Atelier Mendini

About

Atelier Mendini was established in 1989 in Milan by two brothers, Alessandro and Francesco Mendini. Together, they work on projects ranging from graphic design and urban design to architecture and space design. Many of the brothers' projects still embody the ideals that have been explored by Mendini's earlier works. The group works with various companies in collaboration on projects all over the world.

Interview Ideas

Collaboration

The practice of collaboration on Atelier Mendini's projects comes from the product design work that used to be done for companies in the earlier days of the company. These companies had a need for a wide vision and a wide range of ideas, so Mendini would find people from different schools of design as well as engineers and architects to bring the most that they could to the process.
For many of the collaborative projects that Atelier Mendini is involved with, the company acts as the facilitator of communication among all the designers working on the project. This can be the most difficult part of the project as the Mendini's not only have to oversee the project, they are also responsible for the spirit of the project as well.

New Materials

Using new materials in a project "is not a new way of design; it is the right way."
Francesco Mendini is involved in a lot of the material research carried out at Atellier Mendini. "If you have a very new material you are very stimulated." Much like many of the maestros of Francesco's generation, the Mendini's have maintained a close relationship to the materials that they use in their projects. This allows them to explore new and creative ways to use materials, and the research into these materials can be used in future projects.

Education and Passing on the Torch

"I am not so confident in the design and architecture schools in Italy." Francesco believes that it is up to the individual students and their interests to make what they can of their schooling today.
In the past, specifically in the sixties and seventies, Italian designers were interacting with the situations and events in Milan everyday. This was very fruitful for the design industry as the things that were happening in Milan were driving the ideas that were emerging in design at that time. Today, people who are not born in Italy are working in Italy and creating the contemporary brand of Italian design.
Francesco believes that "the studios are the schools", much like a bodega. This was an idea that was expressed by Alessandro in the interview last year, that the only way to really learn design or architecture is to do it within a studio and be taught by your mentor. Francesco went on to say that, "this will continue even though the panorama of design has changed." "The way of growing is always the same." The panorama of design includes the different schools of design that are strongly emerging in the market today. These include the Minimalist German style, the technological, Japanese style, and the Italian way of design. Although these schools of design are going to every direction, they are not mixing. This opinion provides an optimistic view for the future of Italian design.

Technology in Design

"The novelty of technology is finished." Francesco believes that technology should only be used in design when there is something new to show. At this point there is a retro phenomenon that is appearing in all areas of the market.

Process

"When we start a new project we use the work that has come before for other purposes, and sometimes even for research." The Mendini's use the ideas and the researches that have been generated from past projects in new ways when working on new projects. For example, they will mix the research results on material and color and one of the company’s patterns to create a new object. This way they do not have to start from the beginning on every project. This is a clear illustration as to why it is important to keep past works and use them as a reference or starting points in the future.
When Atelier Mendini begins a project they always "think about the image a piece of design or architecture must have." "What is our intention?" This is the way that Atelier Mendini thinks about the human needs involved within a project, so that the project is relevant to the location and the audience.

"When you go into a town and propose a new piece of architecture they are always afraid because it is something different. At the beginning they don't understand, but after some time they will understand because you were thinking of the real needs of the people." For example, the metro project in Naples made use of local references in the patterns used within the architecture so that the residents could connect to the new stations. This project involved many challenges that had to be met with engineering solutions. With any project, the engineers have to be stimulated with a challenge.
Francesco spoke of the colors used in Mendini's projects; he said that they always use joyful colors. "Why be depressed?"

Video/Key Quotes

What We Learned

The Mendini’s vast range of experiences in the field of design imparts us with great energy to constantly push our ideas further.

One of the main emphases Atelier Mendini has been practicing is that ideas can come from many different sources; they don't only work with fellow designers but also with engineers, architects, artists, and other professionals. Keeping an open mind on what is beyond what we know is a valuable asset. Learning is an active process as much as designing is as well. Schools can only play a part in one’s education. As Francesco Mendini pointed out, in the end it is about the individuals' passion and initiative to further their knowledge. This is the kind of passion that can be seen in Atelier Mendini’s continual research about new materials which they eventually incorporate into their designs, establishing a solid foundation for their works. At the same time, when faced by challenges in any design project, their process teaches us that success relies on how things were and are being accomplished. The past is as important as the present as they both make up the future of the development of a design. This has been the tradition for them and it forms the context and philosophy of Italian design. It is what ensures quality in their work. Finally, the focus on the real needs of whom the design is for is the piece that brings it all together. Without it, a design serves no purpose.