Abstract
The case study delves into the practices and methodologies employed within CarniaMusei, a network of about 40 small museums located in a mountainous area of 1200 km² in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in northeastern Italy. The project aims to intertwine design education with cultural heritage preservation in a marginalized territory. The contribution illustrates how exhibition design, visual communication and interaction design are combined to create dynamic, multifunctional spaces that serve as cultural, social, and educational hubs. By involving local stakeholders, students, and educators in participatory processes, the outcomes promote inclusivity, sustainability, and adaptability – core principles that align with the evolving needs of contemporary societies. Methods such as co-creation workshops, scenario-based learning, and iterative prototyping are highlighted as essential tools for addressing both cultural and practical challenges. The study also explores critical tensions inherent in such multidisciplinary projects, including balancing academic innovation with community expectations, navigating ethical issues in cultural representation, and overcoming infrastructural limitations in rural settings. The CarniaMusei project illustrates how design education can effectively respond to complex challenges by fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. Looking ahead, the hybrid museum concept – integrating traditional exhibitions with community services – offers new opportunities for museums to play an active role in societal development. Ultimately, the insights gained from these practices provide a blueprint for reimagining design education as a transformative force.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drslxd.2025.159
Citation
Calogero, L., Lessing, E.B.,and Toneguzzi, G.(2025) Integrated Design for Museums and marginal areas: Exhibit, Graphic and Interaction design, in Clemente, V., Gomes, G., Reis, M., Félix, S., Ala, S., Jones, D. (eds.), Learn X Design 2025, 22-24 September 2025, Aveiro, Portugal. https://doi.org/10.21606/drslxd.2025.159
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Case Study
Integrated Design for Museums and marginal areas: Exhibit, Graphic and Interaction design
The case study delves into the practices and methodologies employed within CarniaMusei, a network of about 40 small museums located in a mountainous area of 1200 km² in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in northeastern Italy. The project aims to intertwine design education with cultural heritage preservation in a marginalized territory. The contribution illustrates how exhibition design, visual communication and interaction design are combined to create dynamic, multifunctional spaces that serve as cultural, social, and educational hubs. By involving local stakeholders, students, and educators in participatory processes, the outcomes promote inclusivity, sustainability, and adaptability – core principles that align with the evolving needs of contemporary societies. Methods such as co-creation workshops, scenario-based learning, and iterative prototyping are highlighted as essential tools for addressing both cultural and practical challenges. The study also explores critical tensions inherent in such multidisciplinary projects, including balancing academic innovation with community expectations, navigating ethical issues in cultural representation, and overcoming infrastructural limitations in rural settings. The CarniaMusei project illustrates how design education can effectively respond to complex challenges by fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. Looking ahead, the hybrid museum concept – integrating traditional exhibitions with community services – offers new opportunities for museums to play an active role in societal development. Ultimately, the insights gained from these practices provide a blueprint for reimagining design education as a transformative force.