I was born in Venice in 1982, where I studied graphic design. I work especially as a designer for craftsmanship, graphics and I teach at the Istituto Europeo di Design. In 2016 I decided to go back to university, and I graduated in Cultural Heritage in Rome with a special interest in archeology and ancient art.
As a reaction to my “two-dimensional” education (graphics and web) I feel a deep attraction for “real” materials. By “real” I mean “honest”, the ones which show their nature without imitating other materials or hiding flaws.
Marble, wood, ceramic, glass, are all part of our craftsmanship tradition and is still easy to approach them thanks to the many workshops. The common heritage of knowledge which we can gain, is invaluable.
Marble workers, potters, carpenters, glass workers are actually happy to transmit knowledge on materials and processes and are a huge source of inspiration for my creative process. Some products are, so to speak, born in the field, in the laboratory, observing the work of the artisan, the raw materials and tools.
The projects are not born out of nowhere, they are a synthesis of this widespread knowledge, my experiences and tastes combined with research on materials.
It is difficult to establish the boundary between “my” and “our” project, but I think it is the biggest value of my work.
– Davide-Giulio Aquini
Highlights
2022
Volubilis exhibition in Murano, Venezia;
2018
Wellness&Wonder exhibition with Wallpaper* magazine in Brera, Milano;
Wallpaper* Design Award: “Best Home Lab”.
2017
Operae – Design Exhibition in Turin;
Lecturer and guest @ conference “In Contest” – Milan by Superficial Studio (thanks to Zaira Magliozzi and Source);
Salone del Mobile Milano – Isola Fuorisalone “Obstacles & Solutions” (thanks to Source and Valia Barriello);
Salone del Mobile Milano – 5Vie Fuorisalone “Dark Ages”;
Under 35 – La Triennale di Milano in New Delhi, India (thanks to Silvana Annicchiarico).
2016
Operae – Design Exhibition in Turin;
Under 35 – La Triennale di Milano in Buenos Aires, Argentina (thanks to Silvana Annicchiarico);
New Craft – La Triennale di Milano;
Vetro e Profumo – Exhibition in the Museum of Perfume of Venice (thanks to Igor Zanti);
Tante Volte Sette – Exhibition by Galleria Fuori le Mura Verona (thanks to Sebastiano Zanetti);
DoppiaFirma – Design Exhibition by Fondazione Cologni, Living RCS, Yoox.com (thanks to Studio Salaris);
Salone del Mobile Milano – Bloft Fuorisalone (thanks to Gum Design).
2015
Cascina Cuccagna Milano – Giacimenti Urbani (thanks to Maria Giovanna Fra);
Operae – Design Exhibition in Turin;
Source Firenze – Self Made Design Exhibition (thanks to Ass. Altrove);
Design&Crafts Arquà Petrarca – Design Exhibition (thanks to Paolo De Lucchi);
Cascina Cuccagna Milano – Good Design Fuorisalone (thanks to Elisa Ossino);
Salone del Mobile Milano – Lambrate Fuorisalone.
2014
Maison&Object Paris – The Macarons, The Fragiles and Duna @ Gervasoni Stand (thanks to Elena Caponi);
Artefiera Bologna – Marbled Collection @ Artribune Stand (thanks to Valia Barriello);
Curvapura Roma – Duna @ 9 Minutes by Offiseria (thanks to Gradosei);
Source Firenze – Self Made Design Exhibition (thanks to Ass. Altrove);
Salone del Mobile Milano – Lambrate Fuorisalone.
2013
Winner of Formabilio Contest “Add On” with Piazze;
Winner of Formabilio Contest “Happy Combination” with Stac.
2012
Temporary Museum for New Design – Milano Zona Tortona during Salone del Mobile 2012;
Shortlisted for international competition “Design Time” by Breil and designboom with Eclissi.
2011
First place “Ilide Light Design” with Matera and Venezia.
2010
Lecturer and guest @ Festival TNT “Young Italian Talents” – Rome by Italian Government;
Third place at international competition “Thinking outside the parking box” by Nissan and designboom with Parkscope.
2009
Shortlisted for international competition “It’s Aperitivo Time” by Peroni, Alessi and designboom.
2007
Shortlisted for international competition “Bright LED” by Biennale of Seoul and designboom.
2000
Shortlisted for competition “Ho un’idea addosso” Peggy Guggenheim Foundation.