Domus Academy School of Design at NewSchool Dean, Elena Pacenti, Presents At Italian Design Day at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles

Elena Pacenti, Dean of Domus Academy School of Design at NewSchool of Architecture & Design, presented on how she incorporates the essence of Italian design into her work at NewSchool. Her presentation was part of Italian Design Day, hosted at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. Pacenti had the honor of introducing Ambassador of Italian Design Lorenzo Damiani, a visiting designer from Italy who specializes in furniture and product design.

Italian Design Day took place in 100 cities worldwide, celebrating the importance of Italian Design in both the design world and everyday life.

Pacenti’s presentation “What Italian Design Means,” discussed what defines Italian Design and why it is so important, especially in educating and inspiring her students. According to Elena, the driving forces of Italian Design include: Passion, Sensuality, Quality of life, Quality of product, Food and Masterpieces

She covered a vast landscape of Italian design icons, highlighting well-known Italian designers and products such as Bialetti’s Moka Express coffee maker and Marcello Nizzoli’s Lettera 22 typewriter. Pacenti says Italian Design focuses on the beauty of everyday objects noting that, “Design in Italian is not a verb; to design is a culture.” She went on to say, “The meaning of Italian design is envisioning. It is not only style, but a projection of what makes sense for people.”

Pacenti comes from Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, one of the top-ranked design schools in the world, bringing her professional and academic expertise in design-related fields to NewSchool. Pacenti previously directed the Design School at Domus Academy in Italy. She was director of the Domus Academy Research Center from 2002 through 2009, where she oversaw the development and coordination of design innovation research projects for the European Union and for government and private groups in Italy. In 2011, she established the Master in Service and Experience Design program at Domus Academy.

Pacenti brings her experience and expertise to not only our students, but she highly respected and a strong influence in the local San Diego design community as well.

For more information on Domus Academy School of Design at NewSchool of Architecture & Design or to interview Elena Pacenti, please contact Rachael Lighty at rlighty@newschoolarch.edu.