Umberto Asnago

Background

Umberto Asnago was born in 1949 in Barlassina, in the province of Milan, in the heart of the Brianza furniture district. After graduating from the Art Institute of Cantù, he began working as a designer with Giorgetti S.p.A. in 1968 and later became director of the company's Research Centre (Centro Ricerche).

Signature Style

Asnago's work grows out of a culture of craftsmanship and practical know-how. Bodema describes a strong material inspiration and a continuing curiosity for experimenting with wood essences and glass, with design solutions drawn from the observation of everyday life. He treats "design" as "project": a process that weighs aesthetics, technique, function, production requirements and use together.

Notable Works

For Giorgetti his designs include Mobius, Alexa, Aura, Hypnos, Blade, Too, Studium, Corium, Janet and Lady. Bodema names as iconic pieces the MoM lamp collection and Mamì for Penta Light, the Mobius armchair series for Giorgetti, and the Garbo armchair collection and Avatar line for i4 Mariani.

Legacy

In 2006 he left Giorgetti to work as an independent designer and creative consultant, and in 2011 he returned to the company as freelance designer of the Mobius collection. He has been art director of Penta Light, is art director and designer for i4 Mariani, and designs products for Arflex, Frigerio, Ivano Redaelli, Medea Lifestyle, Orsenigo, Porada and Bodema, as well as stands and showrooms for furnishing and fashion companies.