Available to hire
I’m Paolo Minola, an Italian designer born and raised in Milan. After graduating from Politecnico di Milano in 2002 I started to work as an industrial designer at Pasqui & Pasini Associates, and later I worked on architectural and interior design projects in Italy, Russia and China. I have designed products, street furniture, exhibits, graphics, commercial and hospitality projects for clients such as Nike, Wieden+Kennedy, Victorinox, Unopiù, HNA Group and Li & Fung Group. Since 2011 I have worked as a design consultant carrying out projects for retailers such as John Lewis and JCPenney and for brands Jonathan Adler and Villeroy & Boch.
I work across furniture, lighting and accessories, including branding and corporate identity. I coordinate with local suppliers and teams, often in Milan and Shanghai, to bring concepts to life. My experience covers residential and hospitality interiors, retail environments and public spaces, as well as product packaging and editorial graphics.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced
Chinese
Intermediate
Work Experience
Designer at minoxdesign
January 1, 2016 - PresentDesigner operating across Milan and Shanghai within minoxdesign, leading concept development and execution of cross-border design projects spanning furniture, lighting, interiors and retail experiences.
Product Design Consultant at LF Products division, Li & Fung Group
December 31, 2016 - September 11, 2025Conceptualization, design and development of furniture, lighting and accessories for worldwide customers; corporate image and branding; direct liaison with local suppliers.
Partner at MAT Architecture & Design
December 31, 2011 - September 11, 2025Furniture, product and graphic design projects for multiple clients; interior design for Shanghai residences; involvement in architectural projects including a commercial square & underground mall in Wuhan.
Chief Designer at Drexler + Partner China
December 31, 2010 - September 11, 2025Interior design projects for hotels, resorts and spaces in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Sanya; leadership of concept creation and team management.
Senior Designer at Artlink Design Associates Ltd.
December 31, 2009 - September 11, 2025Interior design projects for workspaces, food & beverage, commercial and retail across Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing; clients included Victorinox, Wärtsilä, Sanyo, CNOOC; responsibilities included team leadership and QA.
Design Department Manager at Shine International Co. Ltd.
December 31, 2008 - September 11, 2025R&D and quality production control for Unopiù; managing contracts with brands and suppliers; design department leadership.
Senior Designer at Andy Hall Studio
December 31, 2008 - September 11, 2025Public furniture and interior design projects in Shanghai and Beijing for Nike, Wieden+Kennedy, Legation Quarter Beijing; includes restaurants, retail, exhibition centers and clubs.
Senior Designer at CBCR - Catani & Bellotti - Pompeo Group
December 31, 2007 - September 11, 2025Residential masterplans, public and residential buildings, interior design for private houses and public spaces in Italy, France, Russia and Kuwait; product design (houseware) and furniture design.
Junior Designer at Syn Design
December 31, 2003 - September 11, 2025Product design (furniture, houseware and automotive), fashion, expo and graphic projects for clients such as Outlook Design Italia, Antera.
Intern at Pico Design - Pasqui & Pasini
December 31, 2002 - September 11, 2025Internship with the studio focusing on product design (styling and conceptualization of furniture and electronic appliances) and graphic design (logotypes and publishing) for clients including Italtel/Cisco.
Designer at minoxdesign
January 1, 2016 - PresentDesign consultant; conceptualization, design and development of furniture, lighting and accessories for worldwide customers; corporate image and branding development; direct deal with local suppliers.
Product Design Consultant at Li & Fung Group - LF Products division
January 1, 2016 - September 11, 2025Conceptualization, design and development of furniture, lighting and accessories for Habitat, John Lewis, Orla Kiely, Next, Crate & Barrel, Emart, Jonathan Adler and Villeroy & Boch; corporate image and branding development; direct deal with local suppliers.
Project Designer / Partner at MAT Architecture & Design
January 1, 2011 - September 11, 2025Furniture, product and graphic design projects; interior design for private residences in Shanghai; architectural projects including Commercial Square & Underground Shopping Mall in Wuhan (SMEDI & WPDI), Luxury villas quarter in Shanghai (Sino-Ocean Land).
Chief Designer at Drexler + Partner China
January 1, 2010 - September 11, 2025Interior design projects for hotels, resorts and spaces in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Sanya; client HNA Group; responsibilities in concept creation and team leading.
Senior Designer at Artlink Design Associates Ltd.
January 1, 2009 - September 11, 2025Interior design projects for workspaces, food & beverage, commercial and retail projects in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing; clients include Victorinox, Wärtsilä, Sanyo, CNOOC; responsibilities: creative direction, team leadership, quality control; client-PM liaison.
Design Department Manager at Shine International Co. Ltd.
January 1, 2008 - September 11, 2025Cooperation as consultant; research & development and quality production control for Unopiù; manages contracts directly with brands and with suppliers.
Senior Designer at Andy Hall Studio
January 1, 2008 - September 11, 2025Public furniture and interior design projects in Shanghai and Beijing (restaurants, retail, exhibition centers and clubs) for Nike, Wieden+Kennedy and Legation Quarter Beijing.
Senior Designer at CBCR - Catani & Bellotti - Pompeo Group
January 1, 2007 - September 11, 2025Architecture works (residential masterplans, public and residential buildings), product design (houseware) and furniture design for clients in Italy, France, Russia and Kuwait.
Junior Designer at Syn Design
January 1, 2003 - September 11, 2025Product design (furniture, houseware and automotive), fashion, expo and graphic projects for clients such as Outlook Design Italia, Antera.
Intern at Pico Design - Pasqui & Pasini
January 1, 2002 - September 11, 2025Internship in product design (styling and conceptualization of furniture and electronic appliances) and graphic design (logotypes and publishing) for clients such as Italtel/Cisco.
Product Design Consultant at Li & Fung Group, LF Products division
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2016Conceptualization, design and development of furniture, lighting and accessories for worldwide customers; branding development; direct dealings with local suppliers.
Designer / Partner at MAT Architecture & Design
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2011Furniture, product and graphic design projects; interior design for Shanghai residences; architectural projects in Wuhan and other locations.
Chief Designer at Drexler + Partner China
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2010Interior design projects for hotels, resorts and spaces in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Sanya; client HNA Group; responsibilities include concept creation and team leadership.
Senior Designer at Artlink Design Associates Ltd.
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009Interior design projects for workspaces, food & beverage, commercial and retail projects in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing; clients include Victorinox, Wärtsilä, Sanyo, CNOOC; responsibilities include team leadership and quality control.
Design Department Manager at Shine International Co. Ltd.
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008Research & development and quality production control for Italian furniture brand Unopiù; managing contracts with brands and suppliers.
Senior Designer at Andy Hall Studio
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008Public furniture and interior design projects in Shanghai and Beijing (restaurants, retail, exhibition centers and clubs) for Nike, Wieden+Kennedy, and Legation Quarter Beijing.
Senior Designer at Cortesi Design + Cospal
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2007Urban design projects including public-use products (telephone booths, bus stops, advertising panels, vases, benches), landscape design and graphic design.
Senior Designer at CBCR - Catani & Bellotti - Pompeo Group
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2007Architecture works including residential masterplans, public and residential buildings, interior design for private houses and public spaces; product design (houseware) and furniture design across Italy, France, Russia and Kuwait.
Intern at Pico Design - Pasqui & Pasini
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2002Internship with tasks in product design (styling and conceptualization of furniture and electronic appliances) and graphic design (logotypes and publishing).
Education
Master Degree in Industrial Design at Politecnico di Milano
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 2002High School Diploma at Liceo Classico Cesare Beccaria
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1995Master Degree in Industrial Design at Politecnico di Milano
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 2002Liceo Classico Diploma at Liceo Classico Cesare Beccaria
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1995Master Degree in Industrial Design at Politecnico di Milano
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 2002High School Diploma at Liceo Classico Cesare Beccaria (Milan)
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1995Qualifications
Industry Experience
Manufacturing, Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Professional Services, Other, Consumer Goods
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
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