Born in Milan in 1918, he died in 2002. He started work as an architect and designer with his brother Livio and Pier Giacomo in 1938. One of the great masters of Italian design, he was a founding member of ADI in the fifties. The long list of awards he received includes eight Compasso d'Oro.
His activity as a designer was an unmistakable blend of simplicity, irony and fun. The series of watches Alessi was designed in collaboration with his friend, Swiss graphic designer Max Huber.