At the upcoming Isola Design Festival, humanity-centric creativity takes precedence

For the ninth edition of its famed festival during Milan Design Week 2025, Isola pays homage to its roots. The theme, “Design is Human,” accentuates the role of intention in the design process and its links to society as a whole. Bringing together international designers, studios, creators, and manufacturers, a symbiosis between digital and artisanal crafts will shine bright through the spirited setup of exhibitions, installations, showcasings, and unmissable events.

The ways in which we perceive and metabolize the world around us can never be one and the same. Each being is in possession of a truly unique set of lenses and web of capacity–destined to unfurl at its own pace and through its own means. Aided by creativity, every unduplicatable take becomes arrestingly open, puncturable even. A dance between individuality and togetherness then turns irresistible as it attests to the true beauty of the universe as a place of ever-growing unique narratives and intrigue. Having evolved into a global platform dedicated to creative expression, for the ninth edition of its celebrated festival, Isola goes back to its roots. With its aptly entitled theme Design is Human, the Isola Design Festival 2025 will center around human perspectives and the role of the human experience in the design process.

From April 7 to 13, 2025, the Isola Design District will bring together international designers, studios, creators, and manufacturers. A humanity-driven approach to design at the core, themes such as social impact, environmental responsibility, functional design, locally sourced materials, and the fusion of digital and artisanal crafts will be explored through a wide array of exhibitions, installations, showcasing, and unforgettable events. Originally a rubber factory, alongside the heart of the district, Isola’s brand new venue, BasicVillage, at Via dell’Aprica 12, will serve as the centerpiece of the festival and host the second rendition of DesignWanted’s ENHANCE exhibition as well as Conscious Objects, Isola Design Gallery and Openspace, three collective exhibitions by Isola Studio led by creative director Elif Resitoglu.

On display at the second rendition of DesignWanted's ENHANCE exhibition, Joshua Klappe's Self-Bent Chair, a solid beech chair that has bent itself into a comfortable curved shape, enchantingly showcases the potential of a new technique called wood programming. - © Joshua Klappe — On display at the second rendition of DesignWanted’s *ENHANCE* exhibition, Joshua Klappe’s Self-Bent Chair, a solid beech chair that has bent itself into a comfortable curved shape, enchantingly showcases the potential of a new technique called wood programming. – © Joshua Klappe

Curated by Juan Torres, the second edition of ENHANCE, the pioneering exhibition format launched by DesignWanted, will be dedicated to material-driven innovation in design and, aligned with the seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global sustainability. Enlivening a space that welcomes curiosity and experimentation, a selection of forward-thinking concepts, fascinating pieces, and objects as well as trailblazing material-first approaches will grippingly highlight design’s potential to reshape society in meaningful and inspiring ways. As part of the carefully conceptualised lineup, Rotterdam-based industrial designer Joshua Klappe will unveil his latest masterful creation. A striking exploration of self-forming wood, Klappe’s Self-Bent Chair conveys the enticing nature of its core material and simultaneously illustrates the abundance of possibilities the new (and delicate) technique of wood programming holds.

As part of the Conscious Objects group exhibit, Ilaria Critelli’s “FACE TO FACE - Sinful Dialogues" is made up of vibrantly colored tables and seating pieces that adapt and transform in response to the user, offering a new perspective on design as a tool for inner and social change. - © Ilaria Critelli — As part of the *Conscious Objects* group exhibit, Ilaria Critelli’s “FACE TO FACE – Sinful Dialogues” is made up of vibrantly colored tables and seating pieces that adapt and transform in response to the user, offering a new perspective on design as a tool for inner and social change. – © Ilaria Critelli

Showcasing visionary designers and innovators fascinated by all the human senses, Conscious Objects blends sustainability, functionality, and playfulness with digital, robotic, and human craftsmanship. The collective exhibition invites visitors to explore a rich variety of creative and technical processes through screens displaying product insights, production footage, and interactive elements. As such, Ilaria Critelli’s “FACE TO FACE – Sinful Dialogues,” a collection of design objects, explores the theme of the seven deadly sins. Each is crafted to dissolve the vice it represents and stimulate emotional and relational balance, transforming interaction into an act of reflection and awareness. Conceptualised around a human-centric approach, each design featured in the group exhibition fuses flexibility, experience, and technology and simultaneously addresses environmental impact through innovative material formulas and ethical practices.

Set to be on display at the Isola Design Gallery, Francois Kessler's Floating Sun is inspired by Venice and Aldo Rossi’s Teatro del Mondo. It seamlessly integrates into different interiors, whether placed on a sideboard or as a centrepiece, indoors or outdoors. - © Francois Kessler — Set to be on display at the Isola Design Gallery, Francois Kessler’s Floating Sun is inspired by Venice and Aldo Rossi’s Teatro del Mondo. It seamlessly integrates into different interiors, whether placed on a sideboard or as a centrepiece, indoors or outdoors. – © Francois Kessler

For its sixth edition, the Isola Design Gallery will focus on handcrafted products and customizable pieces and how collectible design stems from storytelling. The space will feature a variety of setups–from futuristic living concepts to contemporary interiors–where each object interacts meaningfully with the rest. The collective exhibition will mesh designers of different backgrounds and convey how diverse interiors can be designed to reflect contrasting ways of living. Very much encapsulating a touching tale, Francois Kessler’s Floating Sun is a standalone, battery-powered table lamp with a form that evokes the image of a sun resting on the horizon, carried by a boat whose sail seems to merge with the daystar. With its opal white diffuser and wooden base inspired by gondolas and sailboats, the piece enchantingly combines minimalism with refined design.

Featured in the collective exhibition Openspace, LuxTemporis' high-end kinetic lighting creations are rooted in nyctinasty, the movement of flower buds opening and closing to the rhythm of day and night, conveying an immersive experience punctuated by natural cycles. - © LuxTemporis — Featured in the collective exhibition *Openspace*, LuxTemporis’ high-end kinetic lighting creations are rooted in nyctinasty, the movement of flower buds opening and closing to the rhythm of day and night, conveying an immersive experience punctuated by natural cycles. – © LuxTemporis

Openspace will be dedicated to bespoke companies, brands, and startups across technology, eco-tech, material research, and digital manufacturing. The group setup will showcase a selection of cutting-edge products and services and offer visitors an intriguing glimpse into the future of design. Industry leaders will also be present as valuable insights into new materials and processes shape potential collaborations. The talk and workshop area will feature designer seating by HeFlies. Created by Michael Chezzi, Filippo Cocconi, and Mattia Pini, the Italian brand on-the-rise’s core product, the floating puff, blends art, futuristic design, and functionality.

As part of Rasa - The Indian Collective exhibition, Motionworks' Firefly is a light sculpture that retains the softness and gentleness of the insect. With its hand finished brass wings supported with finely formed stainless steel armature, the piece gracefully illuminates spaces via a teak wood light marking its head and its tail. - © Motionworks — As part of *Rasa – The Indian Collective* exhibition, Motionworks’ Firefly is a light sculpture that retains the softness and gentleness of the insect. With its hand-finished brass wings supported with finely formed stainless steel armature, the piece gracefully illuminates spaces via a teak wood light marking its head and its tail. – © Motionworks

Rasa – The Indian Collective, an exhibition that celebrates India’s rich craftsmanship reinterpreted through a contemporary design lens, will be unveiled at VIAFARINI at Via Carlo Farini 35. Presented by Isola Studio and curated by Nidhi Chandak and Varun E S, part of Isola Studio’s team based in India, it will portray design as an emotional narrative through artisans’ narratives, cultural continuity, and innovation. As the Sanskrit word Rasa (रस) refers to emotional experiences evoked by creative expression, the showcase will feature more than 15 Indian designers and design studios that bridge tradition and modernity and include hand-blown glass, marble, textiles, terrazzo made from construction waste, sandstone, woven bamboo, and woodwork.

Artist and designer Arno Hoogland works with Unilin Fibralux Biobased, the most sustainable MDF board in the world. In his first solo exhibition, an assortment of captivating designs convey the divine qualities of MDF as an underestimated material. - © Bram Spaan — Artist and designer Arno Hoogland works with Unilin Fibralux Biobased, the most sustainable MDF board in the world. In his first solo exhibition, an assortment of captivating designs convey the divine qualities of MDF as an underestimated material. – © Bram Spaan

With his foundation in traditional woodworking and industrial design at the Design Academy Eindhoven, Arno Hoogland identifies as an artist and maker strongly inspired by futurism. Hoogland’s immersive interior spaces powerfully blur the line between art and function. Set to make its debut at Via Luigi Porro Lambertenghi 3, what lies at the heart of the designer’s first solo exhibition Deus Ex Machina: an ode to MDF is MDF, often dismissed as one of the least sustainable and attractive materials in interior design. Discovering a unique software that allows his CNC milling machine to “dance” with the material has enabled Hoogland to create unpredictable, organic forms through an interactive dialogue between author and machine. Built on-site from CNC-milled components, “Temple of the Future,” is an immersive installation in which craftsmanship, technology, and speculative design come alive.

WORTH x Aga Blonska & CoWave: the world's first acoustic panel based on emotional brain reactions. An innovative design method that combines human collaboration with AI technology, through CoWave, 3D objects based on emotional responses are created. EEG scans identify positive reactions to reference images. The collected data is then translated into AI language. Prompted by the AI engine, 3D objects are quickly generated in the same way. - © Aga Blonska Studio — WORTH x Aga Blonska & CoWave: the world’s first acoustic panel based on emotional brain reactions. An innovative design method that combines human collaboration with AI technology, through CoWave, 3D objects based on emotional responses are created. EEG scans identify positive reactions to reference images. The collected data is then translated into AI language. Prompted by the AI engine, 3D objects are quickly generated in the same way. – © Aga Blonska Studio

WORTH is set to transform ZonaK at Via Spalato 11 into a vibrant showcase of a plethora of projects developed within its incubator programme which is dedicated to promoting transnational collaborations between designers, creatives, manufacturing companies (SMEs), and technology companies. WORTH offers a unique space (and tools) for collaborations that foster innovative, design-oriented business ideas.

Founded by fashion designer Giorgia Conte and architect Sergio Di Pilato in 2022, Milanese design studio artetica brings together design, architecture and fashion. - © artetica — Founded by fashion designer Giorgia Conte and architect Sergio Di Pilato in 2022, Milanese design studio artetica brings together design, architecture and fashion. – © artetica

Isola has also invited a cluster of studios, workshops and galleries located in the district to open their doors to visitors in the span of this year’s edition of the festival. Amongst them, at Via Guglielmo Pepe 20, artetica, a Milan-based design studio founded in 2022 by fashion designer Giorgia Conte and architect Sergio Di Pilato, will highlight sustainable and artistic approaches to design. MAD Brussels, a platform dedicated to Brussels’s fashion and design scenes, and entrepreneurship-focused agency hub.brussels have teamed up for (UN)WRAPPED, an exhibition that investigates the act of unveiling. A selection of contemporary design pieces will be displayed at Via Gaetano de Castillia 23 against the atmospheric backdrop of draped fabric that enhances their structure and craftsmanship.

One step closer to a decade of celebrating design and fostering fresh perspectives, the Isola Design District’s 2025 festival theme and agenda will depict how creative choices have the power to shape our lives, communities, and the environment. Guided by empathy, openness, and a dose of rebelliousness, the renowned platform will spotlight the importance of designers approaching each concept with a sense of responsibility–for the self as much as for humanity as a whole.