Italian Design · 4 min read
Italian Design Discipline — What It Actually Means
'Italian design' is one of the most overused phrases in the global furniture industry. SOISU uses the term deliberately, and it is worth explaining what we mean.
By Rohan Shah
It is printed on brochures from brands that have never worked with an Italian designer, applied to furniture manufactured in factories that have no connection to Italian craft traditions. SOISU uses the term deliberately.
Three principles of Italian design discipline
- Proportion — every dimension is calculated for visual balance and body ergonomics.
- Material honesty — full-grain leather develops a patina, solid wood is chosen for grain and structure.
- Handcraft — joints, stitches and finishes are done by skilled artisans, not machines.