10 Things we love about Milan Design Week'18 (and they are not about design!)
1. Early Summer
We have never expected mid-April to be this way. People are wandering around Fuorisalone in miniskirts, light shirts, even see-through cotton or lace dress because it was 27°C in the afternoon. Usually, we would be in the leather jackets or warm blazers. Global warming is real. So, the street styles were entirely different from past years.
Summer is coming. Who would not interest in sunbathing during Fuorisalone in Sempione Park next to Triennale Design Museum?
Summer-like Spring at Parco Sempione. Image ©futurecrafter
2. Changes of nodes
Many visitors reported they walked A LOT more than usual (thanks to wearable you have worn or apps on your cellphones) because the best way to explore the works and enjoy the vibes is by foot, not by metro since they are spreading around without "a few main locations" like early years.
This year, every square-kilometer is worth investigating. Brera was expanded and crowded. Ventura Lambrate was "Vexit" to become Ventura Centrale and Ventura Future in Central and Loreto station (see why).
Many people found themselves walk the form University of Milan in Missori, through Audi and COS exhibitions near San Babila, passed Carlo Ratti's works in Piazza Duomo, and arrive in Darsena in Porta Genova - which are steps away to a hotspot Via Tortona.
Or you can have a route from Isola Design District, passed Innovation district in Garibaldi Zone, through Brera and Sempione Park (where girls are in bikini and guys are topless and played soccer, please don't tell me you've missed them), and end up the journey at Triennale Design Museum where hosted many exciting exhibition.
3. Outdoor occurrence
We, and as well as many people, hate queuing since World Expo 2015. Last year, in Fuorisalone of Milan design week, there were the same nightmares. Some impressive works have limited the visitors and required people to stay on the line outside for up to hours, to have only a few minutes (instagrammable) experience. This year, several open installations allowed us to enjoy the works in "public" along with many people, and it was the notably authentic experience.
Fifth Ring at Audi City Lab. Milan Design Week 2018. Image ©futurecrafter
4. More meaning
Simplicity yet meaningful showcases are all around.
It proves that would be the key that drives design's future (not instagrammable products).
Our selection goes for Eni Luce e Gas by Mario Cucinella at Orto Botanico di Brera for INTERNI "House In Motion" showcase. It's a pure, beautiful, and accessible installation that raises awareness about energy consumption while narrating the essence of the brand, becoming a remarkable showcase of the smart home solution by their new partnership with Centrica Hive.
Eni Luce e Gas by Mario Cucinella. Milan Design Week 2018. Image ©futurecrafter
5. Cold treats!
Spritz, prosecco, and gelato are the excellent companions of design scouting under 27°C, would you refuse?
6. Hidden treasures
Unique venues and new opening spots are around the city. Someone might have a chance to explore inside the Futuredome - the latest home to Ventura Future of Ventura Project. Or the distinctive identity of Palazzo Litta that extraordinary open its doors and host Leaving Room and Swiss Design event. Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Not to mention the stylish chalk-traced illustration of #HERMESINTHECITY which popped up in Brera, Corso Venezia, and in front of Triennale Design Museum.
7. Relations and connections
“A city that won’t be made any more of places, streets, and squares, but of people and relationships between them.”
Milan Design Weeks brings together incredible designers, architect, creators, and visitors, rendering an enormous invisible network of design influence connections. You can experience the Futurehood Atlas, a digital generated map visualizing interpersonal relations during Milan Design Week this year (and so on). You can join the future to participate the atlas after design week from the distance.
8. Seamless
The exhibited works seem harmonious in disciplines. Hence everyone can easily get involved, interact, and get into the projects.
Our pick goes to Softwear by Google Design Studio and Lidewij Edelkoort, which introduce us to the soft tone of living in the advanced technology era, and between work and leisure.
Software. Milan Design Week 2018. Image ©futurecrafter
Software. Milan Design Week 2018. Image ©futurecrafter
9. Authenticity
Co-creations are keys for many brands' expositions. Meanwhile, there are several open stages, supported by visionaries groups or companies, which gave chances to meaningful conceptual works to be seen, read and perceived. Non-sponsored projects were born by designers' personal drives in specific contexts. They could reflect various issues and particular concerns on modern and future living.
Milan Design Week 2018. Image ©futurecrafter
Milan Design Week 2018. Image ©futurecrafter
10. Eternal manifesto
Unlike other design events, Milan Design Week generates unique and dynamic vibes everywhere around the city each year. It is a celebration of design's matters which exists to give us better living in every scale from personal to the social environment. In 2018,
we celebrate that designer works will have low chance to take over by AI.
