Anna Bernagozzi talks to M.E. about the projects to be presented by students at ENSAD (L’École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs) at the 'That's Design' event at this year's Milan Salone del Mobile. Anna is a lecturer for the Object Design section of ENSAD, a course that encourages innovation and projection from the point of view of research and production, taking into account the rapid evolution of society and the responsibilities the students will have as future professionals, consumers and citizens.

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?

The projects presented here at That’s Design were developed based on three fundamental axes linked to the educational methods of the section. The visitor will take a journey where they will discover three very specific universes that are at the same time complementary:

1. The “FAB (ulous) FAB (rication)” universe: an interdisciplinary and experimental approach unique to the school that often attracts prestigious partners from very different worlds.

2. The “INTRA” universe: the student’s interpretation of our society’s need to simplify ambient complexity through the development of intuitive Low Tech and High Tech tools that enable people to better understand and manage their daily lives.

3. The “TO(gether), TO(morrow)” universe: raising student’s awareness of “sustainable” issues such as “glocalisation”, transportation in an urban setting, water consumption in the home and at work, the use of renewable energy, recycling, etc.

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

It's fundamental for a school like the ENSAD to be present in such events.

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?

Times of crisis often let people concentrate on human's basic needs such as education, so it should be a positive year for us!!

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

Go back to fundamental human values and needs and help people solving their daily problems thanks to design.

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?

All stand proposing projects that go into the direction I cited before...

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

No idea! Probably in the most hidden and unsuspected places!