Alberto Meda was born in 1945 in Tremezzina, Italy, and trained as a mechanical engineer at the Politecnico di Milano, graduating in 1969. He brought an engineering mindset into design, focusing on structure, materials, and manufacturing with a clear, practical intelligence. Early in his career he served as technical director at Kartell, where he led product development and gained deep experience in industrial processes.
From the late 1970s onward, Meda worked as a freelance industrial designer for many internationally respected brands, including Vitra and Luceplan, creating furniture and lighting that are celebrated for visual lightness, comfort, and durability. His long collaboration with Vitra has had a major impact on contemporary office seating and systems, while his lighting designs for Luceplan have earned significant awards. Meda lives and works in Milan and has also contributed to design education through teaching and lectures at leading institutions.
