Marco Zanini was born in Trent in 1954 and studied architecture at the University of Florence. Taking a break from his studies in the late 1970s, Zanini worked for a short time as a designer at Argonaut Company in Los Angeles before settling back in Florence, and working under Ettore Sottsass, who he had met as a student in 1975. Sottsass later invited Zanini to join the Memphis group in 1981 and he contributed iconic designs such as the Dublin sofa, Roma chair and Union shelving unit. Most notable in his diverse body of work however, are his bright, totemic glass and ceramic works which are enduring icons of postmodern design. Today, he teaches design and architecture at various universities throughout the world.