Milani celebrates its 60th anniversary

Milani Design that set new standards in medical technology

Milani has been at home in medical technology for over 60 years - and we're celebrating! Back in the 1960s, agency founder Francesco Milani laid the foundations to become Europe's premier destination for complex medical device design. Since then, we have helped medical device companies develop groundbreaking products that are now used in hospitals and home care around the world.

Join us on a journey through the past full of pioneering designs that have made history.

Highlight 1

A Quiet Revolution: How Milani and Dräger Transformed Neonatal Care

Sometimes revolutions start quietly. When Milani and Dräger began collaborating in the 1980s, few could have predicted the profound impact we would have on the care of premature babies. Yet, together we achieved just that—with the Caleo incubator, a groundbreaking innovation that not only advanced medical technology but also redefined care by prioritizing closeness and security.

Launched in 2001, the Caleo introduced a whole new perspective on neonatal care. For the first time, the focus expanded beyond medical monitoring to include developmental care. A standout feature was the pioneering “kangaroo mode”, which allowed parents to safely hold their premature babies skin-to-skin. This intimate contact—akin to the warmth and security of a kangaroo pouch—was not only a deeply emotional experience for families but also proved critical for the healthy development of the tiniest patients.

But the Caleo also impressed with other features: Folding doors, swivel mechanisms, and adjustable tilt functions significantly improved usability for caregivers, saving precious time in high-stakes environments. Even as its successor, Babyleo, is now widely used in hospitals, the Caleo’s legacy endures. Its groundbreaking standards in neonatal intensive care continue to shape modern practices.

Beyond its functionality, the Caleo stood out for its iconic design. Milani created the distinctive white-and-blue corporate identity that not only strengthened Dräger’s brand but also left a lasting mark on the field of medical technology.

The Caleo is just one milestone in a 32-year partnership between Milani and Dräger. Over 100 collaborative projects under the motto “Technology for Life” have consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation, leaving an indelible mark on medical technology.

The legendary Caleo incubator from Dräger set new standards in the care of premature babies.

Design sketches from the Milani archive for the Caleo: The innovative "kangaroo mode" allowed parents for the first time to sit comfortably next to their premature babies and even hold them safely outside the incubator. What is taken for granted today was a groundbreaking design innovation at the time.

Agency founder Francesco Milani works on a Dräger design project in the office in Guibasco, Ticino.

Milani also designed the famous Julian anesthesia machine for Dräger. This historic design can be admired alongside many of Francesco's other works in the Schaulager of the Museum für Gestaltung.

In more than 100 joint projects, Milani and Dräger have created innovations under the motto "Technology for life" and have played a decisive role in shaping medical technology over decades of partnership.

Highlight 2

How Milani and Medela made the Symphony an icon - and redefined the world of breastfeeding

In the 1990s, Medela, a specialist in breastpumps, breastfeeding accessories and medical vacuum solutions for surgery, was at a crucial turning point. The existing hospital and rental pumps were already several years old, and it was clear that the time was ripe for a breakthrough innovation.

That innovation was the Symphony - a science-based breastpump that fulfilled Michael Larsson's vision of developing Medela into a research-based medical device company. With the support of the University of Western Australia, Medela's engineers worked relentlessly on this ambitious project. But it was a chance meeting that made history.

At an aperitif, Medela's head of development, Andy Greter, met Britta Pukall, Milani's CEO, who was already well into her pregnancy. Design, pregnancy, baby and a new pump? Greter had the idea of asking Milani to design the Symphony. It was the beginning of a successful partnership that has lasted more than 20 years - and catapulted the Symphony to the forefront of breastfeeding technology.

In 2001, the time had come: Symphony was launched and changed the world of pumping forever. For the first time, a breastpump mimicked a baby's natural sucking rhythm - and looked anything but medical. Milani had transformed the Symphony into a design object: crafted in the style of a "beauty case" and adorned with a warm shade of yellow. This distinctive color soon became the iconic hallmark of all Medela breastfeeding products.

The market launch in Europe and the USA was a triumph: technology, comfort, efficiency and design - the Symphony set new standards in every respect and delighted the trade press, midwives and mothers alike. Symphony was also a commercial success, becoming the most sought-after hospital and rental pump.

The Symphony was instrumental in establishing Medela as the international market leader in breastpumps. In addition, Medela's patented 2-phase expression technology, which mimics a baby's natural suckling, became the standard for all Medela breastpumps - a milestone that continues to shape the world of breastfeeding today.

The Symphony revolutionizes the world of pumping with its natural suction mechanism and elegant design - all packed into a small case. Photo: Medela

Behind the scenes: from left to right: designers Carola Bartsch, Therese Naef, Britta Pukall and agency founder Francesco Milani brainstorming with a prototype of the Medela Symphony breastpump.

After the success of the Symphony, Medela continued to expand its market leadership - with innovative technology and unique design from Milani. Other highlights of the collaboration included the Harmony manual breastpump and the Swing breastpump: so compact and beautiful that it was almost considered a gadget in 2005.

Medela also successfully intensified its cooperation with Milani in the field of surgical care. Highlights: In 2000, the newly developed Dominant 50 suction pump won the Red Dot Award. In 2008, Thopaz and Invia Liberty set new standards in thoracic drainage and negative pressure wound therapy.

In a comprehensive redesign project in 2019, Milani and Medela modernized the look and feel of the breast pump portfolio, while retaining the iconic brand elements and positioning Medela even more strongly as a lifestyle brand. Another milestone will follow in 2023: the Freestyle Hands-Free, Medela's first electric breast pump that can be worn in a bra.

Highlight 3

Audéo by Sonova: The Hearing System That Broke Boundaries

2007 was a year of change: MP3 players and flip phones were all the rage, and Steve Jobs had just announced the first iPhone. AirPods? Not even a thought. In a world where hearing aids were often stigmatized and seen as unattractive, Phonak, today Sonova, set out to change the narrative. Their ambitious goal: to create Audéo SMART, the world’s smallest wireless hearing aid—smaller than a paper clip yet packed with cutting-edge features and bold design.

In partnership with Milani, Phonak envisioned something revolutionary: Audéo wouldn’t just be a hearing aid—it would be a stylish accessory, as desirable as a piece of consumer electronics. The mission was clear: transform hearing aids from a symbol of stigma to a statement of style. This vision required not only a groundbreaking product but also a forward-thinking corporate product design and a completely new platform strategy.

Audéo’s design stood out with its vibrant colors, soft shapes, and state-of-the-art microelectronics, making it as fashionable as a pair of glasses. Phonak reinforced this bold strategy with innovative marketing, showcasing Audéo as a “personal communication assistant” through fresh, unconventional imagery that challenged stereotypes.

The results were transformative. Audéo SMART garnered overwhelming global media attention, won a prestigious Red Dot Design Award, and boosted profits for Phonak hearing systems by an impressive 80%.

But the impact went far beyond commercial success. Audéo changed the way the world perceived hearing aids, and proved that design plays an important role in medical technology.

Der Sonova Audéo SMART sorgte mit seinem mutigen Design und seiner innovativen Technik in der internationalen Presse für Furore.

Highlight 4

Daysy: Pioneering Digital Fertility Trackers

The launch of the Daysy fertility tracker marked the beginning of a new era for women. As a milestone in FemTech and digital health, Daysy ushered in a new era of fertility tracking.

The story began in the 1980s, when Valley Electronics introduced Lady-Comp, one of the first digital cycle computers—long before smartphones and apps became part of daily life. Combining natural family planning with innovative temperature-based cycle analysis, Lady-Comp offered women a hormone-free birth control alternative. It was a revolutionary idea, ahead of its time, but the company envisioned something even greater: a solution for the modern woman of today.

The result was Daysy, a fertility tracker that brought cycle tracking into the digital age. Milani created a design that went far beyond a medical device: a stylish lifestyle accessory, perfectly tailored to the needs of modern women.

With its smooth shapes, intuitive interface, and seamless blend of functionality and design, Daysy became a smart everyday companion. This perfect harmony of technology, usability, and aesthetic earned Daysy the prestigious Red Dot Award in 2019.

However, Daysy’s impact extends far beyond design accolades. As the first fertility tracker with smartphone connectivity, it paved the way for a new generation of connected FemTech devices, reshaping the perception and acceptance of cycle tracking worldwide.

Both Daysy and its predecessor, Lady-Comp, are now celebrated in the award-winning book and international exhibition "Designing Motherhood", which explores how design has shaped women’s health. The exhibition is currently on display at ArkDes in Stockholm, the Swedish Center for Architecture and Design.

Both Daysy and Lady Comp are featured in the international exhibition and award-winning book "Designing Motherhood," the first to look at motherhood and reproduction through the lens of design.

The exhibition has been shown in Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Stockholm, and soon in Houston. Above right: Lady-Comp, next to Daysy.