Eleonora Rombolà

I'm a designer from Italy, interested in the space where design, science and technology meet.

My background began with a bachelor in Product Design at Politecnico di Milano and developed through an Masters in Biodesign at Central Saint Martins in London, where I explored the potential of biology and emerging technologies within the bio-circular economy. This led me to Notpla, where I worked on seaweed-based materials and plastic-free packaging, combining hands-on product development with experimentation, testing and communication.

More recently, I expanded into digital design through an Executive Master in UX/UI Design at Politecnico di Milano, with the aim of connecting physical and digital experiences and approaching sustainability from a broader perspective. At Bubbl3s, a climate-tech startup developing microalgae-based air purification systems, I worked across UX/UI, product development, customer research and communication, contributing to both the product and the experience around it.

I am particularly interested in complex, interdisciplinary challenges, where design can connect different perspectives, technologies and areas of knowledge. I enjoy turning ideas, research and emerging technologies into tangible experiences, while working closely with people from different backgrounds.

Beyond design, I find inspiration through movement and making, particularly circus acrobatics, dance, clay modelling and drawing.

Exhibitions

This Future is Currently Unavailable by Isola Design | Dubai Design Week 2024

Substance, Italian Green Design Innovation by Italian Embassy of Singapore | Singapore Design Week 2022

Materialised, Isola Design District + curation of the MA Biodesign section of the exhibition & online presence | Milan Design Week 2021

One Nature, One Future, LVMH & UNESCO pavillion | IUCN World Conservation Congress 2021

DesignXDesigners | Milan Design Week 2018

Awards

Notpla Values Award “We Design True Solutions” 2023

Jury Award for Category Sustainable Design and New Materials | Isola Design Awards - Milan Design Week 2021

Winner Project of the ‘One Nature, One Future’ Partnership of MA Biodesign with LVMH Environment 2021

Interviews

Featured Interview: Cultivating A Sea Change (RE:TV) – Exploring the design potential of seaweed.
I was interviewed for this short film about the fast-growing plant that’s helping protect our future.
Watch the full film | Watch my segment

Press & Mentions

Inaugural ‘Design Next’ exhibition kicks off tomorrow in d3 | Dubai Design District, Nov 2024

La Dubai Design Week vista per voi | Interni, Nov 2024

SUBSTANCE Italian Green Design Innovation Exhibition | Italian Embassy in Singapore, Sept 2022

Singapore Design Week al via con Substance | ANSA News, Sept 2022

Design a Singapore: l’Ambasciata presenta la mostra “Substance” | italianiall’estero.tv, Sept 2022

Ambasciata Singapore: mostra “Substance - Italian Green Design Innovation” | Giornale Diplomatico, Sept 2022

Substance, Italian Green Design Innovation” di Singapore | Verabuccia, Sept 2022

@Materfad | Apr 2022

你永遠也想不到在米蘭設計周上，什麼垃圾會被改造得面目全非？ | Sept 2022 (Algalip & Within the Surface)

MA Material Futures, MA Biodesign, and MA Regenerative Design | eFlux Education, Apr 2022

Resilience, the beauty of surviving | Design Shades