Rota was born in Milan, Italy in 1966. In 1994 he graduated from Art Center College of design in La Tour Peliz in Switzerland. Just one year later he returns to Milan to open the Francesco Rota design office where he collaborated with not only Italian designers, but designers from around the globe. His product designs include the complete home collection and the outdoor collection for the company Paola Lenti for which he has also designed several installations and the catalogue. He has also produced several lighting fixtures designs for Oluce
including Ibiza, an outdoor lamp with an integrated loudspeaker, and a whole collection of products for Martini&Rossi to create brand awareness throughout the use of the personalized products during special events in selected public spaces.