Isao Hosoe: The Poet of Italian Industrial Design
Isao Hosoe (1942–2015) was a Japanese-born industrial designer and architect who became one of the most original voices in Italian design. After moving to Italy in the late 1960s, Hosoe quickly established himself in Milan's dynamic design scene, blending his technical background with creativity, playfulness, and human-centered innovation.

From Tokyo to Milan
Hosoe studied aeronautical engineering at Nihon University in Tokyo before moving to Italy in 1967. There, he collaborated with Alberto Rosselli at Studio Ponti/Fornaroli/Rosselli, and in 1985 he founded his own studio, Isao Hosoe Design. His work spanned product design, lighting, furniture, transportation, and exhibition design, always guided by ergonomics, movement, and the user experience.

Key Collaborations and Designs
Hosoe worked with iconic brands such as:

Valenti – including the creation of the Hebi Lamp (1970), a flexible, snake-like lamp that remains a classic of modern lighting.

Technogym, Guzzini, Luxo, and Domodinamica, among others.
His objects often embodied a playful interaction, favoring curved lines, modularity, and motion, challenging the rigid conventions of functional design.

Teaching & Legacy
In addition to his professional work, Hosoe was a passionate educator, teaching at leading design institutions like Politecnico di Milano, Domus Academy, and ISIA in Florence. He believed design should be intuitive, emotional, and accessible.

His work has been exhibited at institutions such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Triennale di Milano, and remains highly regarded for its ingenuity, elegance, and sense of humor.