Founded in 1960s, Artemide is one of the most known illumination brands in the world. Known for its «The Human Light» philosophy.
The company filed lots of patents on inventions in time for the development of innovative technological, mechanical, and opto-electrical solutions (10 patents filed in 2016 alone). Artemide has contributed to the history of the international design with products like Eclisse (1967, from Vico Magistretti), Tolomeo (1989, from Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina), Pipe (2004, from Herzog & De Meuron) and the IN-EI Collection (2014, Issey Miyake), all showed at the Compasso D’oro Awards.
Founded in 1960 by Ernesto Gismondi, Artemide is based in Pregnana Milanese, Italy, and operates through 18 subsidiaries. Its distribution network includes 14 branded showrooms in the main cities around the world. Artemide products are distributed in 107 countries. With five manufacturing units in Italy, Hungary, and Canada, one glassworks, and a Research & Development center supported by prototyping labs and advanced testing facilities, the Artemide Group currently has 595 employees, including 50 engaged in R&D, thus confirming the key role of innovation in the Group’s success. At Artemide, technological research, partnerships with outstanding architects, as well as sociocultural investigation have been from the outset at the origin of innovative projects capable of illuminating the future with unabated power.
Today the Artemide collections convey a unique mix of values: the approach to human and responsible light goes hand in hand with design and material savoir-faire, combining next-generation technology with ancient wisdoms, a perfect expression of sustainable design.
1960 Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza found Artemide in Milan; the first lamp, Alfa, is designed by Sergio Mazza in 1959.
1972 Richard Sapper designs Tizio, the first lamp with a halogen light source, which becomes in time a symbol of Italian design in the world.
2000 The new Modern Classic collection brings together the iconic products of Artemide.
1967 Compasso d’Oro Award for the lamp Eclisse, designed by Vico Magistretti.
1970 Selene is created as an early example of stackable chair produced with plastics using the innovative compression moulding technology, part of experiments on furniture.
1982 The first collaboration with designer Ettore Sottsass gives life to Callimaco and, one year later, to Pausania.
1987 In cooperation with Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, Artemide launches Tolomeo, a lamp that becomes, in time, a symbol of made-in-Italy design, featured in homes and work places all around the world. Awarded with a Compasso d’Oro two years later.
