Artemide, historical leader in lighting, has always been a synonym for Innovation and Made in Italy and its products are seen as contemporary design icons internationally.
Founded in 1960 by Ernesto Gismondi, Artemide is based in Pregnana Milanese. Its products are distributed in more than 100 different countries. With 5 manufacturing units in Italy, France, Hungary, and Canada, a glass-works, and 1 Research & Development centre supported by prototype labs and groundbreaking tests, Artemide currently has about 650 employees, including 60 engaged in R&D, thus confirming the key role of innovation in the Group's success.
Artemide collections provide a unique blend of values: the approach to human and responsible light is combined with a design and material savoir-faire producing a combination of next-generation technology and old wisdom, a perfect expression of sustainable design.
Innovative vision, research, dialogue with great architects are the basis of sustainable projects capable even over time of illuminating the future with the same force.

How the collaboration with Artemide began in the memories of Vico Magistretti:

“It happened in the sixties when I had just finished the Milan Triennale, where I had been artistic director together with Ignazio Gardella. I was commissioned to design some things, some products. I recall, for instance, Artemide. Artemide was just three people: Gismondi, his wife and another person, that was all. From then on, we gradually became friends. It was a continuous exchange of ideas. At that time there was the demonstration of the great merit of the industrialists, who understood that something was changing and they had to find someone to help them change. Up till then they used to make furniture in Cantù style.”

Ernesto Gismondi, Artemide founder, about his partnership with Vico Magistretti:

"I remember well when Magistretti agreed to design for Artemide and he came for the first time to our headquarters in via Moscova, in front of the church of Sant’Angelo. I remember he sketched on a piece of paper, just a circle and two lines. Thus was born the Omega lamp."