Milan is a benchmark for design in Italy: of the 2,386 studios or small firms working in the design field in this country, 1,024 (43%) operate in Lombardy and 499 (48.7%) right in the province of Milan. Of the 2,100 members of the category associations nationwide, 895 (42.6%) operate in Lombardy and 644 in the province of Milan (30.1%).

Design is thus an important driver for the region’s economy; in fact, it is a productive sector in its own right, involving projects, education, publishing, cultural activities, places and events.

International trade figures confirm this role: 

•  In 2005 Italy’s design exports amounted to €8.4 bln
• Lombardy led the country with exports worth €2 bln (23.8% of the total), of which over €950 mln in Milan (11.3% of the national total).
• In 2005 Milan’s design exports went mainly to Europe (67%) and to the USA (15.3%). In the same year there was a significant rise in exports to China, up 45% compared to 2004.
• Out of 612 excellent design firms in Italy selected by the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (ADI), 234 (38.2%) are based in Lombardy and 147 (24.1%) in the Province of Milan.