Bruno Munari

Italian 🇮🇹 1907 - 1998

Bruno Munari (1907-1998) was an influential Italian artist, designer, and inventor, known for his wide-ranging contributions to visual arts and design. Born in Milan, Munari was a key figure in the Italian Futurist movement, later distancing himself due to its proto-Fascist connotations. His work spanned graphic design, painting, sculpture, film, and industrial design, embodying modernism, futurism, and concrete art. He was also renowned for his children’s books, innovative educational toys, and his research on didactic methods, movement, tactile learning, and creativity. Munari’s philosophy that “Art shall not be separated from life” guided his multifaceted career, making him one of the 20th century’s most versatile and influential creative minds.


Bruno Munari designed the "Useless Machines" in the 1930s, whimsical creations aimed at liberating abstract forms and reflecting his belief in the playful, experimental spirit of art and design, showcasing his innovative approach to creativity and his humorous take on functionalism. He was inspired by his son and made children's books beginning in the 1930s. His books incoprorated kinesthetic learning.