Vico Magistretti: when Italian design becomes storytelling
There’s a design that doesn’t need to raise its voice. It’s the kind Vico Magistretti, Milanese architect and designer, pursued throughout his life — a design that’s essential, balanced, and deeply human.
Today, his creations are considered true icons of Italian design, continuing to inspire generations of creatives around the world.
A Milanese legacy that speaks globally
Born in Milan in 1920, Magistretti came from a family of architects. After graduating from the Politecnico di Milano and spending some time in Switzerland during the war, he returned to his city to take part in its post-war reconstruction.
But it was in the field of industrial design that his voice found its most universal expression. Far from decorative excess, Magistretti focused on essence: he created everyday objects that were beautiful precisely because they were functional.
Timeless objects that still speak to us
One of his most celebrated works is the Eclisse Lamp, designed for Artemide in 1965: a small spherical lamp inspired by miner lanterns and lunar movement. It won the Compasso d’Oro and still brings poetic light to modern interiors.
Then came the Maralunga sofa (1973, Cassina), a revolutionary concept of comfort: reclining backrests, cozy shapes, and a domestic feel that anticipated the evolving needs of modern living.
Among his most iconic designs is also the Atollo Lamp, created for Oluce, a perfect balance of geometry and light that became a true symbol of Italian minimalism.
A philosophy of subtraction
Every piece designed by Magistretti carries a vision. “Real design is done with an eraser, not with a pencil,” he often said.
For him, designing meant removing the unnecessary, not adding more. This philosophy makes his work incredibly relevant today, especially in a world increasingly focused on sustainable design and conscious creativity.
A lesson for today’s creatives
For artists, illustrators, designers, and visual storytellers, Magistretti’s style offers a gentle yet powerful reminder: observe, simplify, communicate only what matters.
In a time when design often risks getting lost in the superficial, his work stands as a quiet compass, pointing toward meaning and intention.
Collaborations That Shaped Design History
Vico Magistretti’s career was deeply intertwined with some of the most important names in 20th-century design and architecture. For decades, he helped define the aesthetic and functional identity of brands that would become symbols of Made in Italy excellence. These include Cassina, Artemide, Oluce, and De Padova.
He also collaborated with fellow visionaries like Marco Zanuso. Sharing a passion for innovation and the intersection of form and technology, Magistretti moved in the same creative circles as architects such as Ignazio Gardella, Sergio Sarfatti, Richard Rogers, and Gio Ponti.
He contributed to the vibrant postwar design culture of Milan.
Magistretti also played a key role in design education. As a long-time professor at the Politecnico di Milano, he trained generations of designers. He left a legacy that continues to influence contemporary thinking.
A living legacy
His legacy lives on through the Vico Magistretti Foundation in Milan, which preserves his sketches, prototypes, and models while offering exhibitions and educational experiences.
But perhaps his truest legacy lives in the objects still in production today — real everyday masterpieces, designed to last and to emotionally resonate with those who use them.
Design as cultural storytelling
Vico Magistretti taught us that design is not just about shape or function — it’s a form of visual and cultural storytelling.
Each line, curve, and material choice was made to endure and interact with the lives of real people. And for that his legacy is a guiding light for those who create, design, and imagine what’s next.
