Final Synthesis Design Studio 21

The 2025/2026 edition of the Final Synthesis Design Studio explored how digital platforms shape contemporary culture, social behaviors, and public understanding of complex phenomena. Students investigated online trends, communities, and narratives related to topics such as wellness, body image, food cultures, work, gender roles, and AI-generated content, examining how these phenomena emerge, circulate, and evolve across digital environments.

The course combined data visualization, digital methods, and communication design, introducing a stronger focus on the relationship between visual communication and knowledge acquisition.

In the first phase, students participated in a Sandbox, an individual exercise focused on designing static data visualizations. Working with datasets of their choice, they were encouraged to critically examine how data is produced, define specific knowledge objectives, and develop visual representations that communicate information clearly and effectively.

In the second phase, students applied digital methods to investigate social and cultural phenomena through data collected from online platforms. They developed research protocols, analyzed digital traces, and produced visual reports documenting their findings and the different perspectives emerging from their investigations.

In the final phase, students transformed their research into exhibition artifacts designed to engage audiences and encourage critical reflection. A new component, Data to Knowledge, introduced an evaluation-driven approach to information design. Students defined measurable knowledge objectives and developed methods to assess whether and how their artifacts supported knowledge acquisition among visitors.

The final projects were developed for Stream Beef Vibes, a public exhibition at Stecca 3.0 in Milan, exploring contemporary digital cultures through data-driven installations.

Throughout the course, visualization was approached not only as a tool for investigating and communicating complex phenomena, but also as a means of supporting knowledge acquisition. Particular attention was given to understanding how design decisions influence what audiences learn from data.

Student outputs

The course produced different types of outputs across its phases:

1. Sandbox: Individual static data visualizations based on documented datasets, with explicit knowledge objectives guiding their design. A selection of student works is available in the Zenodo repository.
2. Data Design: Digital research reports investigating contemporary online cultures and social phenomena through digital methods.
3. Data Publics and Data to Knowledge: Exhibition artifacts designed to communicate research findings to broader audiences, accompanied by evaluation methods to assess their effectiveness in supporting knowledge acquisition.

The final projects are documented on the Stream Beef Vibes exhibition website.