Paolo Zani was born in Cesena in 1960. In 1987 he obtained his Master in Industrial Design at the Domus Academy in Milan. At his studio in Liano he designs pottery covering, stereo devices accessories, cellular phones, tableware and kitchenware, rugs and carpeting, eye glasses, furniture and lamps for the house and the office.

From 2001 Paolo Zani is the Art Director for Cierre Accessories, company designer for accessories and objects for the kitchen table. From 1992 he produced "Warli", a rug collection produced with traditional weaving. Many of his writings and works have been published in specialized magazines such as Modo, Abitare, Interni, Domus, L’Ambiente Cucina, Ufficio Stile, Il Bagno, Bagno and Accessori. In 1986 he has participated in authoring the book "La Cintura di Orione" edited by Alessi-Longanesi. Many others of his works have won international design competitions and have been nominated to participate at important design exhibits.

Since 1994 he has been a professor at the "Design Industriale" at the ISIA of Faenza. He held a number of seminars and design workshops in many North American and European universities.

Paolo Zani has designed the Quadra system and the A Tomic, Velasca, Zoe, Riga lamps and the Wally mirror for FontanaArte.