The 9th edition of Isola Design Festival organized by the digital and physical design platform Isola, will welcome visitors during Milan Design Week, from 7 to 13 April 2025.
Reshaping the role of humanity-driven design
Over the years, and more recently with the launch of its Dubai outpost, Isola has evolved into a global platform by staying true to its origins while embracing fresh perspectives in contemporary design. The 2025 edition pays tribute to these roots with the theme Design is Human, a powerful reflection on the role of people in the design process.
Design should start at a human scale, ultimately enhancing the well-being of both people and the planet. Design is Human highlights the fusion of traditional mastery and digital innovation, reaffirming that human creativity remains at the core of meaningful design.
Conscious Objects, Isola Design Gallery, and Openspace
As the district has expanded and evolved in recent years, alongside the heart of the neighborhood, a new venue, BasicVillage (Via dell’Aprica 12, Milan) has been added to the circuit, infusing the area with fresh creative energy. Originally built as a rubber factory, this early 20th-century complex is located in the Eastern industrial heart of Isola, near the former Farini railway depot.
Within its various spaces, Isola will cultivate an atmosphere of creativity and exchange. BasicVillage will be the centerpiece of the festival with a series of carefully curated collective exhibitions by Isola’s team, including Conscious Objects, Isola Design Gallery, and Openspace, each highlighting innovative approaches to contemporary design.
Adding to the richness of the event, returning partners such as DesignWanted – presenting the second edition of ENHANCE – along with IAAD, Accademia Italiana, and SAE Institute, will come together, combining their diverse expertise to further elevate and expand this dynamic design hub.
Showcasing how design is deeply rooted in human stories, heritage, and hands-on creativity, Isola Design Festival will transform the entire Isola neighborhood during Milan Design Week 2025 into the epicenter of exhibitions, installations, lively events, workshops, live demonstrations, and design talks.
The focus shifts back to the humans, including those of the neighborhood whose identity and craftsmanship not only shaped the festival’s early editions but also keeps the district’s creative spirit alive throughout the year. Among the local entities will be: Brussels House, Ernesto Shop, Fondazione TOG, Galleria Angelo Della Pergola, RivaViva.
A people-centered design movement
Bringing together international designers, studios, creators, and manufacturers, Isola Design Festival 2025 champions a humanity-driven approach to design, exploring themes like social impact, environmental responsibility, functional design, locally sourced materials, and the fusion of digital and artisanal crafts – shaping a new, people-centered design movement.
Among the exhibitors in the Isola neighborhood, Arno will present Deus Ex Machina: an ode to MDF; SEKISUI: Beyond Smart Life & Mobility will be a journey on how life can be made more enjoyable with their ambient, intelligent designs that prioritize well-being; and WORTH will showcase projects developed within its incubator programme. ViaFarini will be the backdrop of Rasa – The Indian Collective, an exhibition exploring India’s rich craftsmanship, conceived by Isola Studio with its team in India.
“Design is Human calls for a deep reflection on the relationship between people and design, to consider how design choices shape our lives, communities, and the environment. True design has to begin with a focus on the human experience and every decision and innovation should be guided by empathy, understanding, and respect for the diverse needs of all people.
Nowadays, designers are asked to do more than simply creating visually appealing or efficient products.They must approach each project with a sense of responsibility, recognizing the broader impact their work has on society and the planet. This means balancing creativity and innovation with a deep commitment to sustainable practices, ensuring that every design solution contributes positively to the environment and future generations.”
— affirms Gabriele Cavallaro, co-founder and CEO of Isola Design Group.
Designers have until 20 February 2025 to submit their projects and join the conversation. In the weeks leading up to Milan Design Week 2025, Isola will reveal the full programme of events and participants.
CREDITS
Date:
7—13 april 2025
Where:
Isola Design District
When:
Monday 7 April: 2 p.m. — 7 p.m.
Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 April: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Sunday 13 April: 10 a.m. — 3 p.m.
About Isola
Isola Design Group provides visibility and opportunities to independent designers, design studios, and brands worldwide. The venture runs both Isola Design, the community platform featuring profiles, project portfolios, and direct messaging for the exchange of ideas, and the recently launched Isola Studio, a consultancy studio for future-thinking design brands and organizations.
Isola Design
Isola Design (www.isola.design) is the world’s first digital and physical platform connecting independent designers and studios with industry professionals, brands, curators, journalists, and clients. Its dedicated curatorial team selects projects with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and handcraft.
Founded in 2017 in Milan, Isola Design District immediately became one of the main official areas of the Milan Design Week, with special attention to international and emerging designers. Isola Design also organizes various in-person events under the umbrella of Isola Design Festival, which takes place throughout the year, hosting dozens of exhibitions, hundreds of exhibitors, and thousands of visitors.
Since 2019, Isola Design has participated in the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, becoming the first Italian design district to participate in a foreign event. Isola Design expanded its borders even further in 2022, when for the first time it led a curated group of designers to the United Arab Emirates for Downtown Design during Dubai Design Week, and in 2023 by taking part in Material Matters at the London Design Festival and Tanween, Ithra’s Conference of Creativity, the largest creativity platform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Launched in 2021 with more than 1.500 designers from 65+ countries and 2,600+ projects published, Isola Design offers a community for creative people around the globe through its digital platform, with dedicated profiles and portfolio pages. The digital platform aims to spark direct community interactions, discussions, and the sharing of expertise.
Isola Studio
In 2024, Isola Design Group founded Isola Studio (www.isola.design/studio), the new consultancy lab for design brands, organizations, and institutions. Dedicated to creating innovative solutions, Isola Studio shares its multifocal vision with design professionals, startups, companies, and event organizers.
Already active in a hybrid form across many countries that are part of the global Isola Design community, Isola Studio has initiated international calls to connect design brands, from lighting to product design, with emerging talents. It has also crafted special setups for Italian companies with branches in Europe and the Middle East, as well as international organizations such as B&T (Turkey), iGuzzini (UAE), Ithra (Saudi Arabia), Masquespacio (Spain), Monkey47 (Germany), Re-Mat (Italy) and The Good Plastic Company (Netherlands), to name a few.
Nitaj
In June 2024 Isola Studio launched its first international design residency, Nitaj (www.isola.design/nitaj), an intensive programme dedicated to lighting design. Conceived for Sama Design – a product design and art studio based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – the residency began in Milan and culminated with an exhibition in Jeddah showcasing the works created by each participant.
Moreover, via the upcoming Marketplace by Isola, each verified designer and creative studio will get the chance to sell their physical products, digital assets, and NFTs.
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