Milan 2011

The latest from the Salon de Mobile and especially from the Euroluce tells us the story of an industry craving for new blood.

We visited the show this April, it was big and we were excited to be there. I personally am experiencing a "build-up" before very Milan Design Week. It is eventually where the entire design industry meets.

The experience though, was somewhat disappointing as few new designs were exhibited. Whether it was the economic crisis of the past few years or the saturation of the design market, or the decline of Superstar Designers, most brands just repeated what we have already seen.

But there were some new eye catching designs! MGX wasa definite refreshing view of design whith their 3D printer light fixtures. Artemide was crowded as ever and offered a cleaner, calmer line than the one we have seen in previous years.

And where was Iris Design Studio in all of his? What was I doing? Well, I was looking for partners. Companies that would collaborate with our brand in terms of design.

I think I saw a lot of butterflies this year. Since we issued our Islas Galapagos back in 2007, I was proud to be a first in market trends, though none were as beautiful as ours.

The Edison bulb in larger formats was also very popular as well as the use of mirrors. I could not help but wonder…

I believe the problem with this show is that it is just too big and it is hard to intake all the information you see and hear whether you are and exhibitor or just visiting. But it is still a worthwhile experience especially for those who are visiting for the first time. I would recommend it for any designer or student wanting to know where this industry is heading.

The rest of Milan was packed with design parties, young designer shows and cutting edge new and improved products. This was by far the more exciting part of the trip and I could not help remembering myself a few years back. If I was not showing my own designs, I was running around the various studios in town and this is experience of seeing everything for the first time, designing and exhibiting for the first time, would always be something that I cherish.

Yours. Iris