This year for the first time I went to Milano Design Week. It’s grown more and more attractive as a venue for the car industry to do reveals, and automotive designers are now accustomed to meeting in Milano to find inspiration. I was invited by Konzepthaus to organize a lighting session mixing automotive and non-automotive lighting designers and of course I took time to enjoy the city and have a look at prevailing design trends.
Lighting is a key design element for vehicles and everywhere else, too. Lighting was emphasized at most design events, car exhibitions, museums, and festivals. It is really interesting to see how crucial lighting is becoming in home interiors to create a cosy living place, how light and backlighting can create an atmosphere and a unique experience. As a lamp designer, you try to understand the technology behind the design, with your engineer’s eyes. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes not. Either way, you are embraced into a sort of dream.
There was so much inspiration in Italy for my first participation at Milano! As Tom Binders (BMW) explained during the ‘Haus of Automotive’ interior lighting session, “designers are not here to copy. We are here to find ideas and inspiration, and then create the trends”. I resonate with this; I can understand it.
My direct travel from Milano to Beijing for the auto show was quite shocking and abrupt. Totally different atmosphere, moving from the design mood to the biggest tech show. Different atmospheres, but same topics and passion for lighting.
Maybe China could benefit from a walk on the Milano side, to see and experience the dolce vita atmosphere. Many cars in China tend to look quite similar, even though lighting plays a major role in differentiation. Designers have little time and must deliver under the constraints of an ultra‑fast development cycle. Creativity on one side, technology on the other — lighting designers and engineers need to bring both worlds together!
Take care,
