Getting to understand Milan from a non-tourist perspective was what made me fall in love with the city. Coming to this trip I was scared I wouldn’t make the most out of it, but after these past 4 weeks I truly believe this experience has forever changed my whole practice as a designer.
Usually when people visit a new city they go to touristic areas, they learn some of the history, and go to the most attractive places. Although we did begin our journey by exploring iconic places like the Duomo, we got to dig deeper into the history and roots of Milan to understand the role of design in the city. I experienced a place that’s embedded in the design culture, every aspect of Milan from the architecture to a chair outside a coffee shop feels so intentional and connected to the artistic side of the city.
It’s hard to choose which moments during this trip were my favorite, but below there’s some that have impacted me the most.
First, the Duomo on our second day in Milan. I think starting with this was perfect. It was our second day in Milan after a very exhausting flight and coming out of that train station and seeing it right in front of me impacted me so much. I had seen it before in pictures, but seeing it there in front of me left me in a state of awe. It finally hit me that I was in Milan about to start my so long waited study abroad. Every detail, every corner was so beautiful I could not stop staring at it every time I walked by the plaza even on my last day in this city.
Visiting studios and seeing the work that goes behind what is usually displayed to the public was also a very interesting thing to learn about. On May 20 and 21, we went to two of my favorite places in Milan: Fondanzione Achille Castiglioni and Artemide. I learned about the research and time that goes behind each product. Seeing how playful and fun design can be in Castiglioni and at the same time the amount of research and tests it takes to put a new product in the market in Artemide, we’re two perspectives I had never seen in person. They both taught me how essential is every step of the design process. I loved it so much I would love to work developing the first stages of a new product in a factory environment.
The Triennale di Milano was without a doubt the most impactful visit during this trip. Seeing the recent works of designers, the current conversation, and the research behind this big works was life changing. Seeing works like El Tendedero by Monica Mayer made me think of home back in Mexico. It is an exhibition/mural that has been replicated in almost every school by the students as a way to express their concerns, feelings, and calling out sexist behaviors from any person involved in the school, from students to professors. Seeing a part of home that is so common and part of the education culture in a big stage like the Triennale felt so surreal. Other works were equally as impactful but that one was the one that stayed with me the most.
For my last impactful moment of this past month I chose my weekend trip to Barcelona. We visited lots of Gaudi’s work, truly amazing. The Sagrada Familia was a dream seeing it in real life, and although we couldn’t get tickets to go inside, we did get to go inside Casa Batlló. I remember learning about his works and this specific house my first semester of college during an architecture course, but being inside this house felt like being in a new world. Seeing the details, the finishes on the walls, the curved doors and windows, the use of tiles, everything working together towards this new concept of art and architecture was so beautiful. It felt like I was underwater for 2 hours. The tour taught us more about the history of the building, and it ended with an immersive experience that showcased all of Gaudi’s work. It was an amazing way to end my trip here in Europe.
I will forever be grateful for this experience. A year ago the idea of ever existing in another continent felt impossible and now it’s time to go back. I learned so much and I can’t wait to go home and tell my family all about it. This will definitely be the trip I won’t stop talking about for the next years. I’ll make sure everyone gets tired of hearing me talk about how studying abroad changed my whole perspective not just in the design field but in my life in general :)