Paolo Zani
Milano, Italy

Born in Cesena, Italy in 1960. Presently lives and works in Milan. Graduated from the I.S.I.A. in Faenza (Institute for Arts and Industrial Design) in 1986. In 1987 graduated with the Masters Degree in Industrial Design from Domus Academy, Milan. As an independent designer he has designed ceramic tiles (Marazzi, Ascot, Gabbianelli), hi-fi accessories (Ross El.), porcelain tableware (Winterling and Bareuther, Cierre accessories), wall to wall carpets (Louis de Poortere), eyewear (Optyl Holding), chairs (V. Bonacina, Kristalia), cutlery (Lagostina, Sant'Andrea), home furniture (Schopenhauer), light fittings (Arbos, Lumen Center, Candle, Fontana Arte), kitchen accessories and tableware (Fissler, Cierre accessories), carpets (Moroso), mobile phones (Fujitsu). He also collaborated in developing office seatings (Artifort and Steelcase Strafor), light fittings (Lumiance), home appliances (SanGiorgio), writing instruments, watches and leather accessories (Mont Blanc). In 1992, he established 'Warli', a collection of contemporary carpets and rugs manufactured in India. Both these collections are manufactured by local weavers, handknotted according to traditional techniques now distributed worlwide by ‘Moroso'. He collaborated as Art Director and corporate graphic designer for 'Lumen Center' an Italian manufacturer of light fittings. With 'Alessi' he collaborated to the project and the book 'La Cintura di Orione'. Since 2001 he is art director and chief designer of ‘Cierre accessories', Italian manufacturer of kitchen accessories and tableware. Exhibitions and competitions 1984 Project of a table lamp mentioned at the 'Staff Preis Design' Competition, Design , Stuttgart, Germany. 1985. 1° Prize 'Lady's headphones' Competition, Ross Electronics, England. 1985. '5 'o clock tea time'. Exhibition of designer's teapots. Lu Austoni Gallery, Milan. 1986. 1° Mexidesign Contest. Louis de Poortere, Domus, Snia Fibre. Milan. 1986. 'Hallo Mr. Toby'. Exhibition of designer's jugs. Lu Austoni Gallery, Milan. 1988. 'Piatto Matto'. Exhibition of designer's ceramic plates. Lu Austoni Gallery, Milan. 1989. International Design Association. Axis Center, Tokyo. 1989. 1° Prize for 'Interno e Intorno. Prospects of colour and decor in home enviroment' 1989. Competion. Louis de Poortere, Snia Fibre. Milan. 1990. 'Design Balneare 3'. Exhibition in Cattolica. 1991. United Distillers Design Competition. Accessories for 'Dimple Whisky', Milan-Hamburg. 1992. 'Warli', 9 carpets in a show. Exhibition at 'Shed', Milan. 1997. 1° Biennale d'Arte Ceramica, Spezzano 2000. iMade. Material innovation in the Italian furniture industry. Milan's Furniture Fair 2001. 3° Prize Macef with ‘Fleurs' porcelain tableware for Cierre accessories 2002. 2° Prize Macef with ‘Ellipse' wooden bowl for Cierre accessories Teaching experiences: 1989 Seminar on 'Italian Design from the '80' at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India. 1998 Visiting Professor at the 'Kent Institute of Art & Design' Rochester, England 2000 Visiting Professor at the 'National College of Arts & Design', Dublin, EIRE 2001 Visiting Professor at Kuopio Academy of Design, Finland Since 1995 he Tutor for the 'Industrial Design' course at 'I.S.I.A.' Faenza. Since 2001 he teaches ‘History of Design' at ‘Istituto Europeo di Design', Dept. Of Visual Communication, Milan