By Jonathon Anderson
Editor’s Note:
Jonathan is one of five furniture design graduate students from SCAD who are participating in the first-ever study abroad program between Italy and the United States, sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission and the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, April 22-May 15. He will be sharing his experience with us each week he is there. A sample of his work is shown below.
The opening of the 2009 Milano Furniture Fair and Fuori Salone was marked by the fresh aroma of cappuccino, streets flooded with top designers and opening events that showcased manufacturers and the newest releases of this year’s top furniture companies.
From April 21 to the 27, Milan, Italy is transformed into the premier playground for designers to gather and showcase the best furniture designs in the world. I have received the honor to submerse myself in this year’s fair and Milan’s design culture for one month courtesy of the Italian government and the Istituto del Commercio Estero.
During my time in Milan I will not only be attending the fair, but also studying at the Politecnico di Milano, the largest technical university in Italy, and traveling outside Milan to showrooms to speak directly with designers.
My Fuori Salone journey begins each morning with a short subway ride each morning into the city center. It has become a routine start to a new day of experiences in design.
The furniture fair is the largest gathering of experimental and innovative furniture designs in the world, so it is hard to choose which events and showrooms to attend each day. As a design student, I absorb the energy around me and take in those which parallel my design ideology.
Three days at the fair has shown me that the innovation and commitment to design does not stop because of an economic recession. The life of a furniture designer centers around annual events like Fuori Salone and keeping a competitive edge above the rest. The week-long fair is far too large to take in its entirety for anyone, let alone a student visiting for the first time.
While at the openings and walking around during the day, it is surreal bumping shoulders or having a conversation with the top designers in the world. Every designer is proud of the year’s work and it pays off in the form of appreciation from the attendees.
The showrooms are a designer’s vision highlighting the new releases. Each of Fuori Salone’s exhibits and showrooms make a Macy’s window display look amateur.
The innovation, experimentation and high level of design that goes into every space has made me realize that there is no time to rest as a designer.
I have enjoyed the fast pace of a city that never stops designing. The Milan culture is one that idolizes good design and will accept nothing less.
Design knowledge in Milan is second to none, stemming from the rich history of design within the city. Design is a way of life for the population of Milan.