Milano The School of Design

For the academic year 2025–2026, Istituto Marangoni Milano Design reconfirms the strategic importance of the Mentorship programme, an initiative that brings some of the most renowned professionals in the industry directly into the classroom.

Mentorship offers a unique opportunity for students: to engage in direct dialogue with professionals who live and shape the design world every day, receive hands-on feedback on real projects, and experience authentic work dynamics. This direct connection adds enormous value to the educational path, bringing it closer to the reality of the job market and preparing tomorrow’s talents with a practical and informed approach.

Here are the mentors confirmed for the academic year 2025–2026:

• Elena Salmistraro – Undergraduate Courses in Visual Design / Interior Design / Product Design
  Product designer and artist, Elena Salmistraro is known for her distinctive and expressive visual language, merging illustration, design, and art. She has collaborated with brands such as Alessi, Cappellini, and Timberland, bringing emotional and narrative depth into the design world.
• Lorenzo Cappannari / AnotheReality –Undergraduate Course in Design Innovation for Emerging Technologies
  CEO and co-founder of AnotheReality, Lorenzo Cappannari is a leading expert in the metaverse, gaming, and extended reality. After working with Accenture, Vodafone, and Boston Consulting Group, he now leads one of Italy’s top studios focused on immersive and interactive digital design.
• Piero Lissoni – Master in Product & Furniture Design                                                                                             
• Renowned globally as a multidisciplinary architect and designer, Piero Lissoni is known for his essential and rigorous style. As the head of Lissoni & Partners, he has designed for major international brands including B&B Italia, Cassina, and Flos, as well as luxury hospitality projects worldwide.
• Odoardo Fioravanti – Master in Human-Robot Interaction
  Award-winning industrial designer and Compasso d’Oro recipient, Odoardo Fioravanti brings a humanistic and poetic approach to product design. His work reflects a deep interest in behaviours, creating functional and socially relevant solutions.
• Luca Fuso – Master in Design Management for Strategic Innovation
  CEO of Cassina and, since 2023, also CEO of Zanotta, Luca Fuso boasts an international career with senior roles at Ferrari, Diesel, B&B Italia, and Safilo. His approach combines strategic vision, brand leadership, and a deep understanding of contemporary Italian design.
• Carlo Colombo – Master in Interior Contract Design
  Recognised as one of the most important Italian architects and designers, Carlo Colombo has worked with top international design brands. His work spans from furniture to architecture, characterised by formal elegance and meticulous attention to detail.
• M&C Saatchi – Master in Digital Art Direction
  M&C Saatchi Group is the world’s largest independent communications network, headquartered in London with over 2,400 employees globally. Its creative approach, based on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought,” aims to generate bold and powerful ideas that work across all media and platforms.
• Francesco Bernabei / Monogrid – Master in Digital Design for Immersive Experiences
  Founder and Creative Director of Monogrid, a digital studio based in Florence specialising in immersive and interactive experiences. Bernabei collaborates with leading fashion and luxury brands on projects that blend creativity and technology, from AI to the metaverse.