Fino holds second International Design Thinking workshop

Fino held its second International Design Thinking workshop at the Fino Fouri Salone at the Fino complex in Mrieħel on December 2, in collaboration with Veneta Cucine and Electrolux.

The workshop, chaired by architect Paul Camilleri, was followed by a party, which gave the numerous guests a chance to network and exchange ideas.

Among the speakers at the workshop were sociologists at Future Concept Lab Francesco Morace and Linda Gobbi. Mr Morace is also a writer and journalist and has worked for over 20 years in social and market research.

He is the president of Future Concept Lab, and is responsible for research programmes Mindstyles, Genius Loci, Street Signals and Happiness. Ms Gobbi is specialised in the study of social indicators, the data processing and qualitative research techniques and audiovisual works.

Ms Gobbi has worked in social and market research, with professional experience as a researcher at universities and institutes of marketing research in Italy, dealing with socio-economic models. She is a partner of Future Concept Lab and is responsible for the ad hoc research department. Their topic of discussion focused on inspiration derived from the different generations of consumers, with an introduction on markets and sustainability. Luigi Campello and Graziano Lazzarotto discussed the Electrolux process of developing a product based on analysis of ‘consumer insight’ and their real demands/needs. Mr Campello is president and general director of operations at Electrolux Appliances in Italy, while Mr Lazzarotto is built-in trade and sales manager.

Andrea Branzi, an architect and director of the school of design at the Milan polytechnic, discussed how to evolve a product from a simple concept. From 1964 to 1974 he was part of Archizoom Associates, the first avantgarde group known internationally, whose projects are currently kept at the Centre of Studies and Archives for Communication at the University of Parma.

Mr Branzi is also co-founder of the Domus Academy, the first international school of postgraduate design, and author of numerous books on history and theory of design. He has organised numerous exhibitions in Italy and internationally.

The last speaker was Dante Donegani, director of the Masters course in design at the Domus Academy. Mr Donegani has set up several art exhibitions, corporate identification systems and designed products for various companies including, Stildomus, Menphis, Luceplan, Edra, Radice, Viceversa and Rotaliana. He has also won competitions in architecture and his works have been on show in various museums and exhibitions.

Mr Camilleri also presented the Fino Awards for Tomorrow’s Designers to the best three Art and Design Mcast students who exhibited their designs during the workshop. The winners were selected by the workshop attendees.