Isola Design District Goes Digital for 2020 Edition

The Isola Design District in Milan is launching a virtual platform on June 15, 2020, to replace its physical Fuorisalone event amid the pandemic. The digital district, called Isola Goes Digital, will feature a virtual exhibition in an abandoned factory, live streams, gaming, and 360° tours of local galleries like Galleria Angelo della Pergola and Spinzi Design. Project manager Gabriele Cavallaro explained that the initiative aims to create an open-source digital system for emerging designers, brands, and users. The district, founded in 2017, previously participated in the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. The virtual exhibition will host 20-25 designers, with a focus on biomaterials as alternatives to plastic. Over 300 applications from young designers and students were received, with about 70 selected for a year-long online showcase. The platform will also include the Isola Design Magazine with national and international contributions. Future plans include VR compatibility for international fairs and a hybrid online-offline event in spring 2021. User access is free without mandatory login.