June 2018 – Design in Context: Milan

In reflection

This month in Milan has taught me so much more than just the history of Italy, its design and architecture. It has provoked in me thoughts about my role as a designer both in my work and in the world, the intersection between art and design, and the importance of environments and spaces. Design is a tug-of-war between solving issues and providing delight. It’s so much more complex than art of engineering, black and white – it’s the in between, and takes on so much more more responsibility.

After visiting the studios and firms of great designers, it became even clearer to me the importance of interjecting a personal voice in my work, whether it be personality (Castiglioni, Portaluppi) or a call to action on an issue I think needs exposure (Fabrica, multiple pavilions at the Biennale, and a motif of Broken Nature at the Triennale). The delight that objects I’ve interacted with on this trip and the subtle details within architecture have given me is something I believe to be essential to the human experience. When one takes a step back and reviews the horrid events happening in our world right now, these small interactions/objects seem pointless/frivolous. And technically, on paper, if one was to measure meaning quantitively, they are. Places like the Prada Fondazione and Cimitero Brion, large volumes of space that serve a sole purpose of speaking to the eyes and heart, could be argued as so because they lack an immediate tangible solution to a pressing problem. But they also offer places of inspiration and solace to those who need it, which a lack of can be felt just strongly and is just as valid. They’re essential to create memorable experiences for a collective memory, which can take us where we want to be, as change can only be gradual. In conclusion to this somewhat stream of consciousness, it’s not necessary to be a superhero; at the same time, just talking about theory and changing systemic thought isn’t enough either. To create objects or spaces with meaning, passion and intent, regardless of its practical score, is enough.

Somewhat related to my previous paragraph is the intersection between art and design I saw so frequently in Italian design. Before this trip I had the idea that these two entities were pretty much mutually exclusive. I’ve realized now that this is what sets apart industrial design in Italy and the U.S., at least from history, my own perception, and the rhetoric I’m familiar with. In Italy, there is a playfulness and sense of history that imbues everything, from the architecture of the streets to the objects it produces. I know every country has its merits, but as a testament to this, I think one can look at the streets and spaces in Italy. With my realization of the importance of our environments and spaces that surround us and how it affects us and our work, we can look at the urban planning of Italian cities. As Robert said in his post, Italian cities are older, and were largely planned for pedestrians with a large emphasis on community and public spaces. The cities in the U.S., in contrast, are planned around cars, which I think subliminally affect the way we interact with others and exchange ideas. Even in comparing the parks, one can see a level of attention and care to the details and design of the park that even the most famous public parks in America lack.

The Nordic pavilion at the Biennale, one of the more artistic ones that comment on the current interactions between our built environments and nature

Both images are part of the U.S. Pavilion, which was a more political and informational one. Exposing and tackling many issues relating to citizenship

An outdoor bench taken at Fabrica. Not only was it an interesting form, but imbedded in the seats were quotes from people, asking them “What makes a park?”

The narrow crevices between buildings in Italy served as walkways to get from place to place. People passing through would acknowledge each other, but because of the enclosed space, there was a level of solidarity. It didn’t feel confrontational, as it often does on the open sidewalks here

A picture of progress sketches taken at the Matt Mullican exhibit in the Pirelli Hangar Bicocca. Really appreciated his candidness in his work, true translations of his unique thoughts, which produced honest work that spoke to many

Possibly one of my favorite pictures from Milan, I’ve never seen a man who represented a city so beautifully. He was walking calmly on the street, in his own world, as if one with the city. Can only hope to be the same in whatever city I live in in the future

In Reflection

Studying abroad on this program helped me learn everything I wanted to learn about Italian design in Milan. I was interested in seeing how a city and country that is known for design, and even labelled as a design capital of the world, goes about designing various products, and how those products are displayed.

Bruno Munari. Saw this in someone’s house…

I was surprised how integral design is to Milan. Now that I’m back in the US I’m a bit jealous of how easy it is to access material (I bought so many books). Compared to the US, there is a lot more emphasis in design. I thought this was the most obvious in the amount of space in Milan that was dedicated to creating, teaching, and even selling design. All of the museums we saw and either did or did not go into were spaces dedicated to Italian art and design. The Triennale did the best at explaining design history in Milan, apart from the lectures. Getting to see all of the objects we had been studying and seeing in their creator’s studios in a timeline was actually a bit overwhelming, but helpful… I even found a few objects that we hadn’t gone over but I saw in places we often visited.

Illustration on building construction cover-up. On the Duomo they used shapes from what the previous/finished product would look like.

Other smaller spaces for design to exist were the buildings, which varied from older architecture to new. I loved being able to see how newer architecture is applied to older structures, as well as the preservation of historical places like the Duomo or older Liberty-style buildings.

Even on the buildings were other areas for artists or brands to put their work. Although I’m not sure if this was an intentional space for graffiti and posters. But I liked it.

There is also more focus on making products are intended to last (versus planned obsolescence in the US). My favorite part of the study abroad was the visit to Alessi, a company that designs products with the idea of human design. I liked the anthropomorphic and humorous designs that we got to see inside their museum, and the mobile shelves that they were displayed/stored in. One thing that stood out to me in the Alessi presentation was the company’s message, and how they use shapes and forms based on other objects (like buildings, people, animals) to create a bond between the object and its user. Creating products that last was something they emphasized, and I loved that they create longevity by creating objects with personalities and forms that anyone can recognize and love.

The trip to the gift shop was kind of rushed, and I’m very indecisive, so I only got a small magnet and keychain, but I found more Alessi products in the airport before I left (I thought I was going to miss my flight). While I was trying to decide which coffeemaker to get, I watched kids go up and play with the salt shakers and bottle openers. I liked that I got to see how people would interact with Alessi products on the shelf, and that the kids I saw loved the salt shakers (although I think they thought they were toys) as much as I did. I thought it showed how effective Alessi’s message and playful vibe is, and is something I want to show in my own work.

Design is a large world with many different approaches and applications. In the conferences such as architecture week and broken earth, we saw that contemporary designers are primarily concerned with designing new ways of being; to redesign community relationships and systems-level solutions to systemic problems. On the other hand, designers enjoy the world we live in and produce things which help others, or bring them joy, or elevate their status. While the idea of producing a $75,000 chair doesn’t appeal to me, creating new things, or new experiences, or new ways of interacting with the world is one of the most enjoyable parts of design.

Nobody needs a chair like this. But isn’t it nice to look at?

So what do I want to do? I hoped that focusing my attention on design for 5 weeks would help me decide, but I’m still more torn than ever. On one hand, we need to rethink the world and the ways that communities interact and organize, but I’m still not convinced that design has the capability of being this vehicle for change. On the other hand, the world doesn’t need another chair or iPhone app. So how do I approach my future as a designer? Fortunately it’s a path of discovery and I don’t need to answer this question now.

Just as well, nobody needs a bathroom like this. But it made for a memorable experience — so much so that I snapped a picture to show people.

How can someone who worked willingly with a terrible totalitarian government be so sensitive to the scale of children? This school by Terragni was incredibly humanistic though his other work supported the Mussolini’s fascism.

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Some additional thoughts on design:

Remembering our visit to the Studio FM, our host explained in great detail design decisions. The parameters of the project were X, so we made design decision Y, through and through. What separates design from art is objectiveness — the designer has the ability to allow constraints and context be the primary means through which a thing is created. Design is primary functional and logical. And although we don’t want to admit it, designers still have to make subjective decisions. I believe that in the gaps where there is no design direction, we must turn to design history in order to “fill the gaps” of what should be designed and how it should be designed. This trip, the exposure to very different ideas of architects and designers, is now part of my design toolkit to “fill in the blanks”. I am more able to respond to ambiguity and have a more narrow scope in my design process because I can think to the ideas of Portallupi or Castiglioni (or the architects of the Vitra campus) to help guide my decision making through the design process. This new collection of specialized tools, an understanding of theory and history, is the most valuable lesson from this trip.

Adventures always come with unexpected rewards. When you explore the world, you will be rewarded with unexpected inspiration. Never stop wandering!

Always take the architecture tour! I got to see Zaha Hadid’s first building on a weekend trip to Vitra. On this trip, my curiosity paid off and I got to learn so much more just by having an expert on hand.

Along these lines, I have been exposed to a lot of new designed objects in Italy. Back home, our design history coursework if focused very much on the story of how “modern” design came about, how it’s been defined, and the historical narrative. In Italy, the story of design is in tangent to the dominant history from English Arts and Crafts through the Bauhaus, but it is still a “modern” movement. Italian design if more playful, inventive, and takes liberty in exploring form through a mix of joyfulness and engineering. Never in my life have I been in the workshop of an industrial designer, and visiting Castiglioni’s workshop was one of the more eye-opening experiences. The way he was influenced by everyday objects to create unique object was really fun. He explored the object in the world and synthesized them into something new. The ability to synthesize is, I think, the single most important job of the designer, and Italian designs have more eclectic and interesting ways to synthesize information into design than other “modern” designers.

During this trip, I was able to visit two Tadao Ando buildings. He just might be my new favorite architect. I still don’t understand how something as mundane as form and material can evoke such great feelings.

The adventures still aren’t over. My trip in Milan taught me that curiosity is rewarded with knowledge. I visited Design Mecca after Milan and I’m on my way to more design adventures this next week and a half.

In Reflection

Design in Context: Milan…. where do I even begin? This past month was the most stimulating and exciting month I’ve had in a long time. I’ve learned so much and experienced so many new things that will go on to impact my life.

When I was packing my bag to come here, I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been to Europe before, barely knew any Italian. But as soon as I landed in Milan, a sense of calm overcame me. It felt right like this was home and that I would like it. And that still holds true today.

I’m very grateful to have gotten this opportunity. Back in Austin, it isn’t every day that we go visit studios or even have a lot of evidence of design history and architecture like we see it here.

Being here in Milan has made me realize the magnitude of design. You see it everywhere and you see it in different forms. Through old and new. It made me realize that its bigger than anyone of us. You have to understand your presence within it and be able to guide yourself and voice through it.

One thing that shaped my understanding of my own culture was the interaction between language. It was so surprising to see the level of accommodation the people have here. The fact that you might not even speak good Italian or any at all doesn’t mean much. The locals will try to communicate in English with you because they know it’ll be easier for you. Which is dramatically different than in the US and more apparent given the current political climate.

One non-design that impacted me was the realization of my own carbon footprint. I was intrigued to see that everyone here separates their trash and is environmentally conscious. It makes you think about what you throw away and the amount of it. It’s something I’ll take back with me to Austin.

And now for some highlights in order of our trip:

Duomo di Milano

I probably lost count of the number of times I’ve passed by it. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the intricate details- from the windows to the actual structure of it and the gothic architecture. It’s beautifully crafted and you can’t find a better view of the city than from the top of it.

Captured May 21st, the first day we arrived after our welcome dinner.

2. Fondazione Prada

We visited a lot of museums this month but the Fondazione Prada was one I enjoyed a lot. I’m a huge fan of contemporary art and getting to learn of new artists and seeing their perspectives was inspiring.

3. Milano Arch week

Although I only attended one day, hearing from the speakers about their process and projects is something I’ll take with me into my career. I also got to see Toyo Ito in person which was an amazing experience.

Toyo Ito’s Lecture. Captured May 27, 2018.

4. Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale

The interior was breath-taking with the use of orange and blue (complementary colors). I’ve never really been a fan of cemeteries or have willingly walked into one but there was something beautiful about this one (as weird as that sounds).

5. Alessi

Visiting Alessi was such a treat as I was able to learn more about product design. I was most intrigued by their scale system used to determine whether a certain product is successful/unique enough. It only reiterated what is considered good design.

6. Achille Castiglioni

Our visit to Achille Castiglioni’s studio was my favorite studio visit on our trip. I loved getting to see his designed objects and learning about his process.

7. Paris

Visiting Paris felt like a dream. We were only there for the weekend and it all went by so fast. Ever since I was little, I dreamed of going to Paris so being able to fulfill that dream was pretty great. Paris is a wonderful city and I hope to come back to it one day.

Captured June 10th, 2018 on the subway ride home to our hotel.

8. Artemide

My favorite thing about our trip to Artemide was getting to see their production and process. Being able to see how they test their products and package them gave me insight into the company. The visit only reiterated my growing interest in lighting.

9. Benniale

The Benniale was nothing like I had experienced before. The concept of having various countries put together exhibitions is ingenious. It’s like getting a taste of the country without having to visit it.

Captured June 16th, 2018 at Austria’s exhibit.

10. My shared apartment – Via Ausonio 8

Although it was a tiny apartment – one bathroom and no air conditioning, it was something I looked forward to after our long days. A lot of great memories were made in this apartment and leaving it was a sad one.

Captured June 21st, 2018. The view outside of our living room.

Overall this trip was one for the books. Milan is such a memorizing city and one I will come back to in the future.

reminiscing reflection

From wandering in small towns aimlessly to walking purposely through museum exhibits, I have learned some lessons from the environments that I was put in over the course of a month.

There’s something special about the historical value of all of the design work that we have seen that will influence the way that I will approach future projects.

I didn’t really realize how much the country of Italy has been through until the Mapping the City assignment. It’s kind of crazy how much these people have gone through and how these changes can be seen in simple things like the buildings, layout of the city, languages/dialects, meals, behaviors, etc.

I’ve been in Catania since the program ended and it’s totally different here — this is where granitas came from (and they are SO MUCH BETTER) but also served and eaten differently than in Milan which is interesting because of the geographical and historical barriers. I’ve also learned some of the simple difference between dialects and phrases across the country. It’s just that simple things can differ so much even though this is a relatively small country.

Our travels all over Europe and specifically Northern Italy have surely influenced me and hopefully I can apply some aspects to my work in the future.

The colors that were in Milan were among the most important discoveries on this trip. The faded and unique hues of the buildings have so much character. I will be using the eyedropper tool for sure.

It was also very nice to see objects or concepts that we have learned in classes in real life. Who knew that I would see Charlotte Perriand’s chaise lounge chair in real life? I seriously did and I definitely gawked about it. I also got to see a frank Gehry building in the flesh, so cool!

Getting to broader scope, the most influential trip we took for me was that to Venice. The long trip was really worth all that we got to experience and see.

By far, Fabbrica was my favorite part. It was cool to see a total design space where these people work, research and develop their ideas. It just seemed like an immersive design company that could benefit anyone in the field. I have never seen so many design books in my life until stepping foot into their library and just being able to see them and note down their titles just to reference (or buy) later on was fun.

In addition to that, I enjoyed Carlo Scarpa’s work that we saw. The Brion Cemetery was actually one of my favorite locations that we saw. I liked how there was this calmness to the space and usually cemeteries are eerie but this one was peaceful and welcoming. The influences from Japanese and Mayan architecture and/or symbolism are clear but with a personalized and cohesive twist that gives his work a strong identity. Usually when you think about death, you would want to stay away from it but this space gravitates you to explore more and get closer.

The trip to Studio 13 piqued my interest as well because of all the advice that he gave. If you have fun and enjoy what you’re doing then it’ll be easy to work with others and things will come easier for you. When it came to projects I would always pick colors first and form everything around those simple things. I always was married to an idea with my own personal projects and I had to learn that it is not best to do that. I am happy he actually brought that up because it was something that I struggled with a lot in the past. Plus, his visual work was actually really cool although the purpose was confusing to me.

I think that all of these things that we saw as a group and as individuals have actually helped me understand the world a little bit more visually. You can tell when a designer has done their research and incorporates other cultures in thoughtfully or culturally appropriates wrongfully in their work. I feel like once there is a good balance or understanding of your own power in presentation and formation of your own work it will show to your audience. There were some designers who tried too hard and I ended up disliking their work while others who were thoughtful and simple with their designs I ended up appreciating. I would hope that I could find the right balance or just make work that I am proud of after this trip.

Reflection

I never thought I would ever have the chance to go to Italy, let alone get to study Design there. I had no idea what to expect when I first arrived, but over the five weeks we were there, I kept wanting to learn more and it really began to feel like home.

Before coming on this trip, I was not aware of the strong influence Italian designers had on the field and some of the things we interact with frequently. Until now, I had always associated good design with primarily Scandinavian designers. Taking the tour of Alessi and hearing about their history was a huge turning point for me in terms of recognizing Italian product design.

The designer that I think had the greatest influence on me was Achille Castiglioni and going to his studio to hear about his process was fascinating. The way that he approached design with humor and fun really resonated with me and I hope to convey a similar attitude in my designs. There was not one design of his that I did not think was brilliantly thought through which I find exceptionally impressive. I even purchased one of his spoons and I am so glad I did.

Another trip that really inspired me was going to the Alfa Romeo museum. The level of detail put into each of their cars is impeccable and I believe I share a similar desire for specificities in a total piece of design. I was also very interested in the evolution of their brand and how distinct a lot of their designs were from each other. There was a car that resembled a door wedge and then contrary to that was a very curvy silouhette. These two designs showed the differences between time periods as very few cars now have such a dramatically angular design.

Wedge shape, circa 1970’s

Curvy shape, circa mid 2000’s

Another aspect of Italy I admired was how itso seamlessly juxtaposed the vintage with the modern. For example, the Sforza Castle was built in the 15th Century and is still complete and used daily for educationaluse. At the same time, the economics building at Bocconi University was built in 2008 and displays the modern style of the present. Even though the castle directly contrasts that style, both are kept and celebrated for what they each represent.

Sforza Castle,15th Century

Bocconi University, 2008

Oneof the things I enjoyed the most, however, was the time they took to enjoy the various aspects of their life. Whether it was a full meal or just a coffee, they took their time to completely interact with it. This was especially noticeable at the bars when people would stand with their coffee and chat with the person next to them and then proceed about their day. I found this to be really charming and I hope to try and replicate this on any level here in the US as I think it brings more of a sense of community together.

Rossopomodoro Pizza

Caffe from Bar Luce

REFLECTION

Although I am currently not back in the US, I have had time to think about my experiences in Italy. I went into this trip not knowing what to expect. This was going to be my first time in Europe and my first time taking a design course.

Milan itself is an interesting city. All the women were very fashionable, and the men in navy suits were not limited to the downtown area, but instead throughout the whole city. This is all minus the horrible popped collars that both men and women seem to think is a good idea. I knew going in to the program that Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world but the fashion is definitely… different. The amount of Zaras and H&Ms honestly kind of shocked me, not to mention the addition of some new fast fashion brands to my vocabulary (Bershka and Pull&Bear) . How could a city so forward thinking in design, still be limited to such fast fashion brands? Analyzing this, I realized that the US is not much different. Go to any major city and you’ll see the same stores lining the crowded downtown area. I feel as though these cities that hold the power of being fashion capitals should definitely at least try to be more involved stopping bad practices in the fashion industry. Are we all just high on the buzz of finding a great sale or is the aura of the Duomo so alluring that it blinds us of the realities of cheap/low quality fashion?

It’s also saddening to realize the amount of men in all of these aspects of design. We are not in a world of equals until we can all name at least 5 female architects, artists, clothing designers, furniture designers, etc. Even the Armani Silos exhibit didn’t blow me away. It was a lovely museum, don’t get me wrong! There are some really beautiful designs there, but those were the same silhouettes in each category. It wasn’t anything innovative for me. It made me think- men can have really mediocre work and have museums named after them, whereas women have to work twice as hard to even get their name on the label. The intricate embroidery and beading on those dresses were most likely done by women working for the brand, but where are there names? Why don’t we ever question this? Why is it never discussed? Are their designs really that innovative, or were they just given the means and freedom to create as they pleased and call it a “design masterpiece”?

Needless to say, I had an amazing time in Milan. I am actually glad that we went to the studios that we went to, because that made me realize that there are many issues in design that need to be solved- and this is not talking about problems that that have tangible design solutions like a “spoon for a mayonnaise jar”. I will definitely be visiting Milan again. The city is intoxicating and has that certain air that fuels creativity.

What Brought You Here, this Sale or the History?

A Shot Taken in Venice, Improved by a Pigeon.

I Miss Milano Already :(

Upon arrival, it felt very weird to be home. To me, Milan was home and I just traveled back to Austin which is home… Where exactly is home? My family were very happy to see me, and some drove over from Houston to see me. I was very happy to be back home and see my family. I am now able to depend them like I use to and enjoy my free time for myself. I already miss Milan though. I miss walking every day for miles and seeing the familiar faces around me, waving or smiling at me and saying “ciao”. I miss walking in a coffee shop to get a cappuccino and a croissant and eating them so fast to make it to class on time. I miss getting lost in the tiny streets but ending up somewhere familiar because the city is like an aquarium that you can’t really escape. I miss looking out of my window at night and seeing the streets full of people, music, drinks and food. I miss watching football with strangers at random bars. I miss the aperitivo, the pizza, the pasta and what I miss the most is the gelato. I miss it so much I am ready to go back. I am not sure when will be the next time I will go back, but my roommates and I made a pact, we will meet again in 10 years. Also, Italy reminded me of my original home, Lebanon. The streets, the people, the driving… all of it was similar to my culture. I went to visit Sant Ambrogio church one Sunday afternoon and I saw all the parish gathered in the back, eating together, playing together, just like how it used to be. I also remember walking in busy streets full of shops and it reminded me of the “souk”. I saw old people hanging out with young ones, adults sitting in a coffee shop for hours to talk; I even saw a merchant selling fruits in a stand on the side walk, just like in Lebanon. I was out with an Italian guy, that’s been to Lebanon, one night and he told me, “all the Mediterranean countries have similar cultures, we and the Greeks are considered one, same with the Lebanese and even the Egyptians.” It is very true! I am glad to be back in Austin and I consider myself lucky to gaining the chance to study and live in Italy. I learned about myself a lot since I was on my own for the first time and I cannot wait to travel more in the future. I do miss my mother’s cooking a lot though!

week 4

My final full week in Milan was highlighted with our visit to the Cimitero Brion and the Biennale.

After a long day of traveling and walking, the Cimitero Brion felt almost like a quiet retreat into a place of solace. Although Treviso possessed a quality of stillness that other the other cities I’ve visited lacked, the Cimitero Brion (from the corn fields to the long walkway amidst tall trees) was even more of a withdrawal from worldly occupations. Reading Frampton’s essay on Carlo Scarpa made my visit to the cemetery all the more fascinating – from the mysterious detailing hinting at something more to the Asian-inspired details implying the Asian perspective of death, which is a reverent/celebratory one, rather than a guilt/fear-ridden one traditional in most Western cultures. Also, I found that inside the floating chasms present at each turn/corner/joint, Scarpa has placed a smaller world of sorts locked in its own dimension of time.

The Biennale was more than I expected. Trying to visit all the pavilions in Giardini fried my brain by the end of the day – there were so many issues of all types being addressed, most of them ones that I never thought to think about !!

The exhibit in The Central Pavilion that recreated the best pieces of architecture into smaller versions so as to make the effects more immediately noticeable/tangible/effective was an interesting one, and an approach I thought very suitable for the people in our times: consumed with immediate-information culture and unable to fully appreciate the impact of well-designed architectural spaces.

a recreation of Edificio Girasol or “The Sunflower”

This was an essay found in one of the hidden cabinets of the Netherlands Pavilion:

The rhetoric and contents made me think of it as a modern Futurist Manifesto. It was also interesting to see how the Netherlands’ culture and history of strict, unemotional design has related to their decision on making their pavilion about the information age and the future of our relationship with AI.

This was a still from a video projected in the U.S. Pavilion. An incredibly clear and evocative video defining the reality of inequality inflicted by big corporations and historical injustices. Just as Netherlands’ culture of unemotional design seemed related to their AI-themed pavilion, the U.S. Pavilion dealt much with its relations to other countries, the definition of the word “freespace” amidst current issues of immigration, along with environmental and technological boundaries as well.

-Linda

Reflection

What I learned from this trip was way more than I expected before coming to this program. All the experiences started from the moment when I got off the plane and touch the ground of Italy. Hearing people around me speaking a language that I didn’t recognize at all was both exciting and frightening for me. I feel I not only learned a big deal about Italian architecture and design but also about how different cities in Europe manages their city planning along with their long history and peculiar culture. Considering my East-Asian background, I felt I was more interested in Asain culture and design but not that in the European design. However, after this time in Milan, now I experienced the delicateness of Italian design. We’ve seen how Italians incorporate design deep fully to their daily life from as small as a teaspoon to as big as buildings.

It was nice that we could have the opportunity to visit other cities of Italy like Como, Omegna (Alessi Museum), Treviso and Venice. Smaller cities/towns have a totally different atmosphere than bigger cities like Milan or Venice which was nice and relaxing to encounter this difference after staying in Milan for a while. The visit to Alessi Museum and Artemide was one of the highlights for my trip. I loved how Alessi explained to us their main approaches when they choose their final products to produce: function, sensoriality memory imaginary, communication language, and price. This criteria formula gave me a basic idea about product design process which I’ll probably use it for my future design process. Our visit to both Alessi and Artemide also showed us the production process of their products, especially at Artemide. Their packaging and storage system helped me to think more about the use of space for storage and the security of products during the shipping process.

Being at Milan most of the time made me have even homesick when I was traveling around during the weekends. But weekends were one of the best opportunity to travel and explore other places. I loved the fact that I could visit several places with different architectural buildings such as Milan, Florence, Paris, Venice, etc. I feel Paris was the most impressive city that I’ve visited during the weekends, even we only stayed there for a day and a half. It was the most exhausting trip that I’ve ever taken in my life. We visit the Louvre, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Center of Pompidou, the Foundation Louis Vuitton, the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile and we ended up the day with the visit to the Eiffel Tower. We went from the most iconic monument of Paris, the Arc de Triomphe, to one of the most modern buildings designed by Frank Gehry, the Foundation Louis Vuitton. The whole architectural experience across the city was amazing to observe in person.

My overall experience in Milan was amazing. I love the fact that many objects that we saw in exhibitions or studio spaces are broadly used by the public. That means people love them either for their function or for the meaning behind it. Even I’ve already stayed in Milan for a month, I feel I should live here for an entire year to experience and explore every corner of this city. Wish I could come back in the future! Ciao, Milano.