Alice Rawsthorn in conversation with Simone Farresin of Formafantasma – Design talks

Design expert Alice Rawsthorn hosts a series of conversations at Nationalmuseum in Stockholm with some of the world’s most renowned designers on how design can contribute to positive social development. How do they work to find solutions to complex problems? The fourth guest in the conversation series was Simone Farresin, co-founder of the Italian design studio Formafantasma. 🎬 Chapters 00:00 – Opening 00:23 – Welcome to Nationalmuseum – Introduction by Patrick Amsellem 01:28 – Introducing Alice Rawsthorn – Design critic and author 02:00 – Introducing Simone Farresin and Formafantasma 02:33 – Alice’s Opening Remarks – A radical force in contemporary design 🎓 Part 1: Education & Early Practice 04:41 – From Italy to Eindhoven – Finding a new approach to design education 07:49 – Starting Formafantasma – Establishing an independent practice 09:15 – Beyond Objects – Exploring design’s possibilities and problems 10:28 – Early Breakthroughs – Craft, migration and national identity 11:56 – Botanica – Investigating alternatives to conventional plastics 12:13 – Ore Streams – From material experimentation to systems and supply chains 🇮🇹 Part 2: Returning to Italy & Design Influences 12:50 – Moving to Milan – Reconnecting with Italy and industry 14:35 – Italian Design Culture – Education, aesthetics and identity 16:09 – Enzo Mari – Design, politics and the conditions of labour 17:25 – Radical Design – Imagining different ways of living 🌱 Part 3: Politics, Ecology & Industry 18:11 – Design Is Political – How Formafantasma’s approach has evolved 20:34 – Investigating the Timber Industry – Research at Serpentine 21:14 – Working with Artek – Translating research into practical change 22:27 – Collaborating with Maharam – Rethinking wool textiles and distribution 🏛️ Part 4: Exhibition Design & Sustainability 23:17 – Designing Exhibitions – Creating spaces for art and ideas 25:09 – The Rijksmuseum – A first major exhibition commission 26:27 – Ecological Responsibilities – Working with cultural institutions 27:53 – The Venice Biennale – Sustainability, construction and reuse 29:05 – Working with Serpentine – Taking on an ecological advisory role 💬 Part 5: Prada Frames 29:30 – Introducing Prada Frames – Expanding the conversation at Milan Design Week 30:18 – How It Began – From an initial proposal to a symposium 31:35 – Bringing in Other Voices – Connecting design with wider knowledge 32:30 – Future Ambitions – Education, fellowships and producing knowledge 💡 Part 6: Products & New Directions 34:19 – Industrial Design – Balancing commercial work and principles 35:40 – SuperWire for Flos – Developing a replaceable LED light source 36:25 – A Changing Industry – Ownership, growth and creative challenges 36:52 – New Projects – Publications, exhibitions and creative direction ❓ Audience Q&A 38:50 – Audience Questions – Moderated by Cilla Robach 39:39 – Dream Projects – Designing for ageing and the end of life 40:54 – Giving Form to Research – Aesthetics, materials and representation 44:29 – Advice for Emerging Designers – Ambition, compromise and embracing failure 46:46 – Why Design Is Always Political – Production, access and everyday life 50:42 – Working with Contradictions – Compromise and creative independence 🔚 Closing 51:18 – Closing Remarks – Thanks and gifts 52:48 – An Invitation to Explore Nationalmuseum 53:09 – Closing Music