Daniel qualified as an architect at the University of Buenos Aires in his native Argentina in 1977. He relocated to London the following year to study industrial design at the Royal College of Art, where he received his MA (RCA) in 1981.
After graduating from the RCA, Daniel designed and manufactured his own products, including a collection for Memphis in Milan and the iconic Bag Radio. He also worked with Alessi, Esprit, French Connection, Channel Four and Knoll.
Daniel was unit master for the Architectural Association and then Professor of Industrial Design at the Royal College of Art. The Royal College of Art honoured him with a senior fellowship.
Since joining Pentagram in 1992, Daniel has worked on projects that encompass a combination of product design, packaging, interiors and art direction for a broad range of clients that includes, among others, Swatch, Lego, Krug, Superga, Truvia, Parlophone, Benetton, Aldo, Autogrill, One & Only Resorts, the Savoy Hotel and the Dorchester in London.
The Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Archaeology Wing of the Israel Museum, redesigned by Daniel, won worldwide recognition for its unique narrative and chronological sequence.
For United Airlines, Daniel designed cabin interiors, seating, tableware and amenities for First, Business and Economy classes, staff uniforms, check-in systems and lounges as well as the full reconfiguration and redevelopment of United’s own terminal at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. He was also responsible for introducing lie-flat beds to International First and Business Class.
Daniel designed and art directed the World Chess Candidates Tournament, won by current World Champion Magnus Carlsen. The chess set designed by Daniel for this tournament is now the official World Chess organization’s – FIDE – official set.
Daniel’s work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, amongst others.
In 2014, the Design Museum celebrated Daniel’s career to date with the exhibition, Time Machines: Daniel Weil and the Art of Design.
