Design as a way of life. That was Albe Steiner’s motto. Right here stands the ITSOS Albe Steiner. It is named in his honor.
Albe Steiner was not just a graphic designer. He was an artist with versatility. He possessed ingenuity. Born in Milan in 1913, Albe Steiner’s journey began. It started with accountancy studies. But he soon found his calling in graphic design.
His early work included collaboration with Studio Boggeri. He also participated in the Triennale exhibition. By 1939, his wife Lica aided his work. Together, they navigated the design world.
During World War II, Albe Steiner joined the Resistance. He designed clandestine pamphlets. These periodicals spread important messages. In 1945, he designed The Reconstruction Exhibition. He also worked on the communist magazine Il Politecnico. His innovative choices made him well-known. He used everything from Russian avant-garde art to comics.
After the war, Albe Steiner spent two years in Mexico. He contributed to a literacy campaign. He worked with Hannes Meyer. Meyer was the former director of the Bauhaus.
Returning to Milan in 1948, he taught at the School of the Rinascita. Albe Steiner continued his graphic work. He worked for Domus. He also worked for Metron and Edilizia moderna.
Albe Steiner’s client list included major Italian companies. Pirelli, Olivetti and Necchi were some of these. He designed book covers. He also designed series for Feltrinelli and Zanichelli. Albe Steiner even wrote some books himself.
From 1950 to 1954, he served as art director at La Rinascente. He helped start the Compasso d’Oro award. In 1963, Albe Steiner designed the Coop brand.
Albe Steiner collaborated with cultural institutions. Rai, the Piccolo Teatro, and the Venice Biennale were among them. He was a founding member of the Association for Industrial Design. He also belonged to the AGI Alliance Graphique Internationale. He was a member of the International Center of Typographic Arts.
Albe Steiner passed away in 1974. His tombstone reads “Albe Steiner, partigiano.” His wife Lica continued their artistic work until her death in 2008. Their daughter Anna also carried on the legacy.
ITSOS Albe Steiner stands as a testament. It honors a man who saw design as life. He used his skills for political change. The school embodies his values of creativity and social responsibility. It inspires future generations of designers. They carry on Albe Steiner’s vision. They see design as a powerful force for good.