Milan Design Week, whose latest edition wrapped up on Sunday, is the global gathering for the industry. Over the course of seven days, I met designers from Nigeria, journalists from South Korea, Danish architects and, of course, furniture CEOs from Italy. No other event can compete with this worldly mix of conversations and connections. Here are some of my key discussions from the week.Sunday: At a dinner for Italian furniture group Design Holding, I sat at a table with George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg of design practice Yabu Pushelberg. They explained that while their names might be on the studio’s door, it’s their team that is the most important. “We provide a budget for socialising so our staff can go out for a group dinner or host a party,” said Yabu. The result? A close-knit outfit that sticks together when the going gets tough.Monday: Mario Cucinella gave a morning tour of his “Città Miniera” installation in the courtyard of the headquarters of Corriere della Sera newspaper. Here, the architect had built “skyscrapers” made from discarded fruit boxes. “It’s a reminder that we can change the way in which we see refuse in the city,” he said. “When a building is demolished there are opportunities to reuse 50 to 80 per cent of the waste material in other structures.”Tuesday: Salone del Mobile kicked off at the Rho Fiera and a host of brands were on form with new releases. Picks of the bunch include Knoll’s new take on Mies van der Rohe’s Tugendhat Chair (in a striking red colourway); Italian firm Flexform’s sleek Lauren chair inspired by classic directors’ chairs; Spanish bathroom specialist Roca’s Nu taps (on show in the International Bathroom Exhibition); and, in the emerging designer’s section known as Salone Satellite, the Pop-up armchair by Los Angeles-based Unform Studio.Wednesday: Jay Osgerby was a highlight of our Monocle Talks series in Milan this year. During our last session, he explained why designers should avoid mining Instagram for inspiration. “Being creative is about personal discovery and exploring,” he said. “It’s important that we respond to the materials and processes that are available, not what’s on a screen.”Thursday: Giorgetti is shaking things up. Unlike many design houses with a roster of established designers and creative directors, the Italian furniture brand is working with lesser-known names such as Mauro Todesco and Silvia Musetti. Its ambition to champion the next generation of designers is admirable.Friday: Established by Phil America and Jenny D Pham, Objects Are By is a new brand that seeks to push designers beyond their comfort zones by partnering them with experienced craftspeople who work in a medium that they’re unfamiliar with. “The idea was to break some boundaries and ensure that there was a little vulnerability in the creative process,” said Pham.Saturday: Just before I boarded my flight from Linate, I met Adam Stech at Dropcity. As an architectural historian and self-taught photographer, Stech wanted to document the buildings that he was visiting, so he built an enormous photography archive. His approach is a reminder of the importance of staying curious and continuing to experiment.Nic Monisse is Monocle’s design editor. For more news on the design industry from Milan and beyond, pick up a copy of our ‘Salone del Mobile Special’ newspaper, which is available now.