wanted to be a farmer. As a kid, I loved working with animals and machinery. Over the years, my dream job became a carpenter and then a construction manager until I ended up studying mechanical engineering at ETH.

You have obtained both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from ETH. What led you to ETH?

I went to a technical college, an institution of higher technical education in Vorarlberg. So I was already focusing on mechanical engineering. When I left college I wanted to know more and I was bursting with energy. So I applied to various technical universities, like Munich, Vienna, Graz and also Zurich. Thanks to my school leaving certificate, I was accepted by all of them, only ETH Zurich wanted me to sit an exam.

I had to do a lot of preparatory work for the entrance exam. Half way through September I heard that I had passed and lessons started one week later. ETH was the only university with strict entrance requirements. I saw this as a challenge, which I took on board. Because I wasn’t able to arrange anything until I knew whether I'd been accepted, I had to organise a room in Zurich at speed.

Have your ETH degrees helped you get onto the career ladder?

While I was at university, I worked as well to support myself. But I didn't get on the career ladder in a traditional way. In 2015, when I had just finished writing my Bachelor’s dissertation, I founded my company Fision. I’d already started some of the courses for my Master's. I had the idea behind Fision and wanted to set it in motion. The university helped me where they could. This enabled me to develop a huge amount on a personal level.

Looking back, Zurich provides an incredible environment. As an ETH alumnus, it was easy for me to make contact with the academic chairs. For example, we had partnerships with ETH and EPFL. Through Zalando, we are part of the AI centre. Graduating from ETH was hugely useful. The challenge of coming to ETH as an 18-year old certainly paid off for me.

How did you hit on the idea for Fision?

I was mostly inspired by my involvement with ETH juniors. It was all focused on the economics. I learnt a lot there. My exchange semester in Hong Kong was then the real game-changer. There I met a manufacturer, who wanted to sell his clothes directly to customers. But he didn’t know how to go about it. My solution was to measure potential clients. Anyone can use our software on their smartphones to produce a 3D scan of themselves and then a 3D model from this. Measurements can be taken from this for the clothing sector.

There are three areas of use for my software. Firstly, made-to-measure clothing. Secondly, recommendations for sizing, which will reduce the number of returned goods. Currently, 50 percent of shipped items are returned because they are the wrong size. And this is our main focus. Trying clothes on virtually is the third area of use.

This virtual changing room idea is a massive innovation. Ten years ago, we all used to go into changing cubicles, try on clothes in various sizes and then make a decision. Online shopping has brought the high street into our living rooms. We try on the clothes at home and send back anything that doesn't fit. Our idea is an extension of this. How can customers try things on virtually to see what they are going to look like? They get to see the item of clothing on a body of their own size using the dimensions they previously provided. So they can “try on” various sizes and see on screen how loosely or tightly they fit. As well as size, we are also focusing on styling so that the colour or texture, for example, looks right.

You sold your company to Zalando, but you are still the managing director. What motivates you?

There are several things: firstly, you need the right people. My motto is "People is Business", and we have put together a good team. The product has to do more than just fascinate me; it has to act as a positive force too.

Through Zalando, we have around 40 million customers in Europe. Working on this scale, we can have a real impact: we can reduce CO₂ emissions. The clothing industry is lagging behind somewhat when it comes to digital matters. We can set standards and drive forward development. Working with Zalando, we are not just acting from a niche, which makes them our ideal partner. And we’re a good match from a cultural perspective too, we have the same visions.

You’ve only just graduated but you already have a wealth of experience. Do you have any tips for today’s students?

Several actually (he laughs). Do not found any companies while you are still studying. If you want to achieve both, it will consume a lot of your time and energy. Juggling so many balls day and night can become tiresome. Take one step at a time. I was just so driven to pursue my idea. But I wouldn’t recommend others to do the same.

At ETH, you have to solve extremely complex technical problems. The route to simple solutions is often lost. The focus is more on complex problem-solving than the simple option. In my experience, it’s easy to make a problem complex. But it’s hard to find a simple solution to a complex issue. In such cases, it is well worth stepping back and taking a critical look at the situation.

Study a subject you are really interested in. Choose something you are passionate about. It will make things much easier. I’m still passionate about mechanical engineering: I want to build things, understand them and develop them.

My last point relates to a multiple-discipline approach, ETH is certainly doing things right here. All students at ETH speak the same language, which is a huge benefit. Around 80 per cent of our staff come from ETH and we are able to communicate with one another very effectively. And I know what I can use these members of staff for and what I can’t. I also know that ETH engineers from different disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and software, can work together. The rigorous and consistent education provides a vast basis upon which to build. Even while you’re at university, you should see the bigger picture and follow what other people are doing so that you can work with them. Collaboration is important if lots of clever people want to use technology to drive forward a product that works.