Tuesday, June 7, 2011

‪Andrea Branzi‬ (Video)

Triennale Design Museum, Milano - Tuesday, June 7th









Alan, Michelle, Lindsay

Triennale Design Museum - List of 70 Italian Designers

Triennale Design Museum, Milan - Tuesday June 7th, 2011


At the Triennale Design Museum were panels spread across the area with a countless list of names of reputable Italian Designers. Below is a list of all the names that I have collected, all of whom were and are important figures that have contributed in influencing and shaping the design industry that is it today. With the wide array of products displayed - particularly chairs - differentiating in style in every way, one could only begin to appreciate the richness of Italian design with its long history in innovation throughout time. The use of various and unusual materials, and the styles in which they are depicted have given way for designers to communicate ideas and messages across all levels and forms. 

ACHILLE CASTIGLIONI LAMP HUNT

Museum of Achille Castiglioni (Former Design Office), Milan - Tuesday, June 7th, 2011



On June 7th we visited the design office of Achille Castiglioni, which has now been converted into a sort of museum. The office seems as though it is frozen in time. While there we got to hear a lot of stories about the inspiration for his products, especially his lamps. This was especially great because the lamps seemed to pop up everywhere we went after that.

Design Library (Video)

Design Library, Milan - Tuesday, June 7th, 2011







- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay

B&B (Video)

B&B Italia Showrooms, Milan - Tuesday, June 7th, 2011









- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay

XXII Compasso d'Oro Events


Palazzo delle Esposizioni & La Pelanda, Rome - Monday June 6th 2011

On May 30th we attended two gallery openings celebrating the Compasso d’Oro and Unicita d’Italia. First stop was the Palazzo delle Esposizioni. The display was of products that have won the Compasso d’Oro award over the last 50 years, as well as a look at young designer’s visions for the future of the design in Italy. You can get more info on the exhibition and the museum here: http://english.palazzoesposizioni.it/Mediacenter/FE/CategoriaMedia.aspx?
idc=449&explicit=SI
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Unicita del Design students were also at the event slapping stickers on people and snapping pictures. If they took your picture, you might be able to find it here http://unicitadeldesign.it/ at some point soon!
After a diversion to grab some limon-coco Grattachecce, we arrived at the Macro Testaccio Pelanda (link). The exhibition at this gallery is to showcase the shortlist for the 2011 Compasso d’Oro.

The venue used to be a butchery, but has since been refurbished. It is slightly eerie with the antiquated industrial equipment, but is a perfect example of a transformed space and preservation of local history. I think it’s great contrast to showcase one of Italy’s modern, thriving industries in a place where a more traditional trade was once practiced.
The dinner was extremely fitting for the venue as well, with two enormous roast pigs and prosciutto being sliced up on demand!
This was a great evening to get a glimpse into the Italian design culture, and to get a sneak-peek of our (hopefully) soon-to-be studio home (fully equipped with Bruno Munari quotes)!
Posted by: Laura Palbom & Hyunji Son

B&B Italia Design Approach

B&B Italia is a successful company that is internationally recognized as a leader in contemporary furnishings, with clientele based in various locations around the world. B&B Italia pride itself, by offering the best quality and innovative products to the market, with several acknowledgements for their integration of combining scientific and technological research with those of functional and expressive products.

Moon Sytem sofa designed by Zaha Hadid expresses B&B Italia’s research and experimentation approach to innovate.

On the Street: Window Displays

Welcome to Milan, one of the most fashion forward cities in Europe! Notorious for its stylish stores and brand-name boutiques, Milan is a hot spot for all of the latest trends in the world of fashion and design. The downtown streets wind their way around beautiful old buildings, and the sidewalks are lined with lavish shops that are perfect for anyone looking to do some high-end shopping (or in my case, some high-end window gawking).


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Bershka

While strolling along the streets around the Duomo I immediately noticed the grandeur of the storefronts as I passed them by. The window displays here are comparable to theatrical sets – equipped with elaborate lighting, interesting compositions, distinctive backdrops and moving parts. In observing several different set ups, I found particular consistencies in the employment of bold colours, geometric patterns and contrasting forms. The creative use of levels and 3D elements also made for eye-catching displays, and even some mannequins had been specially designed to complement the merchandise they sported.

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Zara


Although so much attention is being paid to actual products on this trip, the presentation of these products is a design process within itself. The amount of creativity, construction and attention to detail that goes into some display areas is incredible! Storefront designers have to consider several aspects of exhibition such as props, set pieces, backgrounds, and lighting – all of which must correspond with the vision of the product they are promoting. Communication and marketing are vital to the success of a product, and after seeing the window displays here, I realize the importance of proper presentation - especially in a hub of consumerism like Milan.


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Dior


So, next time you’re out and about in any shopping area, take some time to look at how different stores set up their windows and think about how it affects your impression of the products that they advertise. It will be interesting to see the variety of storefront decorations, and spending a little more time outside of the stores might keep a little money in your pocket too!


Thanks,

Laura M.




Visit to Castiglioni Museum

Castiglioni Museum, Milan- Tuesday, June 7, 2011



On June 7th, we stepped into the world of Achille Castiglioni, renowned designer, professor, and creative genius. His office was converted into a museum, and now houses his archive of prototypes, products, and drawings. A knowledgable guide took us through his office telling us stories about Achille and his personal philosophy. We later found out that our guide was in fact his daughter, Giovanna! Everywhere we turned, there were his favourite objects, filled with his personality. They encourage visitors to be ever curious, following the advice he gave his students years ago. We weren't allowed to take pictures, so if you ever travel to Milan, be sure to visit his studio!

Andrea Branzi

Triennale Design Museum, Milano - Tuesday, June 7th



In Milano, we were given the opportunity to meet one of the fathers of the Italian radical design movement. Andrea Branzi, the designer, architect, author and theoretician.

THE PEACOCK IN THE TRIENNALE

Triennale Design Museum - Tuesday, June 7th, 2011


On June 7th we visited the Triennale Design Museum in Milan and saw the exhibit called “Dream Factory”. The exhibit focused on the success of small Italian design companies producing big, iconic pieces. The companies may not be big enough to have a factory, but they produce a lot of ideas.

The Fusion of Function and Play in Castiglioni

Museo Castiglioni, Milano – Tuesday, June 7th

Glimpse inside of Museo Castiglioni
 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/arts/11iht-designside11.html

Achille Castiglioni is mostly known for his ‘form follows function’ design style – using everyday objects that are featured in his new products such as a bike seat or rolling kayak seat on a chair. Not only where these, so to say, ‘crude’ models but they were fairly humorous and playful as well – similar to his personality. 

Triennale Design Museum Visit - My Fave Chair

Triennale Design Museum - Tuesday, June 7th, 2011



Sella Chair by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1957
On June 7th, we visited the Triennalle Design Museum. The exhibit we visited was called "Dream Factories" and was all about the history of contemporary Italian Industrial Design. The most predominant objects were chairs, so Anne, Amanda and myself decided to each talk about our favourite chair shown in the exhibit. My favourite is the Sella Chair by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, designed in 1957 for Zanotta. It is still proudly in Zanotta's collection.

Triennale - My Favourite Chair

Triennale Design Museum, Milan - Tuesday June 7th, 2011


While in Milan, we visited the Triennale Design Museum, which has an exhibition running called “Dream Factories”. The main elements of this exhibition include lighting and furniture from famous Italian Design companies. Although all of the pieces exhibited are important culturally as design icons, they are not all best sellers. The exhibit tries to display which products were successful on the market, and which were simply “flops” – iconic but not actually profitable for the companies involved.

Patricia Urquiola for Moroso

Moroso Showroom, Milan- Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

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Moroso was founded in 1952 as a family business producing sofas, armchairs and home accessories. The daughter of the company, Patrizia Moroso began a new chapter in Italian design during the 80s that set the example for design oriented companies. She envisioned a trend-setting company that would bring new concepts to sitting by collabora
ting with famous designers such as Ron Arad. It was over 10 years ago that she invited Patricia Urquiola to design for Moroso. Together, they have realized over 24 objects during their partnership, creating many products that are now icons of Moroso.


Urquiola's pieces incorporate cultural inspirations taken from around the globe, from colours to production methods. Common to her style are also the touches of femininity added to each of her products, refreshing in the male-dominated industry.


This is her latest collect

ion for Moroso, called Fergana. It is inspired by old handcrafts of Italian women. The embroidery on the upholstery is reminiscent of past fashions re-interpreted in a contemporary way. By playing with the scale and colours of the embroidery, this old form of decoration has been rejuvenated.


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Pictured is a coffee table with inspiration taken from lace doilies. In this design, she is playing not only with scale, but material as well.


Here are some more images of her work.



Lowseat, designed for temporary sitting.

Tropicalia, designed for outdoor use.

Fjord, one of the icons from Moroso's collection.

Keywords: Technology, Handicraft, Detail

ciao,

Michelle, Alan, Lindsay

Moroso, Boffi, and B&B Italia: Comparisons of Marketing Tactics

Moroso, Boffi and B&B Italia Showrooms, Milan - Tuesday, June 7th, 2011


Logos of Moroso, B&B Italia and Boffi (collaboration with Foster)

On June 7th, we visited the showrooms of Moroso, B&B Italia, and Boffi. At each place we visited their fabulous showrooms filled with their distinctive products. What interested me about these visits was hearing the ways in which they each promoted themselves. Each of them have a strong presence in Italy and internationally. This is due to their continuous product innovation, marketing techniques, and collaborations with other companies.

Castiglioni's inventions for his family


Studio Museum Achille Castiglioni, Milan - Tuesday, June 7th




Designing with people in mind

Italian Design Curated by Alberto Alessi

We visited an exhibition at the Triennale Design Museum, in Milan. The exhibition was called Dream Factories.

Italian design piece that are exhibited

Main entrance to the design exhibition