Building a path to design: From aspiring to emerging

Abstract

Within the field of contemporary design, the step between the academic path and one’s future professional life represents a delicate phase, especially where it requires creative ambition and an understanding of a dynamic market. This thesis refers to this transition, repeating the steps of personal growth, personal design value refinement, and direct contact with the European design industry.

Through participation in events and international fairs, it has been possible for me to gain valuable knowledge and develop a strategy to better present my projects to firms and professionals. The analysis of these experiences goes beyond the mere presentation of a product, but rather considers all aspects connected to such events, including logistics, event selection, communication preparation to build a reliable presentation, and cresting a design identity.

This thesis offers a reflection on the challenges of an emerging designer in a competitive world and the steps taken to slowly bloom, seeking a collaboration with a company and general exposure in this field.

In this thesis, I analyzed the experiences and learnings made during the design and collectible exhibitions I have taken part to. This includes, further than the product displays, approaching companies, organizing and managing logistics, and receiving feedback from the public and professionals. In the light of the presentations of my projects at various events, I developed a furniture project. Based on these experiences, this project was presented in a more refined manner to the public and especially to furniture at the Salone del Mobile 2025 fair, within the Salone Satellite section dedicated to young and emering designers.

With the experiences gained through participation in exhibitions, I evaluated the significance of design fairs within the field of design and particularly the furniture design sector.

I assessed how they attract a diverse audience, including industry professionals, media representatives, magazine editors, and craftsmen; analyzing the the different interactions and outcomes from these expereinces.