From April 7 to 13, Isola Design Festival 2025 will explore the theme Design is Human, focusing on the importance of human experience in the design process. With a focus on human and environmental well-being, sustainability and the integration of digital innovation and traditional craftsmanship, the festival reflects on the social and environmental impact of design.
Gabriele Cavallaro, co-founder and CEO of Isola Design Group, emphasizes how designers today are called to play a responsible role in responding to the diverse needs of people and the planet.
Filo by NOI Creative – © NOI Creative
Among the most eagerly awaited proposals of the district, including the exhibitions at the new location of Basic Village (via dell’Aprica 1), one of the most relevant focuses concerns contemporary Indian craftsmanship, the result of constant research by Isola Design Studio. Over the years, the group has built up a global network that explores cultures and trends, and now presents a selection of projects that combine Indian tradition and innovative design.
Cinch by Orikrit – © Arya Arora
The centerpiece of this exploration is the exhibition Rasa – The Indian Collective, which will be held at the Viafarini space (Via Carlo Farini 35). Curated by Nidhi Chandak and Varun E S, part of Isola Studio’s team in India, the exhibition celebrates Indian craftsmanship through the reinterpretations of some 15 Indian designers who try their hand at a variety of materials such as blown glass, marble, textiles, terrazzo made from construction waste, sandstone, woven bamboo and wood. The term “rasa,” which in Sanskrit evokes the emotional experience associated with creativity, encapsulates the intent of the exhibition: to explore design as a journey that blends craft history, culture, and innovation.
Umeni – © Umeni
Aathirai by Pravi – © Kunal Panchal
There are many interesting pieces on display: Aathirai by Pravi is a series of lamps inspired by the intricate decorative elements typical of ancient Indian craft traditions, infused with a contemporary aesthetic; Mudra by Beyond Dreams is a chaise longue with organic lines, named after the sacred hand gesture that symbolizes mindfulness and balance: An invitation to create a place of peace in the home; Cinch by Okikrit is a design that reinvents the traditional art of smocking, honeycomb embroidery, combining the rigidity of bamboo with the fluidity of fabric, resulting in a three-dimensional work that is organic and alive.
Loop Lounger by Andblack Design, design studio Nilesh Panchal
Also from Rasa – The Indian Collective, Andblack Design Studio‘s Loop furniture series redefines the interior with fluid lines and real materials: each piece is almost a sculpture, and at the same time functional furniture that transcends fashion. In Umeni‘s collection, inspired by various Indian craft techniques, pieces blend natural textures, earthy tones and sculptural forms, creating a poetic contrast between structure and fluidity, complexity and minimalism. Handcrafted with a commitment to sustainability, the collection offers bespoke furniture.
Beyond Dreams – © Beyond Dreams
An innovative aspect of the exhibition is the collaboration with Nouz3D, an Indian large-format 3D printing company, which will produce the bases and pedestals for the exhibits, putting technology at the service of creativity.
