Mario Gagliardi is an Austrian – Italian industrial designer and design strategist, known for his international work in product design, brand innovation, and sustainable urban development.
Career
He studied at the University of Applied Arts Vienna under famed Italian designers Alessandro Mendini and Richard Sapper, which grounded his approach of “design as a universal language”. Early in his career, he was awarded the design prize of architecture magazine Domus with the first digitally designed textiles for Somma 1867 and was awarded the first three prizes at the Austrian Post Shop design competition. Gagliardi then created luxury home accessories for high-end retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman (USA) and Takashimaya (Japan), before moving into influential roles in Asia’s technology and design industries.
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Gagliardi was invited to help develop South Korea’s design sector. He served as an advisor to the government-run Korea Institute of Design Promotion and taught as a professor at the International Design School for Advanced Studies (Hongik University) in Seoul. He also became a design consultant to the Innovative Design Lab of Samsung, contributing to future product strategy. Gagliardi ultimately joined LG in Seoul, where he rose to Chief Designer and Head of Design Strategy. In this role he was the creative force behind The Whoo (后), a luxury cosmetics brand launched by LG. The Whoo line was revolutionary for incorporating Korean heritage into its products, and it grew into South Korea’s top luxury cosmetics brand. By 2016, The Whoo had achieved annual sales over ₩1 trillion (approximately US$1 billion) in Asia. Gagliardi’s work at LG earned him a Good Design award in Korea and a Trophy of Excellence from LG’s chairman. During his time in Seoul, he also wrote an influential monthly column, “Observations on Design,” for the Korean magazine Monthly Design, shaping discourse on design and innovation in the country.
After his successes in Asia, Gagliardi returned to Europe and served as an advisor to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, where he helped develop the national digital learning ecosystem. This initiative reportedly boosted e-learning participation in Austrian schools from under 10% to over 90% within five years, and Gagliardi received a commendation from the federal minister for his outstanding service. He also consulted for Swarovski in defining the crystal brand’s global design presence. During this period he furthered his education with an MBA from the University of Westminster in London, earning the degree with Merit. Gagliardi went on to teach as a professor at Aalborg University in Denmark, where he developed courses in digital experience design and generative design, reflecting his early adoption of emerging technologies in design.
In 2008, Gagliardi was appointed by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser as CEO of Design at Qatar Foundation in Doha. In this role, he laid the groundwork for the design of Msheireb Downtown Doha, an ambitious urban regeneration project aimed at creating the world’s most sustainable city center. He worked with international architects on the “Design Zone” blueprint for energy-independent, zero-emission communities adapted to desert climates. Gagliardi’s leadership in Qatar’s design initiatives showcased his ability to bridge cultural and environmental perspectives in large-scale projects.
Recent work
In 2011, Mario Gagliardi founded Mario Gagliardi Design, an independent studio based in Vienna, Austria. He also founded the online platform penccil, an ethical design-sharing and collaboration network for global creatives. Penccil’s community has included prominent institutions such as New York’s MoMA and the Centre Pompidou, as well as members from universities like Columbia, Harvard, Stanford and Yale. In the 2020s, Gagliardi expanded into luxury home furnishings by launching Mario & Casa and De Caldes, brands for handcrafted rugs, furniture and accessories.
Gagliardi remains active in the international design scene through exhibitions and collaborations. In 2018, he presented his “Future City” concept at Vienna Art Week’s opening lineup, exploring future lifestyles and urban paradigms. In 2022, he spoke and exhibited at Downtown Design during Dubai Design Week. In 2025, Mario & Casa exhibited new works at the Venice Design Biennial, continuing Gagliardi’s engagement with the avant-garde design dialogue.
Publications and Recognition
Beyond his commercial design work, Mario Gagliardi has contributed to design theory and education. He has published papers and articles with institutions such as the European Academy of Design and the Design Management Institute, arguing for the integration of cultural analysis in design and pioneering early definitions of “experience design” in the 2000s. Gagliardi has been a member of professional bodies including the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), the Industrial Designers Society of America and the Design Management Institute.
He is frequently invited as a speaker or juror at international design events. He delivered a keynote at the DNA Paris Design Conference and served on the jury of the DNA Paris Design Awards. He also delivered keynotes at the Product Development and Management Association (London), Hong Kong Design Centre, Icograda Design Week (Doha), German Design Council, Innotown (Norway), Era 05 World Design Congress (Denmark), International Council of Design Week, European Academy of Design Conference (Rome) and Vienna Art Week. He also guest lectured at leading universities including London Business School (London), University for the Creative Arts (UK), Sapienza University (Rome), Bosphorus University (Istanbul) and Tsinghua University (Beijing).
Through a career spanning continents, Mario Gagliardi has built a reputation for “bridging cultures through design.” His work ranges from consumer products and branding to educational systems and urban planning, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach. Numerous independent projects, from South Korea’s leading cosmetics to Middle Eastern cityscapes, stand as a testament to his influence in the global design community.