Italian Design Day 2025 inaugurated at University of Jordan

AMMAN — The Italian embassy and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in Amman on Wednesday inaugurated the ninth edition of Italian Design Day at the Faculty of Arts and Design of the University of Jordan (UJ), which, for the second consecutive year, is hosting this event as a "prestigious" venue for design discussions.

Italian Design Day features a broad programme of promotional events worldwide, organised by the network of embassies, consulates, ITA offices abroad, and Italian cultural institutes, according to a statement from the Italian embassy. 

Every year, for this occasion, over 100 ambassadors of Italian design and creativity share their expertise and vision.

Since its first edition, Italian Design Day has established itself as an "effective" tool for promoting design and supporting the internationalisation of a "strategic" industrial sector for Italian exports.

The event in Amman, moderated by Head of the ITA Office in Amman Elisa Salazar, opened with welcoming remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design Ali Abu Ghanimeh, Italian Ambassador to Jordan Luciano Pezzotti and UJ Vice Rector Nahed Emaish. 

The opening was followed by a keynote speech from architect Alessandro Colombo, professor at the Polytechnic University of Milan, Turin, and NABA, on this year’s theme: "Inequalities - Design for a Better Life."

The lecture was followed by presentations from two professors at the University of Jordan.

Head of the Department of the Faculty of Architecture Deyala Altarawneh delivered a talk entitled "Mass Customisation in Affordable Housing: A Design Solution for Social Equity." 

Head of the Department of European Languages and an expert on Italy and the Italian language Mahmoud Jaran presented "Design and Literature: An Inclusive Synergy against Inequalities."

At the end of the seminar, at the Gallery of the Faculty of Arts and Design, Colombo, in the presence of Pezzotti and Emaish, inaugurated the exhibition "Photography for Lifetime Achievement: Italian Photography’s Homage to the Masters of the Compassod’Oro." 

The exhibition, in its full version, presents around 150 images dedicated to designers, institutions, and companies awarded the Compassod’Oro for Career Achievement from 1955 to the present.

Curated by ADI (the Association for Industrial Design), the exhibition pays tribute to the relationship between photography and design, highlighting photography not only as a documentary tool but also as a "creative" medium that has contributed to the spread and success of Italian design. 

Established in 1954, the ADI Compassod'Oro Award is the oldest and "most prestigious" design award in the world.

This year, Italian Design Day also benefits from its synergy with the upcoming International Exhibition of the Triennale di Milano, which will take place from May to November 2025, titled "Inequalities: How to Mend the Fractures of Humanity."

Italian Design Day 2025 also serves as a moment for reflection in anticipation of the 63rd edition of the Salone del Mobile Milano, which is scheduled to be held from April 8 to 13, at Rho Fiera Milano.

The exhibition "Photography for Career: A Tribute of Italian Photography to the Masters of the Compassod’Oro" will remain open at the UJ until March 9 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.