Constantly evolving since 1963

The History of Milani

Milani lives a paradox. We are a heritage company built for innovation. Having grown out of product design, the constant evolution of our services is our most effective anti-aging strategy. For more than 60 years, the same question has driven us: How can design improve people's everyday lives?

1963 – Studio Milani is founded: Francesco Milani opens his studio for industrial design and visual communication in Giubiasco, Ticino. The beginning of a design history that will soon reach far beyond Switzerland.

1960s – Pioneering medical technology design: Milani becomes Europe's leading name in highly complex medical technology design. Even then, one principle holds: design isn't decoration, it's part of function and ergonomics.

1970 – The Moon Watch, precursor to the smartwatch. We think about design from the future backward, not from the present forward. That's already true in 1970: with the "Moon Watch" and its added functions, Milani develops the concept of a smartwatch decades before it becomes an everyday object.

1970s – Tetra packaging becomes a cult object: Milani designs Switzerland's first modern Tetra packaging. The colorful, boldly illustrated tetrahedrons become a cult object in every Swiss household.

1970s/80s – From chocolate to industrial machinery: Beyond medical technology, Milani takes on an ever-broader range of industries: consumer goods, packaging, and industrial machines several meters tall expand the agency's design universe.

Part of Swiss design history: The Milani Archive is acquired by the Federal Office of Culture. The work is now on display in the archive and collection center of the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich.

1997 – A new generation. Designer Britta Pukall begins working with Francesco Milani. New perspectives meet decades of design experience.

2000 – New offices in Erlenbach: Milani moves into new premises in Erlenbach on Lake Zurich. Another step in the agency's growth.

2002 – New ownership, new direction: Britta Pukall becomes the new owner and takes over leadership of the company together with Therese Naef. The agency grows steadily, continuously expanding its expertise into new fields.

2008 – A move to Thalwil: Milani moves into new, larger offices with a view over Lake Zurich — and more room for new ideas.

2010 – Entering Transportation Design: Milani's specialization in the design of public transport and tourism mobility begins, leading directly to the SBB double-decker train.

2014 – Expanding into innovation consulting: Milani increasingly expands into innovation consulting. Together with the University of St. Gallen, the agency develops a design thinking handbook, published by the FAZ. It becomes a bestseller and standard reference, later translated into English and Mandarin.

2020 – Focus on eco-design and the circular economy: Milani builds its own sustainability team. The design question expands: how can products become not just better, but more sustainable?

2021 – Merging into the larssoncreative group. Milani, WILDDESIGN, and evrbit join forces to found the larssoncreative group, bringing strategic design, sustainability, digital solutions, and medical-health expertise together under one roof.

2022 – Therese Naef Takes the Lead: Under her leadership, Milani strengthens its focus on sustainable product design and the circular economy. The focus is firmly on the next generation of products and business models.

2023 – 60 Years of Milani: After completing more than 4,100 projects, Milani is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Some became bestsellers, others design icons. A few have shaped an entire industry. The story continues.

Discover defining product design by Milani

Design that defined medical technology

Since the 1960s, Milani has set the standard for healthcare design. Take a look back at over 60 years of groundbreaking medical technology projects, from the founding vision of Francesco Milani to today's product innovations.

History-making product and industrial design

From groundbreaking product innovations smaller than the palm of your hand to meter-high industrial machines, Milani has set new standards with these products. Dive into the past with us and discover how these products became trendsetters.

Milani design that moved Switzerland

Locals and tourists alike have all ridden in a vehicle designed by Milani. This article explores how an agency specializing in medical technology became a leading name in Swiss transportation design and how its designs continue to shape public spaces to this day.

Milani in Zahlen:

  • Founded 1963 in Giubiasco (Ticino) by industrial designer Francesco Milani
  • Today based in Thalwil near Zurich
  • Over 60 years of design history
  • More than 4,200 completed projects
  • Part of the larssoncreative group since 2021