At the start the new Special Project "DESIGN & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. Learning from the Italian Experience"

POLI.design, in collaboration with The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (TRITA, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), has launched the first edition of the Special Project DESIGN & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. Learning from the Italian Experience.

Starting on October 31 and ending on December 2, the Project has involved TRITA’s Faculty members in both online and in-person learning activities, with the specific aim of drawing from the experience and deep cultural roots of the “Italian model” which combines design and crafts (artisan enterprises and SMEs), while at the same time developing new knowledge to innovate strategies, methods and tools for the relaunch and valorization of Saudi traditional arts.

The relationship between Italian designers and craftsmen has a long history with important profitable achievements in terms of contributions to the construction of Italian contemporary production identity, better known as “Made in Italy”. Today, the red thread that runs through this international success story is still the high-level craftsmanship and artisanal production, as a strong trait of Italian culture and tradition, attracting talents from all over the world.

In order for the artisanal world to find ways to respond effectively to the market’s new requirements in the globalized and complex contemporary scenarios, the program takes on a systemic vision of the role of design in the valorization of cultural identity, of which traditional arts and crafts are bearers, so to strengthen the artisans’ capability to keep up with new and indispensable expressive languages and market requests.

With the Scientific Direction of Politecnico di Milano Professors Maria Rita Ferrara and Francesco E. Guida, and the coordination of Dr. Beatrice Bianco and POLI.design staff the 3-weeks course consisted of two different parts: a cycle of master class lessons entrusted to professors from Politecnico di Milano or design professionals and experts from the business world, plus a learning tour in Lombardia and Milano, the centre of Italian design excellence.

During the intensive week-long on site study tour, the participants had a unique chance to meet in person not only with professors and lab experts, but also with internationally renowned Italian designers and design studios as well as small to medium enterprises and artisans that work with different materials and techniques, from mosaics to bronze statues, ceramics, rags and textyles, and wallpapers, innovating and bringing to a new life Italian traditional craftmanship.