SaloneSatellite 2024 introduced novel features including a mentoring program and the first online design store for SaloneSatellite participants, alongside award-winning projects like Studio Ololoo’s Deformation Under Pressure lamp and Filippo Andrighetto’s Veliero bookcase.
The prestigious SaloneSatellite, an annual highlight of Salone del Mobile, commemorated its 25th anniversary this year with a grand celebration of innovation and creativity. Established in 1998 as a platform for young designers to showcase their talent, SaloneSatellite has evolved into a global stage for emerging design trends and experimentation.
The event, held at Rho Fiera in Pavilions 5-7, featured a diverse array of exhibitions from 600 participants representing 32 countries and 22 international design schools and universities. Among the highlights of the event were the awards ceremony, the launch of a mentoring program, and a special collaboration with FrankBros to create a pioneering online design store for SaloneSatellite participants.
Marva Griffin Wilshire, the Founder and Curator of SaloneSatellite, reminisced about the event’s humble beginnings, stating:
“It feels like yesterday when we launched this SaloneSatellite into orbit. Design, which is inherently avant-garde, needs places of reference and encounters. And what would be a more suitable place to communicate young design than the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan?”
Over the years, SaloneSatellite has nurtured countless design talents, providing them with opportunities for professional growth and international recognition. This year, the event introduced a mentoring program, allowing young participants to connect with established designers whose careers were launched at SaloneSatellite. The program aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange and foster connections within the design community.
SaloneSatellite also unveiled an exhibition at the Triennale Milano, curated by Beppe Finessi and Ricardo Bello Dias, tracing the history of the event. The exhibition showcased the evolution of design trends and highlighted the impact of SaloneSatellite on the global design landscape.
SaloneSatellite Awards & FrankBros, First Online Design Store for SaloneSatellite Participants
One of the most anticipated aspects of SaloneSatellite 2024 was the SaloneSatellite Award ceremony, chaired by Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator of the Department of Architecture and Design at MoMA. This year, the award introduced a new trophy designed by artist Daniele Basso, paying homage to the iconic Singer chair by Bruno Munari.
Studio Ololoo, representing China, clinched the First Prize for their innovative lamp, Deformation Under Pressure, while Filippo Andrighetto, an Italian-Danish designer, received the Second Prize for his modular bookcase, Veliero. The Third Prize went to EGOUNDESIGN, an Italian design studio, for their Voronoi set of brass cups. Additionally, a Special Mention was awarded to Collectif for their ONAT lamp from the Fibra Collection, showcasing the creative talents of Tunisia.
The collaboration with FrankBros, the first online design store, introduced a new dimension to the event, providing a platform for past and present SaloneSatellite designers to showcase their works to a global audience. By partnering with an online design store, SaloneSatellite aimed to broaden its reach and make emerging design accessible to a global audience.
In another exciting development, SaloneSatellite partnered with Teckell to create a revamped play area, where designers engaged in friendly competition on the Effetto 71 table tennis table.
A Platform for Dialogue and Exchange
The 25th-anniversary edition of SaloneSatellite not only celebrated the achievements of the past but also looked toward the future of design. The event served as a platform for dialogue and exchange, fostering connections between designers, industry professionals, and design enthusiasts. The mentoring program, a new addition to SaloneSatellite 2024, exemplified this spirit of collaboration. Young designers had the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals, gaining insights into the industry and forging valuable connections that could shape their careers.
The exhibition at the Triennale Milano provided a comprehensive overview of SaloneSatellite’s evolution over the past quarter-century. From its modest beginnings in 1998 to its current status as a global showcase of emerging design talent, the exhibition highlighted the event’s contributions to the design world.
The SaloneSatellite Award ceremony was the culmination of weeks of anticipation, as designers awaited the verdict of the esteemed jury. The introduction of a new trophy by artist Daniele Basso added an extra layer of significance to the awards, symbolizing the enduring legacy of SaloneSatellite and its impact on the design community.
Róng Design Award: One-month Residency in China
SaloneSatellite 2024 also marked the third edition of the Róng Design Award, promoting Chinese traditional craftsmanship and offering a one-month residency to the Special Mention winner. Promoted by the Róng Design Library, based in the Yuhang district of Hangzhou, China, this award offers a unique opportunity for designers to delve into traditional Chinese craftsmanship and materials during a one-month residency.
The winner of the Special Mention category is granted this residency, where they are fully immersed in documenting traditional Chinese crafts and techniques, enriching their creative process. The Special Mention award was given to Collectif, represented by Mohamed Romani with Chems Eddine Mechri and Ahmed Bssila, for their ONAT lamp from the Fibra Collection.
The mission of the Róng Design Award is not only to introduce and promote the unique aspects of Chinese traditional craftsmanship to the global design community but also to support the growth and creativity of young designers by providing them with invaluable cultural experiences and resources.
As SaloneSatellite 2024 drew to a close, participants reflected on the event’s significance and looked ahead to the next chapter in the evolution of design. With its rich history, vibrant community, and unwavering commitment to innovation, SaloneSatellite remains at the forefront of the design world, inspiring generations of designers to push the boundaries of creativity and imagination.
