As part of International Week, the team from the Department of Graphic Design at SWPS University led the "Italian Lifestyles" workshop at their partner institution, Italian University of Art and Design (IUAD) in Naples. During the workshop, participants developed typologies of Italian lifestyles using a speculative design approach.
"Italian Lifestyles" – speculatively about lifestyles
The workshop was inspired by the idea of lifestyles—understood as sets of practices, values, relationships, and ways of seeing the world. From this perspective, they help us answer key questions: who we design for and what kinds of experiences shape our design decisions.
During the workshop, participants analyzed lifestyles through the lens of daily practices, consumer choices, media use, social relationships, and values. They also noted that lifestyles are not static—they change under the influence of social, technological, and environmental factors.
Based on this, participants developed speculative typologies of Italian lifestyles using a speculative design approach. Instead of looking for ready-made solutions, the process focused on exploring possible scenarios, testing alternative assumptions, and asking questions that go beyond dominant design models. The outcome included mood boards and graphic symbols representing different types of lifestyles, encouraging reflection on their implications.
The workshop was led by: Mariusz Wszołek, Mateusz Antczak, Joanna Burska-Kopczyk, Zuzanna Zysiek and Paulina Woźniak-Dębińska.
View photos from the workshop
Photo: SWPS University
Photo: SWPS University
Photo: SWPS University
Photo: SWPS University
Photo: SWPS University
Organizers