A few lines getting to know me
Who I amBorn and raised in Syracuse in the late 1980s, I lived my childhood and adolescence with the dream of becoming an “animal doctor”, realising, however, that creating beautiful layouts of my notes at the University of Veterinary Medicine was more rewarding than studying them.
I discovered that I had dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia at the age of 23 and, because of this, I embarked on my academic studies with the desire to help as many people as possible, while maintaining the scientific imprint of my previous studies.
I like non-fiction books, manuals and dystopian novels: reading is the greatest act of freedom, personal and professional growth. I love technology, but even more so modernism, which is why typewriters and retro games fascinate me like the song of sirens.
I live in symbiosis with Big Boss, a red demon with cat-like features, the main attraction of work calls.
A few lines getting to know me
Who I AmBorn and raised in Syracuse in the late 1980s, I lived my childhood and adolescence with the dream of becoming an “animal doctor”, realising, however, that creating beautiful layouts of my notes at the University of Veterinary Medicine was more rewarding than studying them.
I discovered that I had dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia at the age of 23 and, because of this, I embarked on my academic studies with the desire to help as many people as possible, while maintaining the scientific imprint of my previous studies.
I like non-fiction books, manuals and dystopian novels: reading is the greatest act of freedom, personal and professional growth. I love technology, but even more so modernism, which is why typewriters and retro games fascinate me like the song of sirens.
I live in symbiosis with Big Boss, a red demon with cat-like features, the main attraction of work calls.
Research experience
and Research InterestsVisual communication and public utility graphic design; Inclusive communication and accessibility; Legibility studies and evidence-based design; Museum communication strategies; Compensatory tools for people with specific learning disorders.
PhD researcher
ISIA Faenza and Museo internazionale delle ceramiche in faenza – Faenza (RA), Italy
december 2024 – present (expected term december 2027)
Field research at MIC Faenza (analysis of visual communication, accessibility strategies, co-design of Easy to Read visitor guide prototype); Testing of assistive reading technologies at CInAP Catania (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion); Organisation and supervision of High Legibility Editorial Design workshop at ISIA Faenza (design of adult high-legibility book prototypes).
Teaching Assistant in Graphic Design for Heritage
Academy of fine arts of Catania – Catania, Italy
october 2021 – october 2023
Supported curricular and extracurricular teaching activities, workshops and seminars.
Education
My educational growthI strongly believe in this profession, which is why I have invested time and resources to acquire the right skills. You never stop learning: given the constant evolution of software, technologies, trends and the market, I continue to update myself constantly.
PhD in Visual Communication Design and Public Utility
ISIA Faenza – Faenza (RA), Italy
december 2024 – present (expected term december 2027)
Subject: High Legibility – New Paradigms for Inclusive Museum Communication. Funded by MUR and Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza (MIC), MUR DM 630/24. Supervisors: Prof. Daniela Lotta, PhD; Prof. Dr. Marco Lo Curzio.
MA in Visual Communication
Academy of fine arts of Catania – Catania, Italy
november 2019 – september 2021
Thesis: Dysgraphic Design, Guide to Inclusive Editorial Design for Adulthood. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Marco Lo Curzio. Final Mark: 110/110 cum laude.
BA in Visual Communication and Product Design
ABADIR – Academy of Design and Visual Arts – S. Agata li battiati (CT), Italy
november 2016 – july 2019
Thesis: Fabula Rasa – Rethinking the relationship between cinema and comics. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Alessandro De Filippo. Final Mark: 110/110 cum laude.
Professional experience
My professional growthOver the years, I have gained design experience from the field of visual communication to product design. The result of each project is the fruit of research, innovation, attention to detail and care for the end user.
Visual designer
freelance
september 2019 – present
Brand design; editorial design; print design; digital design (3D concept and motion graphics); web design; digital illustration.
Graphic designer
Fratelli burgio – Siracusa, italy
january 2023 – december 2024
Print and digital design; packaging; food label; exhibition.
Visual and graphic designer
Sampognaro & pupi editore – Siracusa, italy
june 2022 – december 2022
Prototyping and realization of some editorial series, print and digital design.
Graphic/interior design internship
Studio of Engineer Alvaro Circo – Augusta (SR), Italy
june 2017 – march 2018
Planning, development and prototyping of interior design; creation of floor plans, sections, building elevations and renderings.
Teaching Experience
and Research InterestsSince 2024, I have been delivering teaching activities in Visual Communication Design, closely related to my PhD research topic, through lectures and workshops for students at ISIA Faenza and the Accademia di Belle Arti di Catania, Italy.
From 2022 to 2024, I held multiple lecturer positions at secondary education institutions in Siracusa, Italy. I taught courses in Technology of Production Processes, Drawing and Art History, Art and Image, Technology and IT.
Awards and funding
- PhD Scholarship, MUR DM 630/24, ISIA Faenza (2024–2027).
Exhibition participation
- 80th Anniversary of the Liberation: Graphics and Music (Academy of fine arts of Catania, 2025);
- Mappemondi fuoribordo: Graphic Paths for Heritage (Academy of fine arts of Catania, 2023);
- Multimedia Books, Graphic Experimentation (Academy of fine arts of Catania, 2021);
- Designing to Resist: Graphics as Civic Conscience (Academy of fine arts of Catania, 2021);
- Stati Federali – Sicilia 2132 (Academy of fine arts of Catania, 2021);
- X una giusta causa – Code the future (ABADIR, 2018–2019);
- Serious but not too serious games (ABADIR, 2019);
- A voce bassa (Battiati legge) (ABADIR, 2018);
- Placit, The Played City. Creative Reuse Workshop (ABADIR, 2016–2017).