A Passion for Design

Art and science are inextricably entwined in the history of Italian industry. This bond can be seen in objects that are the result of research, experimentation, creativity, and effective communication. In this workshop, the students will examine the process that leads from the initial concept to the manufacture and marketing of a product. They will see how scientific, artistic, and design skills come together and ultimately lead to the development of innovative solutions. Looking through designs, patents, advertising posters, and magazines, they will piece together how rubber items evolved – from shoe soles to toys, through to swimsuits and tyres. They will also see Pirelli’s role in using rubber to reshape the world of play, life at home, and above all, sports and transport.

The students will end up creating an illustrated fanzine specially tailored for fans of design culture. Through texts, images, and in-depth analyses, the students will show how objects can bear witness to their time, illustrating the innovations, cultural shifts, and shared memory, while mapping out the history of their era, with its underlying significance and impact on the lives of its people.

The activity is divided into three sessions, and may be held in hybrid form (first session at the Pirelli Foundation, followed by two online sessions) or fully online (three sessions).