Piccola is part of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection.

As his very first product (introduced in 1993), Piccola is the original embodiment of Pablo Pardo’s minimalistic design philosophy. Pardo is a Venezuelan-born designer who established his studio in San Francisco during the 90s.

Over subsequent decades, Pardo Studio would release many successful product designs. Pardo's design work is notable in that it represents the transition of product design from 20th to 21st century. It is in conversation with 20th century Italian lighting masterworks, but also draws from industrial design breakthroughs in California and the Bay Area during the 90s and early 2000s by Johny Ive and others. Pardo's work helped to progress the legacy of design in San Francisco during this time period, and can be read on a continuum with other notable designers in California during the last 100 years.

Before designing Piccola, Pardo worked as a toy designer in San Diego. It is easy to see the influence of play in this design; Piccola’s form is minimal, but also tactile, playful, and inviting of interaction. Supple Italian glove leather covers its soft, pliable base, which a user can tilt to any angle while its aluminum shade floats to remain level. It is this malleable base that maintains Piccola’s sensitivity to any position.