Andrea Branzi, designer, architect and critic, until 1974 was a member of Archizoom Associati, the first prominent Italian avant-garde design group. He has worked for Cassina, Zanotta, Vitra, Alessi, and many other prestigious design-related companies. In 1983 he was among the founders of Domus Academy, of which he is now the president of the Steering Committee. Since 1986 he has been a member of the EEC Commission for the development and promotion of design in Europe; and in 1987 he was awarded the Special Golden Compass for his endeavours as a designer and theorist. Branzi's furniture design, architecture and city planning are celebrated across the world. Projects such as his "Domestic Animals" furniture and "Wireless" lamps have garnered wide prise for their intellectual content. He has held personal exhibitions in Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Brazil, the United States and Canada and Argentine. The author of several books on design, he has also contributed to many magazines, including Domus, Interni, Casabella and Modo.