In the previous module of the Master in Product & Furniture Design, students at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design had the opportunity to embark on a unique educational experience: a collaboration with Cassina, one of the most iconic brands in Italian design.
They were guided along the way by an exceptional mentor: Elena Salmistraro, a visionary designer and refined storyteller of form.

The concept: when furniture told a story

The project, evocatively titled “Enchanted Poetry”, invited students to explore the concept of animism in design.
The goal was to create a furniture piece that went beyond function—one that evoked emotion, told a story, and forged human connection. An object that, in its own way, “breathed” with those who lived alongside it, in harmony with Cassina’s poetic and innovative spirit.

An approach between discipline and imagination

Under the guidance of professor Lorenzo Bustillos, participants developed projects that blended rigorous design thinking with expressive freedom, experimented with materials, forms, and colors.
The collaboration with Cassina offered deep insight into the core values of Italian craftsmanship—technical excellence, stylistic research, and a forward-thinking attitude.

Elena Salmistraro: empathy and vision

With her poetic touch and narrative-driven approach, Elena Salmistraro encouraged students to “listen” to objects and gave voice to form.
Her role as mentor enriched every phase of the project, offered fresh perspectives, and helped each participant strengthen their personal design identity.

Projects as visual stories

Through sketches, models, renderings, and prototypes, each student built a project conceived as a three-dimensional narrative.
The final proposals reflected a contemporary design vision while honored Cassina’s cultural legacy, striking a balance between function, art, and poetry.

An inspiring design ecosystem

This collaboration represented another key moment in the educational journey at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, reinforcing the importance of dialogue between academia, industry, and creative minds.
A dynamic ecosystem where talent, intuition, and vision came together to bring to life what we defined as excellence in design.