Design in Context: Milan – Page 2

Carla Garcia Leija – Week 4 | Ciao Milano!

Our last week in Milano was incredibly special, and felt like me finally beginning to get into the rhythm of things. Analyzing, making connections, finding patterns… the most fun a girl could have in my opinion.

Triennale
I was beyond excited for Triennale, especially after seeing Biennale! The exhibits and info were all put together so well. I especially loved the data visualizations. Data is beautiful – it can and should exist in forms other than dots and lines and bars! Don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but I think I liked Biennale more! I think it just had more info that was more closely tied to my work in microclimate, designing livable worlds, placemaking, and damage mitigation efforts.

MUDEC
Having just spoken to Christiano Bottino, our visit to MUDEC was put into a lot more context, and it was incredibly impressive to see how much thought went into everything. I loved looking at all the iconography and branding, it was like a scavenger hunt to find everything.

Armani Silos
I’m not super into fashion, but the Armani Silos were stunning. I think the entire exhibition embodies luxury with its use of sound and scent and sight, but through this, it also kind of crafted this experience that makes it feel like you’re in on a well kept secret. They have a rich legacy which is incredibly important and you are important for being here watching it. you are part of it all.

Alessi + Omegna
ALESSI MY BELOVED-EST!!!! It was so fun to hear about their design process, evaluation framework, and “failed” projects! I got so many good quotes from Gloria:

A good designer must be able to go to the imaginary world, even though it doesn’t exist yet, see the potential and possibilities, and bring them down with an idea.

The advantage of flopping is you know where the borderline is.

Who is a good designer? A good poet. They should have this delicate attitude, this lightness in envisioning the future. Bringing in art and poetry in his work without forgetting the functionality.

Omegna was so so beautiful. It made me cry. The world is beautiful, and because we are part of it, we are too <3

Campari
These folks do more than branding, they curated a lifestyle, a culture, a social phenomenon. They cared beyond what their audience drank, they cared about the media they consumed, the images they associated with, the identities they chose to align themselves with and share with the greater community. That was insanity in the best way possible.

Week 4 in Review Siena Burke

This week was the busiest week yet! Some of my favorite activities were going to the Biennale and seeing both heart shattering and inspiring pieces. Something I particularly enjoyed was the exhibit on nuclear energy and how it can be used to create sustainable living solutions. The design work on the actual exhibit made it easy to understand for someone with no knowledge of nuclear energy, and the design of the actual project itself was something that I found very unique. That was an exhibit that inspired me despite many pieces highlighting the negative impacts of human life on our planet. I also really enjoyed the concept of the AI generated interview to display gender disparities in the workplace. Something else that we did that I loved was the Mudec museum, where we saw exhibits designed by Christino who we previously met! I really enjoyed a particular piece that represented the cycle of life and human relationship with the earth. Finally, one of my favorite things we did this trip, visiting the Armani Silas which presented pieces previously in season. This was something that hit it out of the park for me in all aspects. The design of the dresses were all unique in their own way, in color and in texture. The museum itself was engaging through the music, lighting and color. The way the exhibit was set up made the visitors feel as though each piece was a glowing trophy, demanding attention. The music relaxed my senses, allowing me to focus only on each piece.

Samantha de Lemos~One Final Glimpse

I am sad to say this is the last week of blog posts as it was our last week on this study abroad. It was spent in the most impactful way with our tour of the Triennale in Milan and a visit to Omegna for the Alessi tour. When I look back on this past week, I find that I learned the most about the world in the visits we did and the way design can impact people through so many paths and visualizations.

The staircase of the Trienniale stands out to me as one of the most gut wrenching and daunting data visualizations I have ever seen. It was relevant, raw, and simple within its intricacies. The red ribbon falling from the ceiling representing the lives lost in war was moving and overwhelming all at once. In that moment I was given perspective to just how many people are affected by current events and I saw how everyone stopped to stare. This spoke volumes to the climate of the times and also to this work and how simple, yet impactful this design was.

Omegna was simply beautiful and it was so interesting seeing the inner tinkering of a powerhouse design company. The Alessi factory was bustling and showed the prototypes that led to the creation of household items we know and love today. It was interesting to take the time to use their trials and market items to tweak and improve them upon our wishes and definitely got me and my cohort to think outside the box and let our creative minds run. Omegna was a beautiful lake that I think is arguably more beautiful than Lake Como, and we had a wonderful visit.

I quite enjoyed the final visit of our study abroad with Campari as the graphics were stunning and the tour guide was knowledgeable and kind. It is interesting to see how everyday items can be marketed into any setting. The guide showed an example of Campari getting involved in political and global issues unrelated to the product that both allowed the name to be put out for recognition and to support causes the company felt passionate about. It is cool to see the ways in which companies inner workings translate to the world around us in what we recognize, connect and how we perceive it.

I had the most amazing experience this week and I loved diving into the creative side of my brain. I learned about history, many hidden and intricate details, and most importantly to look for the deeper meaning because as design has taught me, everything was intentional and has meaning and a purpose.

Week Three Blog: Alessi’s Thought-Provoking Approach to Design

Our last week in the program felt very sentimental yet surreal. Visiting Alessi in Omegna was one of my favorite things we did the whole trip (I have a lot of favorites) because it felt like the best last place to go. It culminated all of what we’ve learned from the program including history of the design greats/masters, objects and people we’ve heard and seen throughout, and a beautiful landscape backdrop that provoked reflection. After our lunch overlooking the water, I sat for a bit by the lake and was just absolutely amazed and filled with gratitude that I got to experience the past three weeks.

I also had fun reimagining an Alessi product and I learned so much from the presentation/conversation we had about their products, their brand, and Italian design culture. It was so cool to hear the two women talk about how Alessi has been involved in cultural moments like movies, but also the intricacies that go into each project from concept to creation on both the technical side and the marketing side. I also didn’t know that they worked with so many designers from Italy and globally. Understanding that they prioritize making usable art many people can afford was so cool to me. Both women that shared with us were very passionate about what they do and brought so much excitement when talking about their work and that was inspiring. I am so grateful they took time out of their day to share so much knowledge with us.

Seeing that Alessi had specific values that made up their definition of successful design made me want to think about what my formula for good design would be as a growing designer. For now, I’ll keep pondering on that.

Water that used to power operations at Alessi Factory

Philippe Starck proving that anyone can create anything

Display design inspiration from Alessi Factory Store

Week Two Blog: The Beauty Collaboration Creates

As we’ve been going to different studio’s, foundations, buildings, and museums, a throughline I keep seeing noticing is the beauty of collaboration. It seems like every designer in Italy knows each other and has worked together. I’m fascinated by how these relationships are built and if this is just a past thing or if it is still something that is present today. My generation feels very individualistic a lot of times and collaboration seems a bit foreign, especially in the creative industry. Everyone seems like they are in their own silos when they are creating or maybe that is just my perspective. Yet, Italian design teaches us that to create something meaningful we have to create together. Whether it’s Olivetti and Carlo Scarpa or Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, I’ve learned that collaboration is vital to creation.

Images are from Fondazione di Vico Magristretti during our visit

Final Blog Post Audrey Kirwin

I didn’t expect the Campari Museum in Milan to leave such an impression on me but it really did. Tucked away in Sesto San Giovanni in the old Campari factory it felt more like stepping into a living piece of design history. What struck me most was how effortlessly it blended art branding and identity into something that felt cohesive and ahead of its time.

Seeing original works by artists like Fortunato Depero up close was honestly kind of surreal. His bold Futurist style still feels fresh and it made me realize how much of Campari’s identity was shaped by real artistic collaboration not just marketing. There were also pieces by Leonetto Cappiello Bruno Munari and Ugo Mochi and so many beautifully designed posters bottles and films that made it clear this was not just about selling a drink it was about creating a whole visual world.

It made me think differently about branding not as a tool to push a product but as a way to tell a story and build something lasting. I left feeling inspired not just by the art but by the intention behind it. Campari did not just make a name it made a vision and stayed true to it.

In Review: Week 4 Audrey Kirwin

Audrey Kirwin

Professor Kate Catteral

Design in Context

28 May 2025

Final Reflection

Traveling to Milan with my class was an experience that deeply changed how I see design and how I understand myself as a creative person. Each place we visited told its own story and added a new layer to the way I think about space, beauty, and meaning. Even though we were traveling as a group, I found moments in every visit to slow down, observe, and connect with the city in my own way.

The Duomo was the first moment that really struck me. I had seen photos before, but standing in front of it made me feel something entirely different. The scale was massive, but what caught me more were the small details. Walking through the cathedral and eventually climbing to the roof gave me this quiet sense of awe. I realized that great design is not just about how something looks. It is about how it makes you feel when you stand in its presence.

Spazio Rossana Orlandi flipped that idea on its head. It was strange and chaotic in the best way. Everywhere I looked, something unusual caught my eye. It was full of bold ideas that did not follow any rules. That space made me rethink what design can be. It does not always need to be beautiful in a traditional sense. Sometimes it is about the unexpected. Being there reminded me that creativity comes from taking risks and not being afraid of getting it wrong.

Villa Necchi Campiglio was completely different. Everything about it was calm and intentional. The rooms were designed with elegance and care, and nothing felt out of place. I was drawn to how quiet the beauty was. It did not demand attention, but it held it anyway. The experience helped me see how powerful subtlety can be in design. It taught me that restraint can sometimes create a stronger emotional response than extravagance.

The Brion Cemetery by Carlo Scarpa was one of the most moving places we visited. It was not just a space. It was a story told through stone, water, and light. Every part of it felt thoughtful. It made me think about how architecture can be a form of poetry. Even though I was there with classmates, the design created this feeling of personal reflection. It was a space that invited you to slow down and just exist within it.

Ex Macello was raw and filled with potential. It had an industrial edge and felt unfinished, but that was what made it exciting. It showed how a place can be repurposed and brought back to life without erasing its past. That idea stayed with me. It reminded me that design does not always start from scratch. Sometimes the most powerful work comes from transformation.

Every one of these places helped shape how I think about design now. They taught me to look closer, ask better questions, and notice what often goes unseen. Traveling through Milan gave me the chance to grow as a designer and also as a person. I left feeling more confident in my own perspective and more open to the possibilities that design can offer.

In Review: Ximena Ochoa

I know I’m not the only one who will say this, but these past few weeks here in Milan truly have been nothing short of transformational. I didn’t have too much of an idea about what to expect but now having experienced it for myself, I can truly attest to the fact that Milan (and Italy in general) is a design capital, where even the smallest details are taken into account; it was the one of the very first things I noticed that was different from back home: the high regard for aesthetics and art and design as a whole, where it truly is considered an essential part of society and day-to-day to life. I feel that this was a concept that was summed up rather well by Francesca, curator at the Alessi Museum and our guide during our visit–how important it is to give people the ability to engage with a piece of art even in their everyday life. I feel that here design and the work that designers do as a whole is taken into so much of a higher regard and the importance of the work we do is understood on such a deeper level than back home, it was a really refreshing perspective on my identity as a designer that I feel I needed to hear as I prepare to enter my capstone year and enter the industry and it felt really reassuring to realize once again of the power and influence that design has, even when I lose sight of that.

Even for someone like me who has grown up with and regularly engages with two cultures (being Mexican-American), and worked designing for a cultural institution aligning with my cultural identity as my first internship and professional experience in the design industry, I thought I already had a good understanding of how design and culture intersect to create unique items and experiences. But as we learned more about how Italian and Milanese culture worked their way from everything into products like furniture and home and kitchen items, architecture, and graphics and branding, I realized I only had a piece of the picture. Culture influences everything we do, forever serving as a source of inspiration and point of reference to us no matter where we go, and here in Italy I feel that I observed firsthand how influential it is in that I found pieces of it in even the most unexpected places. Hearing about the inspirations behind the work of designers like Achille Castiglioni from his daughter Giovanna during our visit to his studio, the work of Vico Magistretti during our visit to his studio as well, the beginnings of Kartell and their role in the world of Italian product design, the history behind Alfa Romeo’s car designs at the Alfa Romeo Museum, the curatorial eye of Rossana Orlandi’s gallery, and especially through seeing the journey that designs and products go through from ideation to production during our visit to the Alessi Museum, I began to notice those ways, big and small, that Italian culture presented itself in the work and processes of the designers and firms here, and further continued to disperse its influence, even far outside of Italy. But most importantly, I realized that an essential part of me gaining this view of Italian design was the fact that I had the view of an outsider: every part of it was new to me, so these observations stood out to me more. This is something I now even remember our professor Kate emphasizing we learn to do as early as my Objects and Spaces class with her that I took in Spring 2024: that by having the view of an outsider and seeing an object or thing as if we are viewing it for the very first time (or like a tourist, even) we are able to see what stands out the most and gain an entirely new perspective on it. Now having been away from home the longest I’ve ever been in my life, I feel that I’ll have that flipped experience of an outsider in Austin just like how I have here in Milan, and that will help me gain a new perspective on everything around me and that I’ve been so used to and even grown up with. It’s a skill that I know I’ll continue to further develop but that I will definitely use during my capstone project as well, and that I know I wouldn’t have been able to gain without Kate’s help and guidance throughout this time as well!

To sum up (and to anyone who is considering participating in this program in the future as well!), this experience truly was transformative to my development as a designer, I truly feel that I will be leaving Milan with the skillset I need to be an attentive, well-informed designer ready to take on any project and with the ability to design for any culture and context now too. Even to those who aren’t designers and are going into other fields, I’ve noticed they’ve gained a newfound appreciation for art and design and have also learned along with us to notice and pick out details in what we’ve studied and observed around us, and gained that ability to see objects through the perspective of outsiders as well. I’ve grown so much not only as a designer but also as an individual, and for that I will forever be indebted to our professor Kate for creating this program and being such an incredible guide to us all every step of the way!

Detail of one of the windows of the Duomo di Milano

Glass objects on display at Rossana Orlandi’s gallery

Staircase at the Novocomum in Como, designed by Giuseppe Terragni

A sign outside the entrance to Achille Castiglioni’s studio

Lamps designed to look like bubbles with an iridescent layer/treatment on the glass, on display at Artemide’s showroom and gallery we visited

Various samples and posters of Kartell’s lab equipment line

Windows through which sunlight comes through thin stone slabs at Memoriale Brion, designed by architect Carlo Scarpa

Week 4: Milano, Omegna, and A Bittersweet Goodbye!

Ciao for the last time! This week was our final full week here in Milan, during which we did a lot of showroom and museum visits to end off our explorations in Italian design here, and ended off the week with our farewell dinner on Friday evening in which we said our final goodbyes to our lovely professor Kate and our wonderful chaperones and staff at IES – Emma, Rami and Alessia, who we will all miss very dearly! It’s been very bittersweet knowing that our time here in Milano is coming to a close, but I’m so incredibly grateful to have this experience, especially ahead of my capstone year, I feel far better prepared for it now and a lot less scared to face it and am so excited to apply the lessons and knowledge I’ve gained here in Milan to my capstone project!

Despite how scared I was coming into the program to be away from home for so long, I didn’t think I’d be sad to leave and I’d actually be looking forward to it, but now as I write this about 2 full days away from my return back home, I obviously am, but I feel like that’s a testament to my growth while here as well, both as an individual and as a designer. I was very nervous the first few days here and worried I’d never get acquainted with my surroundings and to being in a new country, but obviously I was very wrong; it made me realize how strong I am and that if I can successfully make it through this, then surely I can do so much more~

Onto this week’s visits! This week we visited the Triennale, which had some incredible and eye-opening exhibits focusing on art and design, including some data visualizations that I know my design friend back home and a professor of mine would approve of~ I even found an exhibit on traditional Peruvian street art and lettering, it made my Latina heart happy to find the same type of colorful, vibrant work I’d see back home on display in Milan and to read the artist’s synopsis and process in Spanish in a book attached to the display!

Next highlight of this week was our visit to Museo Alessi, which we traveled to the town of Omegna for. Not only is Omegna a beautiful town, but our visit to Alessi was just as wonderful as well, where we got to see their entire archive and collection of product prototypes, sketches, etc. for items they currently have available for purchase but also for items that are no longer sold by them and or even ones that were ready for production but never made it there in the end. We got a very informative presentation from Francesca, their curator, and the opportunity to look through the shelves of their collection to pick out an item we’d redesign for our Alessi (Reconsidered) assignment. It was really fun getting to sketch out the item my partner and I had chosen in real time and to study the different elements of it, as well getting to go through their collection and seeing the variety of materials, colors, textures, and styles of all the products they’d ever produced. It really stuck with me how playful yet functional their designs were, and just how much thought and attention was put into everything they produce as well. After our visit, I had to hold myself back from spending so much at their shop, and we had a lovely lunch followed by a walk alongside the lake with the most beautiful view~

And now for a bit of a sentimental part: As my new friends and I were aboard a bus to Switzerland this Saturday and I looked at our view of the Alps out the window, it hit me that I’d be returning home soon and made me realize how grateful and lucky I was to have had this experience to begin with. As I started college, I never would have thought that I’d ever have the opportunity to study abroad, much less in a program specific to the Design department given our size. Even a few months ago, I worried that I was no longer going to be able to participate in the program, and I never would’ve guessed that in just a few months time I’d not only overcome the challenges I was facing at the time but also be experiencing Europe for the very first time, get to see such beautiful and inspirational works of design and art, all while making new friends for all sorts of fields of study (and enjoying some really amazing food too :) I will be forever grateful for this experience and hold the memories I’ve made here in Milano and these past few weeks very closely to my heart, but also know that this experience wouldn’t have been made possible without so many other people: my roommate and design bestie Grace who pushed me to apply knowing more than I did at the time how good of an experience this would be, our wonderful professor Kate, who trusted and believed in me enough to accept me to participate in this program and who has been incredible source of support and guidance in every class I’ve taken with her during my time here in the design program at UT, as well as my former design professors who have believed in me more than I have in myself at times and made me realize how capable I am, especially in particular Cat, who wrote my recommendation letter for me to participate in this program, I would not be here if it weren’t for you and I will forever be grateful to have had you as a professor! (and also a very special shoutout to the scholarship I received, I cried when I got the email that I had received one :’)

I know this isn’t a total goodbye and that one day I will come back to Milan, I’m so happy to have been able to call it home this past month and been able to explore and get to know such a beautiful city and know it will also always hold a special place in my heart too!

Arrivederci for now Milano, and a presto! Hasta la próxima~

One of 3 mirrors of a collection on display at Cassina’s showroom, before leaving for Milan I had finished a project screenprinting text on mirrors for a class so it was really cool to see a concept similar to mine being sold and displayed here!

Lettering by Peruvian lettering artist Elliot Tupac, who was representing Peru’s first participation in the International Exhibition of Triennale Milano

A cat in the bottom corner of a painting I saw on display at the Triennale, which was too cute to not take a picture :)

Omegna and the view of Lago d’Orta from where we walked back to to take our bus after lunch – it was breathtakingly beautiful, the water was super clear, and although we just had a short time there I know I’ll definitely be returning one day!

Assignment E: In Review (Sophie Leung-Lieu, 2025)

During my experience in this course, I gained a new understanding of the world of design. We explored a myriad of museums, galleries, and studios, each showing me how the field of design can be connected to anything- art, architecture, history, engineering, and more.

Through galleries and studios such as the Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Achille Castiglioni’s Studio, and Villa Neche, I saw unique objects and creations that were designed for function as well as beauty. Each had different qualities that made them special, teaching us something new about their past, present, and future. I learned so much about the creativity and innovation involved with product design and saw beautiful works of art along the way.

Museum and factory visits to Artemide, Campari, Armani, and Alfa Romeo highlighted the extravagance and uniqueness of Italian design. We were very lucky to go on these tours, as being able to experience each brand so closely is something we could never do otherwise. It was fascinating to also see how each big brand was incorporated into the city. For example, we saw Campari lamps hanging in a random cafe at Cadorna and recognized them from the museum.

The Biennale in Venice and the Triennale in Milan were also some of my favorite exhibits, as they were beautiful examples of how design can be a language for the world and the problems we face. It was amazing to see how the artists used sight and sound to create an immersive experience and how no room was the same as the next.

The Bosco Verticale, one of my buildings for the ‘Mapping the City’ assignment, was another one of my favorite buildings we saw this month. After I learned how it was designed to accommodate the plant structures, I decided to create my sketchbook about Milan’s greenery. Even following the project, I noticed how many of Milan’s buildings accommodate growing plants. I had a moment of reflection when comparing these efforts to those of other countries, such as the US. I was impressed with Milan’s dedication to sustainability for the environment.

Throughout my time on this maymester, one of my favorite highlights was learning about the people in our community. My fields of study are not related to design, so experiencing all of these places and hearing perspectives from classmates who truly understand them was truly something that enhanced my learning. From the Mapping the City project to just talking to the people around me, I feel like I have so much more knowledge in the field of design, just from socializing. I have also made wonderful friends and am so grateful to have met Professor Kate.

On top of the educational experiences, studying abroad has been such an amazing way to see more of the world. In our free time, we traveled to Nice, Monaco, Lugano, Como, Venice, and other cities, and I have even more of Europe to see in the next couple of weeks as I make my way through Austria and Germany. Immersing myself in a new country was intimidating but rewarding, as now I can proudly navigate Milan’s public transportation system or even recommend places to go.

To have the privilege to explore a foreign city filled with history, architecture, and design was so eye-opening. I felt challenged to learn to think like a designer, to spot the smaller details and patterns, and make connections between all the places we visited. I am motivated to become more involved with design in the future. This trip has been one of the most meaningful experiences in my life and has taught me so much about the world, its history, and the innovation behind it.

The Bosco Verticale on our city walk

Old Town of Monte Carlo, Monaco

Sketching in Fondazione Vico Magistretti

The Biennale in Venice

One of our weekend trips to Lugano, Switerland