This week's blog is all about the influential Italian designer, Achille Castiglioni. Nicknamed Cici, Castiglioni graduated in architecture from Politecnico di Milano in 1944. Straight after graduation, he joined Studio Castiglioni which he and his brothers Livio and Pier Giacomo formed in 1938. Livio left the company in 1952, but this did not stop Achille and Pier from gaining success with their interior work. Castiglioni didn't stick to one specific area of design he focused on multiple such as architecture, urban planning, furniture design, products and light design. Up until 1968, Achille worked close in collaboration with his brother, designing some of the most well-known icons in industrial design such as the Mezzardo stool and Acro floor lamp, which are now part of the MoMA's permanent collection.

After the death of his brother Pier, Achille carried on as a designer, an urban planner whilst teaching at the Polytechnic of Turin and the Architectural Polytechnic of Milan. He also worked with multiple world-renowned Italian companies such as Flos, Zanotta and Alessi. During his long 64 year career, he won an astounding 9 Compasso d'ora awards which is an industrial design award, the first and most recognised in its field. Castiglioni produced over 150 products along with his architectural work, which slowly began to gain recognition and respect for its practical, quirky and purposeful design. Some of these innovative products include Sella, a stool designed around a bike seat and Record a wristwatch made in partnership with Alessi. I really like the design of the wristwatch as it's purpose isn't to be flashy or count your steps, it's simply to tell the time. The minimal look is easy on the eye and makes it have a sense of quality about it, is it this stripped-back approach to design that makes it great?

Castiglia is a stackable armchair with a tubular steel frame and a leather seat. This is another item of work that I'm really drawn to but I'm not quite sure why? It may be the way the leather and steel contrast effectively, complimenting one another or perhaps it reminds me of something that I just can't put my finger on. Either way, the design is the right mix of quirky and simple which Castiglioni is so famous for. One of his more recent pieces of work was Scritarello, it was based on a school desk and was intended to offer maximum functionality with minimum means. This is a desk I would like to have as from a practicality point of view it ticks all the boxes, the two shelves on either side of the desk are perfect for storing unfinished bits of work. The desktop is large and has a slight curve to it allowing the user to get tucked into the desk easily, there is also a little bar that looks like it could be used as a footrest providing different seating positions.

On the 2nd of December 2002, Achille Castiglioni died in Milan with his family by his side. Castiglioni undoubtedly was one of the most influential designers in the industry and his products are still being sold today for significant sums of money. I for one can see why, as previously mentioned he successfully achieved the correct mix of quirky and practical time and time again, creating timeless products. I think a good place to end this blog is a quote from the man himself on what he believes is good design.