Milano The School of Design

One of the leading figures in contemporary design joins the Mentorship Programme at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design. For the 2026/2027 academic year, Marcel Wanders will mentor students enrolled in the Master's Programme in Product & Furniture Design, guiding them through a creative journey centred on research, experimentation and design thinking.

Designer, art director and internationally acclaimed creative, Marcel Wanders has built a career that has redefined the language of product and furniture design through an approach that combines innovation, craftsmanship and imagination. His work is recognised for transforming everyday objects into meaningful experiences, going beyond functionality to create designs that tell stories, evoke emotions and establish lasting connections with people.

At the heart of his design philosophy lies a clear belief: design should do more than solve problems. It should inspire, surprise and help shape new ways of living and understanding the world. This vision encourages designers to challenge convention and embrace imagination as one of the most powerful tools in the creative process.

This approach aligns perfectly with the Master's Programme in Product & Furniture Design, which prepares professionals to develop innovative products, furniture and systems through an interdisciplinary methodology that combines design culture, research, experimentation, sustainability and manufacturing knowledge. Throughout the programme, students engage with companies, industry professionals and international partners, developing the creative, technical and strategic skills needed to address the evolving challenges of the design industry.

Within this context, Marcel Wanders' mentorship offers students an exceptional opportunity to work closely with one of the most influential voices in contemporary design. Throughout the programme, they will be encouraged to challenge their ideas, refine their creative process and develop projects while engaging directly with a designer who has consistently viewed design as both a cultural language and a driver of innovation.

For Wanders, every project is born from the balance between imagination and reality, function and emotion. It is this philosophy that has shaped his professional journey and that will now inspire students to broaden their understanding of the designer's role, encouraging them to develop an authentic and forward-looking design perspective.

Following his inspiring contribution to the IM Design Talks, where he explored the power of imagination in the creative process, Marcel Wanders returns to Istituto Marangoni Milano Design in a new role. As mentor, he will accompany the next generation of designers through an educational experience based on dialogue, experimentation and the exchange of ideas, reaffirming the school's commitment to connecting students with the leading figures shaping the future of design.