Organizational Team
Diana Lagalante - Project Manager
In her current position as a graduated e-business manager from the University of Applied Science in Basel (Switzerland), Diana is responsible for on-line marketing communication activities in the Coating Effects segment of Ciba Inc.
Her many years of experience in the company, allowed her to gain deep knowledge and expertise in recognizing business needs and successfully promoting business products.
Additionally, Diana is the project leader of the xymara award event in London.
Diana lives in Basel. In her free time, she likes to travel, to explore other cultures and working with people.
Le Vin Chin
Le Vin Chin is the Editor-in-Chief of XYMARA.com and INMYX, the online design magazine. Apart from scouting for and reporting on design trends, he also has a background in technology, management and business, having worked in marketing for 10 years at Ciba. Le Vin Chin read Engineering and Management at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Alison Metzger
Alison Metzger studied modern languages at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and English Literature at Grenoble University and Queen Mary College, University of London. She spent a number of years teaching English at the Universitires of Grenoble, Lausanne and Geneva. She subsequently joined Ciba-Geigy as a technical translator, later taking on the role of Media Relations Manager in the Communications department at Ciba.
Devakrishna Marco Giollo
After finishing his studies in 1970 at the Architect School STS of Trevano, he continued with the School of Art CSIA in Lugano, where he got trained with some of the best contemporary artists and teachers such as Nag Arnoldi.
Marco traveled all over the world, from Oregon to California, from New York to Sydney and from Singapore to Hong Kong, exhibiting a variety of new styles of work. His art continues to be inspired by Osho’s teaching-more and more concerned with beauty and a peaceful, silent space of meditation. It is this dimension, in stark contrast to the art-worlds ’pretensions' of constant ‘novelty’ and ‘meaning’, which he hopes to share.
In 2000 he returned to Europe. He now lives in Switzerland, works in his two ateliers in Basel and in the Gambarogno area.
March 2008,www.giollo.com
Friederike Sommer
As a senior trainer and coach, Friederike develops, directs and implements a wide range of global initiatives and trainings. After more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, she has started her own consultancy company, focusing on coaching and mentoring, leadership training & development, strategic project management and communication.
In addition, Friederike provides moderation and facilitation for large scale events in the global business environment.
Friederike lives in Basel with her partner. In her free time, she likes to travel back to India, motorbike in the Himalayas & Meditation.
March 2008, www.friederikesommer.com
Annette Bruns & Oliver Spies
Annette Bruns
Born 1977 in Kaiserslautern, Germany
Studies of grafic design and visual communication:
- University of Arts and Design in Karlsruhe
- University of Arts and Design in Zurich
Join forces with Oliver Spies since 1998.
Founding visual research in 2001 and the publishing house Alleinverlag in 2004.
Field of activities: research on color trends worldwide; color design; graphic design; corporate design; book design
Oliver Spies, Designer, visual research
Born 1971 in Lindlar, Germany
Apprenticeship and Studies as electronics technician, automation of technical processes, engineering editor, object and industrial design:
- University of Applied Science Cologne
- College of Design in Krefeld
- University of Arts and Design in Karlsruhe
- University of Arts and Design in Zurich
Founding his own design company in 1992, working in cooperation with Annette Bruns since 1998. Founded visual research in 2001 and the publishing house Alleinverlag in 2004.
Field of activities: research on color trends worldwide; color design; furniture design; exhibition design; book design; reeditions of furniture; exhibtion, marketing and shop concepts.
