Digital Transitions. Reconstructing the Italian Graphic Design Scene (1980s-1990s)

This research examines the profound impact of the digital revolution on Italian graphic design between the early 1980s and late 1990s — a period marked by the advent of personal computing and desktop publishing. Despite its significance, this transition remains underexplored in both national and international design historiography. Through selected case studies and interviews with key designers, curators, and cultural figures, the study reconstructs the emergence of screen-based and digitally produced graphic design in Italy. Due to the scarcity of archival sources and the obsolescence of early digital formats, oral histories are employed as a central methodological tool, offering insight into the social and professional shifts of the era. The research also identifies generational distinctions and regional patterns, highlighting the role of experimentation and decentralization in shaping a uniquely Italian response to global technological change. This work contributes to broader discussions on digital design history and historiographical methods.