Alberto Meda

Mechanical engineering – the driving force behind creativity

The degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano could have been his first steps down a certain type of path, nevertheless Alberto Meda wasn’t interested in meeting expectations. After having worked at the renowned company Magneti Marelli, in 1973 this Italian designer from Tremezzina, in the Como province, became technical director for Kartell, and head of product development for the labware and furniture accessories divisions. As an independent professional, and in the role of industrial designer, he has since then collaborated with a number of Italian and international companies such as, Alias, Alessi, ArabiaFinland, Brevetti Gaggia, Cinelli, Colombodesign, Italtel Telematica, Jcdecaux, Mandarina Duck, Ideal Standard, Luceplan, Omron Japan, Philips, Vitra Olivetti and Caimi Brevetti, to name a few. From 1981, and for four years, he also designed the Alfa Romeo Auto. Starting from the 1980s, in addition to his designing work he also began his academic practice by teaching at renowned institutions and universities such as the Domus Academy, Università IUAV di Venezia and Politecnico di Milano. Throughout his career he has received a number of very prestigious awards for his projects including 6 Compasso d’oro, the last one of which he won in 2018 for Tubes’ “Origami screen radiator”. He currently lives and works in Milan. Since 1994 New York’s MOMA has included Meda’s “Light light”, “Soft light” and “Longframe” chairs in its Design Collection, in addition to his “On-off” lamp.