Design rarely advances through comfort. It moves forward through risk, curiosity and a willingness to challenge what furniture is expected to be. For nearly five decades, Magis has operated from this belief, treating industrial production not as a constraint but as a creative territory. From its base in Northern Italy, the brand has built a reputation for objects that provoke thought as much as they serve function, positioning design as a cultural act rather than a decorative response.
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A design laboratory with roots in daring ideas
Founded in Northern Italy in 1976, Magis has always been considered more than a furniture manufacturer. Barbara Minetto, General Manager of Magis, describes the company as 'a major design laboratory for the home, outdoors, office and contract sectors, driven by experimentation and curiosity'. She adds, 'The idea behind Magis is very strong, to push industrial mass production by exploring new languages, technologies and materials.'
The name itself sets the tone. 'Magis means "more", and that idea guides everything we do,' Barbara explains. 'Every product has to offer something beyond the ordinary, combining aesthetics, functionality and durability.' This philosophy has allowed the brand to redefine design horizons while remaining deeply connected to its Italian roots.
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New 2025 collection: Magis In-Side armchair, by Thomas Heatherwick
Collaboration as a creative engine
A defining feature of Magis is its long-standing commitment to emerging and established design talent. Over the decades, the company has collaborated with figures such as Jasper Morrison, Konstantin Grcic, Philippe Starck, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Thomas Heatherwick and Naoto Fukasawa. 'We have always believed in collaborating with designers and in the importance of daring together,' Barbara notes. 'That openness to experimentation is what allows truly uncompromising design to emerge.'
This collaborative spirit extends beyond designers to manufacturing partners, all located close to the company's headquarters. 'Working closely with local partners means we can innovate while maintaining quality,' she says. 'It also reinforces the value of Italian-made production and strong ties to our territory.'
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New 2025 collection: Magis Tacito, by Alessandro Stabile
Durability as a cultural statement
What sets Magis apart globally is its distance from short-lived trends. 'Our products are designed to last and to go beyond fashion,' Barbara explains. 'They are conceived as conscious alternatives to disposable logic.' Attention to the full life cycle of each product, from materials to production processes, plays a central role in this approach.
This long-term vision has helped Magis navigate a challenging commercial landscape. '2025 was complex from a geopolitical point of view,' she acknowledges, 'but we continued to invest in new products and partnerships, staying true to our identity.' A newly released catalogue, with a refined graphic focus on the products themselves, further reinforced this clarity of vision.
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New 2025 collection: Magis Ancora, by Ronan Bouroullec
Innovation through materials and processes
Recent collections demonstrate how research-driven design remains central to Magis' strategy. Highlights include the Motta chairs by Jasper Morrison, the Ancora concrete tables by Ronan Bouroullec and the Bishop chair by Konstantin Grcic, crafted from just 1mm sheet steel. 'Each product follows a meticulous process of research, experimentation and prototyping,' Barbara says, 'always with the aim of offering something out of the ordinary.'
Sustainability and alternative materials are also gaining prominence. The In-Side collection by Thomas Heatherwick uses post-consumer and post-industrial recycled polyethylene, while the Tacito storage unit introduces integrated metal hinges and sound-absorbing door panels. 'These solutions respond to new living requirements,' Barbara notes, 'with modularity, versatility and recyclability becoming increasingly important.'
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New 2025 collection: Magis Bishop, by Konstantin Grcic
Looking ahead with confidence
As Magis looks towards 2026, the focus remains firmly on Europe and on strengthening performance in key markets. Yet the broader ambition is timeless. 'Our approach has always been forward-looking,' Barbara reflects. 'We create products designed to last, without compromising our DNA.'
In an industry searching for meaning beyond novelty, Magis continues to prove that innovation, when guided by culture and responsibility, can shape interiors for generations to come. 'Design, for us, is a cultural act,' Barbara concludes, 'and it must always offer something more.'
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More information:
Magis Spa
Accesso E - Z.I, Via Triestina,
Via Tezze, 30020 Torre Di Mosto VE
[email protected]
www.magisdesign.com
+39 (0) 421 319 600
Italy
