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History of Italian design, Part I: Survey

ID 1 credits
Summer session
This course follows the development of Italian design from its origins to the present day. The course enables students to reach a close understanding of the main lines of development, and of major products, designers, studios and production firms. Names considered include Olivetti, Castiglioni, and Santachiara. The Italian contribution is defined against the history of design in general, and is framed within over a century of Italian socio-economic history. The course is in English but attention is given to Italian terminology.

History of Italian design, Part II: Major figures in Italian architecture and design
ID 1 ý credits Summer session
This course approaches design through monographic studies of selected figures in architectural and design history. Those treated range from such figures as Leon Battista Alberti and Leonardo da Vinci, to Sottsass, Gregotti, Piano, and Pininfarina. By close examination of notable innovators in design and architecture in terms of theory and objects, students reflect upon the history of design, the creative and working process, and other issues (such as the definition of design, and the role of the market).

Design Laboratory: the domestic object
ID 3 credits
Summer session
This intensive course is dedicated to the design of one unit of furniture, furnishing accessory, or fixture. Each student chooses from one or more themes, and may carry out one additonal project. The final project package must include preliminary sketches, complete supporting materials (indications/ samples of materials, color schemes and so on), an analysis of the objectÕs aesthetic role and function in a domestic context, and the executive design. At least three specially arranged site visits are included in the course.

The visits are selected from the following venues: Carrara (marble quarrying and finishing); Colle Val dÕElsa (crystal workshops), Volterra (alabaster workshops); Sesto Fiorentino (Pozzi Ginori, industrial ceramics, dishware and sanitary); Maranello (Ferrari factory and museum); Pontedera (Piaggio, FIAT group, motor scooter factory and museum); Pistoia (Ansaldo Breda, train carriage and bus factory); Impruneta (terracotta tiles); Faenza (ceramic tiles); Poggibonsi or Quarrrata (kitchen unit production); Santa Croce Valdarno (leather work); Florence or Arezzo (wood); T.B.A. (trade fairs).

TOTAL: 6 credits
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