One of the most important events in the global design world, Milan Design Week 2025 brought together groundbreaking projects and inspiring installations. This year, sustainability, technology and human-centered design took center stage. Here are some of the must-see highlights of Milan Design Week 2025:
Library of Light: Es Devlin’s Fascinating Installation
British artist and designer Es Devlin’s “Library of Light” captivated visitors at the Pinacoteca di Brera. Inspired by Umberto Eco’s quote, “Books are the compasses of the mind, pointing to countless undiscovered worlds,” this monumental kinetic installation consisted of a rotating cylindrical sculpture measuring 18 meters in diameter and housing 3,200 illuminated books. During the day, the artwork reflected sunlight, and at night, its artificial lighting created a mesmerizing play of shadows, providing viewers with an unforgettable experience.
Patricia Urquiola’s Gruuve Sofa: The Free Spirit of the 1970s
Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola has revived the free spirit of the 1970s with the Gruuve sofa, in collaboration with Moroso. Defined by its curvy lines and retro color palette, this piece brings a warm and inviting atmosphere to any space.
Moooi’s Ceramic Surfaces and Ada Sokół’s Digital Artistry
Moooi has unveiled its first ceramics collection at Milan Design Week. Developed in partnership with ABK Group, the collection transforms floors and walls into striking canvases of art and texture. Additionally, 3D artist Ada Sokół’s “Extinct Animals” series pushes the boundaries of digital surrealism, offering an ultra-sensory experience based on dreamlike visions of the distant future.
Brera Design District: Connected Worlds
The Brera Design District brought together more than 200 brands under the theme of “Connected Worlds”. Offering solutions ranging from material innovation to service design, art to home landscapes and technology to living, the district reaffirmed its status as a major hub for the design community.
Isola Design Festival: Design is Human
The Isola Design Festival celebrated human-centered design under the theme of “Design is Human”. Emphasizing the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation, the festival addressed important issues such as social impact, environmental responsibility and the convergence of digital and artisanal practices.
Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Dolce Attesa” Installation: The Art of Waiting
Director Paolo Sorrentino has redefined the experience of waiting with his installation “La Dolce Attesa”. Accompanied by a soundscape created by Max Casacci, the installation offers visitors a unique and thought-provoking perspective on a liminal state often associated with anxiety, transforming it into a space of potential and transition.
Lachlan Turczan’s Light Sculptures: Making the Invisible Visible
American artist Lachlan Turczan captivated viewers with his interactive light sculptures for Google’s “Making the Invisible Visible” exhibition. Known for his explorations of light and water, Turczan’s ephemeral architectures, designed using lidar, infrared and normal-vision cameras, blur the lines between the tangible and the intangible.
Prada Frames: Reflections on Mobility
Prada Frames organized a symposium exploring the multifaceted subject of mobility and its underlying infrastructures. Curated by Formafantasma, the event offered a prismatic perspective on the dynamic systems that enable, constrain and shape the movement of people, goods, data and power, and featured discussions inside a train designed specifically by Gio Ponti.