Design Master Talks | Manuel Frasson: "Serene Technology: A Bridge Connecting Different Cultures"
Publisher:Hebei Industrial Design Innovation Center
Date:2026-06-19
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In the vast universe of design, the collision of creativity from different cultural backgrounds always sparks brilliant sparks. At the "Italian Design Matchmaking Session" of the 2025 Hebei International Industrial Design Week, Manuel Frasson, Senior Designer at Vangbi Design Studio in Italy, delivered a wonderful talk on the theme "Serene Technology: A Bridge Connecting Different Cultures", leading us into a wonderful world where technology and humanity intertwine.

Since its establishment 20 years ago, Vangbi Design Studio has always been committed to industrial design and brand design, earning a good reputation in the industry with its outstanding professional capabilities and innovative spirit. Over the years, the studio's partners have spanned the globe, with close collaborations with many renowned brands such as Google, Bosch, Luxottica, and Samsung. As its business continues to expand, the studio has set its sights on the Chinese market with its huge potential, establishing a Foshan branch with a wide business scope covering wearable devices, computers, consumer electronics, home appliances, and many other industries. This crossindustry exploration is like building invisible bridges, allowing the studio to embark on a wonderful journey across different cultures, which naturally leads to the core theme of this talk—"Serene Technology."

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In the common perception of the public, technology is often closely associated with words like performance, complexity, and power. When we talk about tech products, what comes to mind are often devices that are powerful but complex to operate, full of a sense of technology but somewhat cold. However, Vangbi Design Studio has put forward a unique concept—"Serene Technology."

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The word "serene" represents lowprofile, naturalness, and integration into daily life. It is like a gentle breeze in spring—soft and warm, unobtrusive yet comfortable and pleasant.

"Technology," here, represents ease of use, intuitiveness, and desirability. It is not an unattainable, profound technology, but something that can be easily picked up, bringing convenience and beauty to life.

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"Serene Technology" attempts to break the stereotype of technology, transforming complex technologies into simple and understandable forms, and integrating innovation into everyday objects. It does not intrude into our lives with a forceful attitude, but quietly enriches and supports us, making technology a part of life rather than a burden.

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To help everyone understand "Serene Technology" more intuitively, Manuel shared three highly representative projects, showing from different angles how "Serene Technology" connects different cultures and integrates into daily life.

Project 1: "dune" – A Computer Mouse Inspired by the Desert

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The design of this mouse is inspired by the flowing forms of the desert. In appearance, its shape has been carefully sculpted to perfectly fit the curve of the palm. Whether sliding or clicking, operation is smooth and natural, as if it has merged with the hand. In material selection, the design team was equally ingenious. The translucent surface material allows light to pass through, creating reflections and shadows on the desktop, making the entire mouse seem to come alive—no longer a cold functional object, but a work full of artistic sense. The subtle details, such as the fold lines, not only define the product's form but also make everything appear smooth and natural, as if it were an accidental masterpiece of nature.

The focus of this project was not on adding more functions or pursuing complex structures, but on establishing a subtle yet profound connection between people's emotions and the object through the clever combination of touch, light, and form, allowing users to experience the interweaving of technology and humanity through touch and use.

Project 2: "Tritone" – A Smart Speaker Blending Tradition and Modernity

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The second project is the "Tritone" smart speaker, developed in collaboration with Guizhou Industrial Design City and showcased with great success at Milan Design Week. This speaker is not just a device that plays sound; it is more like a silent companion, integrating into people's daily lives with a quiet presence and becoming part of memories.

Its design inspiration comes from the traditional Chinese birdcage, an element rich in Eastern cultural charm, giving the product a unique soul. The final presentation is a speaker that is refined, natural, and timeless, like a work of art that transcends time and space. The name "Tritone" in Italian represents cheerful birdsong. It acts as a bridge connecting tradition and modernity, East and West. It seamlessly blends the simple humanity of daily life with art, intertwining culture and objects to create a unique atmosphere, rather than an empty, cultureless existence.

Project 3: "La Sienne" – A Coffee Machine Born from the Collision of French and Italian Cultures

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"La Sienne" is a splendid collision between French culture and Italian design philosophy. The studio designed this coffee machine for Maxine de Paris and Pierre Cardin Studio, aiming to integrate the coffee ritual beloved by Italians into daily life while incorporating French elegance and style.

The design team drew inspiration from the gardens of the ChampsÉlysées in 1950s France. Through carefully crafted curves and proportions, the designers made the machine not just a tool for making coffee, but a work of art that evokes a longing for the Parisian lifestyle. It stands proudly in the kitchen, as if telling the lively atmosphere of Italian cafés and the romantic sentiments of France. Every surface, every detail has been carefully polished, making coffee drinking no longer just a daily routine, but an enjoyment, a pursuit of a better life.

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These three projects are like three keys, opening doors to a world where different cultures and technology merge. They are not just products, but bridges connecting innovation and style, culture and tradition. The core of the entire project philosophy is not to pursue a superficial soft touch, nor simply to pile on more technology, but to advocate for better, more natural, simpler, and more approachable technology for the people.

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In today's rapidly advancing technological world, we are often surrounded by various complex technologies, yet we overlook that the essence of technology is to make life better. Vangbi Design Studio, through these projects, has shown us a completely new design approach—to bring technology back to life, to integrate it into daily life with a gentle attitude, and to give technology warmth through creativity and culture. This "Serene Technology" is like an invisible bond, closely connecting different cultures, making technology a bridge that connects the world, and creating a more harmonious and beautiful future for us all.

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