(1960 - present)
Artemide is one of the leading names in
lighting design. From humble beginnings in Pregnana Milanese, Italy, it has grown to become a global brand with manufacturing bases in Italy, France, Canada and Hungary, and 55 showrooms in major cities around the world. Having attracted some of the leading names in design over the last 60 years, Artemide collections continue to inspire audiences with their combination of innovation, style, and a philosophy of maintaining the human element in every design.
Artemide was founded by
Ernesto Gismondi in 1960. Gsimondi’s background is far from typical for a design icon. He studied Aeronautical Engineering at Milan Polytechnic and in 1959 went on to gain a degree in Missile Engineering at Rome’s Professional School of Engineering. Even when his design career took off, Gismondi was still attached to the world of engineering, and worked as associate professor of Missile Rocket Engines at Milan Polytechnic until 1984.
But it is for his design work, and the success of his company Artemide, that he will forever be remembered. From the outset, Gismondi instilled a philosophy of collaboration in the company. Starting with Sergio Mazza when the company launched, Artemide has fostered young talent and worked with numerous illustrious names from the design world. Thanks to the likes of
Vico Magistretti,
Gio Ponti,
Giancarlo Fassina, and Issey Miyake, Artemide has produced designs like Eclisse, Fati, Pipe, and IN-IE that have made major contributions to the history of international design and given the world of illumination some of its most iconic pieces.
Gismondi himself has been recognised with awards, including the Compasso d’Oro Award for Career achievements in 1994, and the European Design Prize three years later.
Innovation as well as design, sits at the heart of Artemide’s philosophy. As early as the 1970s the company was experimenting with furniture making technologies like compression moulding for their Selene range of stackable plastic chairs. In the same decade they launched Richard Sappo’s Tizio design, which was the first lamp to feature a halogen light source. Today the company has a dedicated research and development centre supported by prototyping labs, as well as 60 employees focused specifically on R&D. And it partners with leading universities, both in Italy and abroad, to ensure it remains at the forefront of technological advances.
But Artemide is still, at its heart, a human company. Their corporate philosophy, “The Human Light” is focused on ensuring that all Artemide’s designs are built around people and their wellbeing. In 2019 they joined the United Nations Global Compact with the goal of making the company's strategy and daily operations as sustainable as possible, and producing annual reports on how the company is actively following the 17 sustainable development goals set out by the programme.
Through a combination of innovation, design flair, and careful management, Artemide has given the world some of lighting’s most iconic designs, whilst at the same time building lights that simply aim to improve the quality of life of the people who use them.