#0 Experimentation and innovation

People relate with their home or work environment as dynamically as possible. They experience this environment no longer as a fixed and unchangeable set of elements and objects, but as pieces belonging to a jigsaw puzzle which we can each assemble in a different way. Thus, objects become the mediators of a unique experience between the user and hi...

I remember the first designs we used to prepare at Central Saint Martins College, when the briefs (author's note: design instructions) consisted of threefour words randomly picked by our tutors. We would start working in small groups, not knowing each other: at that stage it was impossible to have any prejudices or dislikes. For the same reason, th...

The verb "to experiment" literally means trying out something or oneself by directly experiencing something that is new or unknown. It implicitly means running some sort of risk. In the case of a consolidated or "mature" brand, such as the one I have been managing and representing for years, experimentation still holds this intrinsic notion of risk...

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN ARTIST LIKE YOURSELF AND THE OUTSIDE WORLD, EVERYDAY LIFE AND THE HISTORY OF SIMPLE THINGS? The pattern of simple things is the same for everyone, I believe: it means doing things, feeling active, exploring nearby and far away places, coming to learn about the things that surround you, travelling to experience p...

THE PROJECT DESCRIBED BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF COMPLETE EXPERIMENTATION: FROM THE DESIGNING STAGE TO THE ACTUAL USE. IT IS A BAR DESIGNED BY THREE OF ITS FUTURE USERS, STUDENTS AT THE HFG IN KARLSRUHE. Werner Aisslinger, designer from Berlin and professor at the HfG in Karlsruhe, organized a design contest among college students. Three young designe...

An occasion to meet, to share a moment together, to deepen a friendship. Words expressed having a cup of coffee or a coffee-based cocktail... experimenting. Ingredients 30 cc 1 illy espresso with little sugar 15 cc Cognac (or Brandy) 15 cc Cordial Campari 10 cc fresh cream 7-8 ice cubes Equipment Mixing glass, strainer, fresh cream sh...

WHAT IS "DESIGN TIME"? My "design time" has changed a lot over the years. When I was young, in Japan, I attended a rationalist school. Designs were dealt with in a very rigorous manner and preceded by a host of preliminary studies to prove that they were logical and functional. When I moved to Italy in 1939, I discovered a more informal and free...

In Coppola's Apocalypse Now, when searching the jungle for the maverick commander Kurts, the man sent to hunt him down describes a brilliant mission Kurtz had led, "He just thought it up and did it. They were going to get him framed to the floorboards for that one until the press got hold it and promoted him to Colonel." The spirit of creative b...

It was Claudio Magris, the famous writer from Trieste and author of "Danubio" and "Microcosmi", who put illycaffè in contact with Inge Feltrinelli herself. The dynamic president of the homonymous publishing group leader in Italy in the book marketing sector through its Librerie Feltrinelli chain stores wanted illy espressos to be served at the bar...

Arte e Fiera 2002 in Bologna, the most important Italian event concerning contemporary art, is an appointment not to be missed by collectors, artists, critics and art lovers tout court. From this recently closed scenario stems the spirit of ImpresArte which, on the occasion of its 2002 edition, produced a book entitled "Collezionare Arte- Un'idea ...