Designing digital experiences
Designing digital experiences
and communication
for research institutions.
👋 Hi! I'm Stefano, based in Milan, Italy. I'm currently Head of communication at the Italian National Research Council's Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Cultural Heritage (CNR-DSU) and a UX designer at CNR-ISMed's Mediterranean Digital Humanities Lab.
Photo © Diego Marino, 2023
Selected Work
PUBDSU
CNR-DSU — 2026
A searchable archive that brings the department's entire research output into one place — with live search, filtering, and detailed records.
- Live search with instant results and filters by author, type, and keyword
- Detailed single-page view for each publication
- Built for open data distribution and future interoperability
DSU Annual Conference
CNR-DSU — 2025
A dedicated minisite with its own visual identity — narrative storytelling, searchable abstracts, and everything attendees need in one place.
- Searchable abstract database browsable by title and author
- Narrative content structure with integrated video to tell the event story
- Programme, registration, and contributions unified for the research community
WeMed
CNR-ISMed · Istat — 2024 — Present
UX design for a Mediterranean socioeconomic research platform — from user surveys to a redesigned dashboard for exploring comparative data.
- User research through surveys to inform interface decisions
- Dashboard redesign for navigating about 150 indicators across 12 thematic areas and 26 countries
- Making comparative Mediterranean data accessible to researchers and policymakers
CNR-DSU Website
CNR-DSU — 2023 — Present
Digital communication strategy and web presence for CNR's Department of Social Sciences and Humanities.
- Overhauled information architecture for clearer institutional navigation
- Analytics-driven iteration improving engagement and content discoverability
- Unified digital presence across institutional media channels
Curriculum Vitae
2023 — Present
Head of Communication (CTER)
National Research Council — Dept. of Social Sciences and Humanities, Cultural Heritage (CNR-DSU) · Milan
Digital strategy, web management, social media, stakeholder communications, and analytics for CNR-DSU. Communication Officer for the department within the CNR national network.
2024 — Present
UX Designer (CTER)
Mediterranean Digital Humanities Lab, CNR-ISMed · Milan
UI/UX design for the WeMed research platform. Interface architecture, user flows, accessibility compliance, and design system documentation.
2010 — 2024
UX Design & Communication (CTER)
National Research Council — CNR-ISGI and CNR-IRISS · Naples and Milan
Fourteen years of digital strategy, UX design, and institutional communications across multiple CNR research institutes in Naples and Milan.
1999 — 2010
Web Design & Communication
Independent & Small Studios · Naples Area
Self-taught web design and communication, starting from an unlikely classroom: building sites for online gaming teams to organise and coordinate matches. That practical foundation extended to web and communication work for small businesses and associations across the Naples area.
2025 — Present
MA in Semiotics
Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna
Research focus on digital semiotics, visual communication, and the theory of meaning in institutional and media contexts.
2023
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
Google · Coursera
Seven-course program covering the full UX design process: user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.
2022 — 2025
BA in Innovative Communication in Multimedia and Digital environments
IUL University - Florence
Graduated cum laude in media theory, digital communication, and institutional communications.
2011 — 2012
Graphic Design and Advertising Course
New Media Art and Design School - Naples
Practical training in visual communication, typography, and advertising design — brand campaigns, brochure and poster production, and typographic composition.
Street.
Observation.
Chance.
When I'm not designing stuff, I walk and photograph. Street photography is where I train my eye for framing, timing, and the unexpected.
Recognised by Magnum photographers Martin Parr and Steve McCurry. Exhibited at the HistoryMiami Museum during Art Basel Miami, featured in Corriere della Sera Style Magazine. Co-author of 10 Street Photography (Psicografici Editore, 2023).
