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 Communication Studies (A-K) module 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 2025/2026 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.

Readings/Bibliography

• 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.
• Bruno Latour, Politiche del design. Semiotica degli artefatti e forme della socialità, Meltemi, 2021, in particular introduction and chapters 3-4.
  
• 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.

Extra readings:

• Bruno Munari, Good design, Mantova, Corraini, 1963.
• Bruno Munari, Da cosa nasce cosa. Appunti per una metodologia progettuale, Laterza, 1981.
  
• Richard Sennett, L’uomo artigiano, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2008.
• Maurizio Vitta, Le voci delle cose. Progetto idea destino, Torino, Einaudi, 2016.

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

Teaching methods

Lectures, exercises and in-class discussions.

Assessment methods

- In-class exercises.
- Final examination (T 2025/2026 Final Synthesis Studio).

Teaching tools

PDF articles, excepts and other materials.

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Manchia

See the website of