I am Andrea Benedetti, an Information/UX/UI designer, currently working at the University of Milan. I research, design and maintain the web ecosystem of the University. I was awarded a PhD in Design with a thesis on introducing friction as a design metaphor to shape awareness on digital and media literacy. In my daily practice, I use participatory methods, data visualization, information design and coding to communicate complex architecural structures visually.
Selected Projects
Mapping the ecosystem of acquisitions in the big tech companies empires
A media and information literacy action on AI in European libraries
Archiving expressing digital places from Instagram from the COVID-19 pandemic
Data-driven engagement monitoring platform for the contest from Wikimedia Italia
Visual installation for the ADI Design Museum in Milan
Digital archive of 100 years of banking history of BNP Paribas
Work Experience
2025 - Present
UX/UI Designer
Università degli Studi di Milano
Digital Touchpoint Optimization in the University's digital services, improving accessibility for students and staff. Development and management of the University Design System to reduce prototyping and development times. Implementation of dashboards using Google Analytics and Web Analytics Italia to guide the evolution of services based on behavioral data.
2024 - 2025
Post-Doc Research Assistant (UX/UI & Data visualization)
DensityDesign Lab, Dipartimento di Design, Politecnico di Milano
Design of interfaces and visualization systems for the EMIF MISRL project, facilitating understanding of Artificial Intelligence through innovative information materials. Design and front-end development of platforms for the dissemination of the ERC-funded project “Craftwork” results. Adjunct Professor in Service Design at the School of Design, Product-Service System Design (PSSD) program at the Politecnico di Milano. Support and guidance of data-driven workshop and sprint activities (University of Amsterdam, University of Siegen)
2017 - 2025
Freelance Designer (Education, Data visualization, UX/UI Design)
Self-employed
Educational activities within the private and public sector (BAUER, Afol, Politecnico di Milano School of Graduate Management, Università degli Studi Milano-Bicocca, European Commission). UI Design for Complex Archives (Calibro Srls) for BNP Paribas Luxembourg's online historical archive. Strategic Information Design through a data visualization system for Cartier, to optimize and monitor the global boutique renovation processes. Development of data-driven interfaces and dashboards for SMEs, transforming complex databases into intuitive decision-making tools.
2019 - 2020
Research Assistant (Service Designer, UX/UI Designer, Front-end developer)
DensityDesign Lab, Dipartimento di Design, Politecnico di Milano
Design and front-end development of platforms for disseminating PoliSocial-funded scientific results for SAFARI Njema. Service Design for a digital archive platform for A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage in the fashion design field.
2017 - 2017
Graphic design intern
Dots Studio Srl
Design and production of informational and identity materials for small and medium-sized businesses.
Education
2020 - 2024
PhD in Design
Dipartimento di Design, Politecnico di Milano
Thesis title: “Designs for friction. A design setting to reflect on data-driven technologies through design interventions.” Research and application of Critical Design methods in education and the design of data-driven interaction flows. Adjunct lecturer and teaching assistant in Service Design at international institutions (SOAS London, University of Amsterdam, Politecnico di Milano).
2015 - 2018
Master's Degree in Communication Design
Politecnico di Milano
Final evaluation: 110 cum laude/110
2012 - 2015
Bachelor's Degree in Communication Design
Politecnico di Milano
Final evaluation: 107/110
Selected Publications
Aversa, E., Mauri, M., Briones Rojas, M. de los Á., & Benedetti, A. (2026). Supercharged by AI. Diid, (87), 98–113.
Benedetti, A., & Elli, T. (2025). Designing counter-efficient artifacts: critical educational approaches in creative coding. Interaction Design and Architecture(s), (66), 66–84.
Benedetti, A., & Mauri, M. (2025). Data Design as a Frictional Layer: Data Collections and Design Actions to Produce Discursive Communication Artifacts. In The Sage Hanbook of Data and Society. SAGE Publications.
Colombo, G., & Benedetti, A. (2024). Curating data for urban biodiversity: Three catalogues on local issues in Milan. In Embracing change and supporting transitions. Approaches to systemic change in products, services and systems (Vol. 1, pp. 81–96). FrancoAngeli.
Benedetti, A., Briones Rojas, M. D. L. A., & Bellantuono, A. (2024). Algorithmic you. Un design-setting per la riappropriazione e rimediazione di dati personali tramite la progettazione di narrative poetiche. Ocula. Occhio Semiotico Sui Media, 28(Visualità della scrittura nelle arti e nella comunicazione visiva).
Benedetti, A., & Mauri, M. (2023). Design for friction. An inquiry to position friction as a method for reflection in design interventions. Convergences - Journal of Research and Arts Education, 16(31).
Gobbo, B., Briones Rojas, M. D. L. A., Aversa, E., Benedetti, A., Elli, T., Mauri, M., & Colombo, G. (2022). Staging and storing data sprint-based research results: A communication design approach [Universitat de València].
Gobbo, B., & Benedetti, A. (2021). Expressive digital place making as means of aggregation.: A case study from the COVID-19 pandemic. CHItaly 2021: 14th Biannual Conference of the Italian SIGCHI Chapter, 1–5.
Benedetti, A., Elli, T., & Mauri, M. (2020, July). DRAWING WITH CODE: THE EXPERIENCE OF TEACHING CREATIVE CODING AS A SKILL FOR COMMUNICATION DESIGNERS. EDULEARN20 Proceedings.
Feel free to contact me at bndndr@icloud.com