Within the expansive array of design exhibitions that showcase the latest trends from around the world at Salone del Mobile.Milano, SaloneSatellite remains an “outpost of creativity” that focuses on the potential of young product designers under the age of 35. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the design showcase–that was initiated and is still curated by Marva Griffin Wilshire–continues to champion a vision for the future of design. Over the years, SaloneSatellite has provided a crucial platform for the new generation with many of the prototypes presented having gone into production and many of the 14000 designers and 270 international design schools that have taken part gaining due recognition. The showcase is a recognition of the hope designers present for the future and the persistence with which younger practices focus on humanity’s prevailing challenges such as environmental degradation, socio-economic disparities or the climate crisis through the perspective of design.

This year included the participation of 600 designers from 32 countries, along with 22 international design schools and universities from 13 countries, from Saudi Arabia to China to even Serbia. Within one of the foremost design weeks in Milan and all over the world, SaloneSatellite has created its own network of people, schools, entrepreneurs and companies centred on championing young practices. Among the initiatives it has pioneered, the SaloneSatellite Award rewards the three best projects presented in each edition, giving these designers an extra boost to their career and a recognition of their talent.

Winners for the 13th edition of the design award were chosen from over 100 participants by a jury of experts, chaired once again by Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design of the MoMA, New York. Marva Griffin Wilshire presented the award ceremony before a large audience at Rho Fiera Milano; along with Antonelli and Maria Porro, President of the Salone del Mobile.Milano on April 17th 2024. Reminiscing on Satellite’s goals and what the Awards now recognis e, Wilshire shared, “I'm happy for the young people who achieved their goal. When I created this project, the young designers had just one wish: to enter the Salone del Mobile.Milano and make themselves known.”

The winners for this edition of the design prize represent how the future of design is truly diverse–with each coming from a range of different geographies–and also how it is concerned not only with good, innovative design but responsible, sustainable design as well. This year, the jury awarded Chinese designers, Studio Ololoo’s lamp design with the first prize, while Italian-Danish designer Filippo Andrighetto, and Italy-based Egoundesign were awarded the second and third prizes respectively. A special mention was awarded to the Tunisian designers, Mohamed Romani, Chems Eddine Mechri and Ahmed Bssilaper along with the Róng Design Award which includes a one month residency at the Rong Design Library in the Yuhang district of Hangzhou, China. In addition to the usual diploma, a metal sculpture inspired by the Singer “chair for very short visits” designed by Bruno Munari in 1945 was given to the winners as a memento of their participation. The sculpture was designed by the artist Daniele Basso, who himself made his debut at a previous edition of the event.

The winning design, Deformation Under Pressure by Studio Ololoo was recognised for its experimental approach and innovative use of inflatable PVC with a tensioned aluminium structure. As Zhen Bian of the design practice shared, “For this lamp I worked on shape, light, materials, movement. This award means a lot, it's a recognition of my work as a designer.”

A bookcase design, Veliero, won Filippo Andrighetto, an Italian-Danish designer second place. The jury commended the use of wood for the design and its construction, made with interlocking elements, thus eliminating the need for screws or glues. On winning the prize, Andrighetto said, “I use natural and honest materials [in my work]. This award means that I am on the right path.”

Third place was awarded to Italian design studio Egoundesign’s Voronoi, a set of 3D printed brass cups as recognition for their inventive manufacturing process using 3D printing technologies. Speaking about the project, Luca Mercadent, one of the five founders of Egoundesign, said, “We were inspired by a trip to Asia, where we observed the art of ‘Stone Balancing’, a meditative and playful practice of placing stones one on top of the other. A strong vision that we have realised with 3D4Mec, the first company to have developed industrial 3D printers for brass.”

Finally, the special mention awardees, Tunisian designers Mohamed Romani, Chems Eddine Mechri and Ahmed Bssilaper were felicitated for their lamp design, Fibra. The jury appreciated the renewed approach to using traditional materials in everyday objects by the designers.

In addition to the Award ceremony, two talks were held, the first of which celebrated 10 designers from past iterations of Satellite, and the second which was a conversation between Nasir Kassamali, co-founder of Luminaire and Tony Chambers highlighted best practices for presenting, communicating, and selling design. The event also launched an online design store in collaboration with FrankBros, giving permanent visibility to a selection of product designs from the fair.

Stay tuned to STIR's coverage of Milan Design Week 2024 which showcases the best of exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands and events to look out for. Explore EuroCucina and all the design districts—Fuorisalone, 5vie Design Week, Isola Design Week, Brera Design District and Porta Venezia Design District.