Martina Gamboni answers our questions about the 2009 Milan Furniture fair, her current projects, the financial crisis, and other important things - such as the best party in town.

What have you been working on recently? Would you be able to give us any sneak previews of new projects you might be showing at Milan this year?

On the occasion of the Milan Design Week 2009 I will follow several projects and among them, a big event: the first edition of the Public Design Festival, a project dedicated to the Public Space of our cities form the point of view of design. At the Spazio Rossana Orlandi the event “Plasticism” will take place: from the concept of JVLT a series of projects about mutations, reflections and experimentation around plastic realized for the new design brand PLUST Collection by Chris Kabel, El Ultimo Grito, Laudani&Romanelli and Alberto Brogliato. Last but not least, the project “Dismettiamola!”, a design survey by 16 designers of the new generation about the topical problem of “how to waste garbage”, a tiny exhibition where I’m sure you will find out the names of the designers of tomorrow.

What does exhibiting at the Salone del Mobile mean for you? How would you describe the positives (and maybe negatives?) of the experience?

Exhibiting at the Milan Design Week is for sure an advantage, an international chance to see and be seen…but there are many risks if the various aspects involved in the organization and in the management of a stand or an event are not precisely calculated. The design field, most of all in the last few years, needs an ongoing analysis of the components that constitute the product: from the brand identity to the packaging, the communication and so on. The good quality of an idea together with the design implications are the most important part of the process but also style and shape shouldn’t be missed.

 We're sorry, it has to be asked - How do you think the current economic situation will affect the climate in the design world, and particularly this year's Milan Salone? Do you foresee any positive or negative knock on effects or adaptations that might happen as a result?

It’s impossible to avoid the crisis periods that happen sometimes, the best thing to do is to turn them in favourable chances. Companies and designers should take advantages of this time for reflecting not on the present, but on what will happen once the crisis has ended. This year there will be less companies exhibiting and less events - a sort of natural selection? According to the subject of the crisis I will like to signal you the interesting exhibition “Design Crisis” where JoeVelluto + Yet Matilde have invited me and other professionals coming from different fields for living our critical vision on this unusual historical moment.

Do you have any predictions for trends in design this year?

I think that in a little while we will see the return to the material, the natural, ecological and real one that not compulsorily will should contrast with the discovery of new materials obtained thanks to cutting-edge technologies. I also believe that we will see different projects able to answer to the new habits carried by the new lifestyle and new solutions for private spaces, always smaller, as the studio in the private houses, places with a double identity and a double function.

Is there anything you're especially looking forward to at this year's Salone? Can you let us in on the stands you'll be checking out for yourself/selves or new names to watch?

Skitch, a new brand that will open officially its first showroom in Milan, presenting 50 projects created by important designers under the artistic direction of Cristina Morozzi.

And of course, its not all work! Where do you think this year's best Salone party will be?

I have no doubt! The Gloss Party by Pandora Design scheduled for Thursday the 23rd at the Annapurna Showroom in Via Stendhal.