78526 - Communication Studies (A-K)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student is able to interpret contemporary communication phenomena and techniques through the use of basic methodological tools. In particular, the student acquires the methodological tools for understanding and interpreting the social organisation of communication processes, as well as the basic knowledge aimed at focusing on the social, historical, cultural and power context in which he/she is called upon to operate as a designer.

Course contents

The first module of the Communication Studies (A-K) course (Prof. Manchia) aims to provide students with some tools to look at design in a conscious and effective way, especially from a semiotic point of view.

In line with the structure and working methods of the T 2023/2024 Final Synthesis Studio, the programme includes, after an introduction to the fundamentals of semiotics and the basic principles of the theory of narrativity, a part dedicated to semiotic methods and tools useful for the analysis of objects, products and physical artefacts as well as communicative and digital artefacts, and then an exploration of semiotic-derived methods and tools applied to design activities, from the metaproject to the actual project (from the brief to the fine-tuning of the concept).

In closing, in parallel with the elaboration of the final executive project of the Final Synthesis Studio, there will be a focus on the communication and visualization strategies of the project, and in particular on the use of diagrams, schemes, visualizations and other forms of visual and graphic synthesis to convey and transmit project contents and values.

 

After an introduction illustrating the scenario in which research, languages, and aesthetics have developed between design and art with new media over the past three decades, the second module (Prof. Mancuso) includes a series of critical insights into some of the most representative practices in the various fields of application of technology and scientific research. The critical and methodological approach thus enables the effective analysis of a series of interdisciplinary processes associated with cultural production at the border between art and design, specifically analyzing their evolution and possible future trajectory as a result of the transformation of creative production techniques at the hardware and software level.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1

• Gianfranco Marrone, Prima lezione di semiotica, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2018, in particular chapters I. Segni, codici, valori; IV. Storie and V. Testualità, società, cultura.
• Dario Mangano, Semiotica e Design, Milano, Carocci, 2009, in particular the introduction and chapters 1-2.
• Jean-Marie Floch, “Il coltello del bricoleur. L’intelligenza in punta di Opinel”, in J.-M. Floch, Identità visive, Milano, Franco Angeli, 1995.
  
• Valentina Manchia, Il discorso dei dati. Note semiotiche sulla visualizzazione delle informazioni, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2020.
• Salvatore Zingale, “Le inferenze nel design”, in La semiotica e il progetto. Design, comunicazione, marketing, ed. by M. Deni, G. Proni, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2008.
  
• Michela Deni, “La semiotica nel progetto”, in La semiotica e il progetto. Design, comunicazione, marketing, ed. by M. Deni, G. Proni, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2008.

Other texts for further extra reading will be recommended during the lessons.

 

Module 2

• AA.VV., AC|DC, Contemporary Art, Contemporary Design (Symposium, Exhibition and Master Classes, 26-27.10.2007), Geneva, University of Art and Design, JRP Ringier, 2007
• Blais Joline, Ippolito Jon, At the Edge of Art, Thames & Hudson, New York, 2006
• Coles Alex, Design and Art, Documents of contemporary art, The MIT Press, 2007
• Grau Oliver, New Media Art, Oxford Bibliographies, 2006
• Ingold Tim, Antropologia, archeologia, arte e architettura, Milano, Raffaello Cortia Editore, 2019
  
• Maldonado Tomas, Arte e Artefatti. Intervista di Hans Ulrich Obrist, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2009
  
• Maldonado Tomas, La speranza progettuale. Ambiente e società, Feltrinelli Editore, 2022
• Mancuso Marco, Arte, Tecnologia e Scienza. Le Art Industries e i nuovi paradigmi di produzione nella New Media Art contemporanea, Milano, Mimesis, 2018
• Mancuso Marco, Intervista con la New Media Art. L’osservatorio Digicult tra arte design e cultura digitale, Milano, Mimesis, 2020
• Mecacci Andrea, Estetica e Design, Il Mulino, 2012
• Munari Bruno, Artista e designer, Editori Laterza, 2022
• Paul Christiane, Digital Art, Thames & Hudson, 2003
• Petroni Marco, Studio Formafantasma. Il design degli iperoggetti, Postmedia Books, 2022
• Quinz Emanuele, Il cerchio invisibile, Mimesis Edizioni, 2020

Teaching methods

Lectures, exercises and in-class discussions.

Assessment methods

- In-class exercises.
- Final examination (T 2022/2023 Final Synthesis Studio).

Teaching tools

PDF articles, excepts and other materials.

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Manchia

See the website of Marco Mancuso