In Review:
Industrial design has unfortunately been a discipline that I’ve put into a box before now, thinking of it as boring because it’s the design of random everyday objects. This trip completely transformed that idea for me- the design of everyday objects is such an integral part of shaping our society. The visits within this course taught me about so many facets of design, and I’ll cover 6 of these facets along with the main visit that showcased each one in this review: lighting, sound, shape, material, presentation, and cultural awareness.
Lighting: Pirelli Hangar
The experience of Pirelli Hangar on our very last day of class was transformative! The display about the bombing of Hiroshima relies entirely on light to tell its story- in particular, the walkthrough experience with mirrors relies on both artificial and natural light to guide users through the mirror maze. It showed me how light- or lack thereof- has an undeniable power to transform an audience emotionally and really captivate their attention.
Sound: The Brion Tomb
The tomb we visited in Treviso was one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been, and not just because of the flowing abstract architecture of the space. As I stepped over certain tiles in the tomb, they shifted and created a deep, resonant tone that echoed throughout the space. These sounds mingled with environmental noises of running water and chirping birds, and created an auditory atmosphere that felt grounding and meditative. It was a prime example of architecture built with an end emotion in sight.
Shape: Vico Magistretti
The chairs at the gallery of Vico Magistretti that we visit experimented copiously with shape- ranging from short and wide to lean and tall, and incorporating all sorts of straight edges and curves on their designs. I thought it was interesting to read about the different design intents for each one- some were comfort, others posture, and others aesthetics. The shapes of the chairs also influences how my classmates engaged with them- sinking in with a sigh, perching on the end, or simply studying the chair rather than sitting in it. It was a great experience to sketch the chairs as well and simplify them down to their core shapes.
Material: Artemide
The Artemide lighting design visit was one of my favorite experiences of the trip. Not only did we get to see final design products in the showroom, but we had the amazing opportunity to tour the production factory and see how materials and lamps were tested before being added to the catalog. The extensive testing process behind Artemide’s lamps was a testament to their high quality as well as the company’s innovation in material selection, and it was a wonderful blend of art and science.
Presentation: Castiglioni
The visit to Castiglioni’s studio showed me the importance of personal presentation in addition to design- I don’t think we would have been as fascinated by all of the designs in the studio if they hadn’t been presented so enthusiastically by Giovanna, Castiglioni’s daughter. She constantly made us engage with learning about the functions of each product, as well as making us laugh along the way.
Cultural awareness: The Biennale
One of the things that surprised me in Europe was how often past inequalities are recognized and reflected upon. I think I had some preconceived notions about European countries having an ego about their histories, even when that history involves countless colonizations and unjust acquisition of resources.
At the Biennale in Venice however, especially at Britain’s pavilion, I noticed that most of the exhibits focused on revisiting unjust moments of Britain’s past and reflecting on them. It was a very culturally-aware display that was memorable to me.
Overall, this course gave me many insights into how designers and architects can create impactful products and spaces. I’m so grateful for all the hands on learning that I had the opportunity to do as a part of this class- I’m really going to miss it. I know I can take all of the soft skills and design insights I gained with me throughout the rest of my academic journey and into my professional career, and I hope to return to Milan again sometime in the future!
Arrivederci,
Sandhya