Formafantasma named Designers of the Year at Monocle Design Awards 2026

Formafantasma, a design studio based in Milan and established in 2009 by Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin, has been recognized as Designers of the Year in Monocle's 2026 Design Awards. Operating from a repurposed printing facility in the Crescenzago and Cimiano areas, the duo engages in both client projects and independent research that investigates ecological, historical, political, and social dynamics. Over their 15-year journey, they have created academic programs at Design Academy Eindhoven, authored books that clarify environmental science, and devised design-oriented business strategies for furniture brands like Artek from Finland. Their recent endeavors include spatial design for Marni's Milan Fashion Week, exhibition design for the new Fondation Cartier in Paris, and lighting for Flos in Italy. Farresin, in an interview, critiqued the design sector's tendency to oversimplify and underestimate audiences, while Trimarchi highlighted the significance of illustrating connections rather than eliminating friction. They drew inspiration from figures like Enzo Mari and Charles and Ray Eames. Their Superwire lamp for Flos showcases their philosophy, being a repairable design that evolved from prior research on electronic waste.