Michael Ge
Index

Design research · Milan · June 2024

Milan Design Studio Visits

In June 2024 I spent time in Milan visiting seven design studios and institutions, from Frog and Design Group Italia to Mario Trimarchi's studio and the Fondazione Achille Castiglioni. I wanted to see how professional designers actually work: how they research, sketch, build prototypes and talk about their projects. These are the slides I made after each visit, with notes on what stood out to me.

No.StudioDateSlides
01Triennale Milano23 June 202405
02Fondazione Achille Castiglioni25 June 202404
03Mario Trimarchi Design23 June 202404
04Parco StudioJune 202404
05ATTOJune 202404
06FrogJune 202404
07Design Group ItaliaJune 202402
01

Triennale Milano

23 June 2024 · 5 slides
  1. Research slide introducing Triennale Milano (Day 2, 23 June 2024): a paragraph of notes above four photos of the museum building and galleries.

    Fig. 1.1 · Overview

  2. Research slide on the Italy Design Exhibition at Triennale Milano: photos of furniture, objects and a car on display beside a text panel.

    Fig. 1.2 · Italy Design Exhibition at Triennale Milano

  3. Research slide on the exhibition “Sono Un Drago”: a text panel beside photos of colorful sculptural objects.

    Fig. 1.3 · Sono Un Drago

  4. Research slide on Ettore Sottsass: a portrait photo and exhibition views beside a text panel.

    Fig. 1.4 · Ettore Sottsass

  5. Research slide on Gae Aulenti: a text panel beside a portrait photo and exhibition views.

    Fig. 1.5 · Gae Aulenti

02

Fondazione Achille Castiglioni

25 June 2024 · 4 slides
  1. Research slide introducing Fondazione Achille Castiglioni (Day 4, 25 June 2024): notes above photos of the studio, its shelves of objects and a group visit.

    Fig. 2.1 · Overview

  2. Research slide on the Arco lamp: sketches and photos of the arching floor lamp beside a text panel.

    Fig. 2.2 · Iconic Item: Arco Lamp

  3. Research slide on Castiglioni lamp designs: a text panel beside photos of lamps in the studio.

    Fig. 2.3 · Lamp Design

  4. Research slide on the stories behind Achille Castiglioni’s designs: a grid of photos of objects and prototypes beside a text panel.

    Fig. 2.4 · The Stories Behind Achille Castiglioni’s Designs

03

Mario Trimarchi Design

23 June 2024 · 4 slides
  1. Research slide introducing Mario Trimarchi Design (Day 2, 23 June 2024): notes above photos of the designer, sketches and objects.

    Fig. 3.1 · Overview

  2. Research slide on the Ossidiana coffee maker for Alessi: photos and sketches of the faceted metal coffee maker beside a text panel.

    Fig. 3.2 · Ossidiana, Coffee Maker for Alessi

  3. Research slide on “Il Tempo della Festa (Holiday Time)”: a text panel beside photos of folded copper and paper objects.

    Fig. 3.3 · Il Tempo della Festa (Holiday Time)

  4. Research slide on the Alessi fruit bowl: photos of a folded metal bowl holding grapes beside a text panel.

    Fig. 3.4 · Iconic Item: Alessi Fruit Bowl

04

Parco Studio

June 2024 · 4 slides
  1. Research slide introducing Parco Studio (June 2024): notes above a row of photos of the studio and its poster work.

    Fig. 4.1 · Overview

  2. Research slide on exhibition materials for Switzerland and Italy: colorful posters and printed matter for “Testa o Croce” beside a text panel.

    Fig. 4.2 · Exhibition Materials: Switzerland and Italy

  3. Research slide on branding for AVA, Academy of Visual Arts Frankfurt: a text panel beside bright green and black printed materials.

    Fig. 4.3 · AVA – Academy of Visual Arts Frankfurt

  4. Research slide on Milano Arch Week: photos of large pink and white “WALK TALK” banners on buildings beside a text panel.

    Fig. 4.4 · Milano Arch Week

05

ATTO

June 2024 · 4 slides
  1. Research slide introducing ATTO (June 2024): notes above three screenshots of the studio’s website.

    Fig. 5.1 · Overview

  2. Research slide on the JOV branding redesign: photos of business cards, a laptop and stationery with the JOV logo beside a text panel.

    Fig. 5.2 · JOV Branding Redesign

  3. Research slide on the Day2Grow brand identity: a text panel beside blue and yellow brand materials and a portrait.

    Fig. 5.3 · Day2Grow Brand Identity

  4. Research slide on TOOY lighting design: photos of lamps in interiors beside a text panel.

    Fig. 5.4 · TOOY Lighting | Design

06

Frog

June 2024 · 4 slides
  1. Research slide introducing Frog (June 2024): notes above screenshots of the studio’s website and a photo of the artist listening to a presentation at the studio.

    Fig. 6.1 · Overview

  2. Research slide on Vyoh: a photo of a textured wall panel and screens of an app beside a text panel.

    Fig. 6.2 · Vyoh

  3. Research slide on a Xiaomi wall-mounted washing machine: product photos and a control display beside a text panel.

    Fig. 6.3 · Xiaomi Wall Washing Machine

  4. Research slide on “From the Himalayas”: photos of hikers, collected waste and a recycled shoe beside a text panel.

    Fig. 6.4 · From the Himalayas

07

Design Group Italia

June 2024 · 2 slides
  1. Research slide introducing Design Group Italia (June 2024): notes above screenshots of the studio’s website and projects.

    Fig. 7.1 · Overview

  2. Research slide on two Design Group Italia projects: a medical interface for Fresenius and brand design for Chicco’s weaning range.

    Fig. 7.2 · Digital Design: Fresenius / Brand Design: Chicco