The continuous shifting of boundaries between disciplines, areas of knowledge and production models requires design knowledge which must increasingly be able to develop as a translation process between different codes and registries. It is on this level that it is necessary to redefine not only the language and interpretation spheres, but in particular the critical and analytical thresholds of the designer. Translation can therefore be analysed as a basic model for design as a whole. In particular, in the field of Design and Communication, being able to translate means making the contents of the communication process accessible, identifying the most pertinent form of expression for new medium and new formats. Research on the translation model consists in research on communication forms designed within an increasingly cross-language and cross-cultural universe that includes several cultures, supports, systems, languages which coexist and dialogue with each other.
With these assumptions, Design is Translation promotes, in founding terms, the meeting of two components, the culture of Design and the culture of Translation (in Translation Studies terms); it involves other disciplinary fields such as semiotics or media studies; it analyses specific research fields which place their emphasis on the design and artefactual dimensions, thereby ensuring its translation importance emerges.

Giovanni Baule, Communication designer. Full Professor of Industrial Design at the Design Department (Politecnico di Milano); Professor of Design and Communication at the Design School, where he was President of the Bachelor Degree in Design and Communication and Co-ordinator of the Industrial design and multimedia communication Doctorate. He has been a director of "Linea Grafica" (17th Compasso d'Oro Award ADI- Milano) and director of "Area"- a magazine for the culture of design in architecture, design, communication. He is author of many papers on communication design themes and a promoter of the Design and Communication centre for the Territory - DCxT.

Elena Caratti, Architect, Master in E-Design, PhD in Industrial Design and Multimedia Communication. She is Assistant Professor at the Design Department (Politecnico di Milano) and Adjunct professor at the Design School (Politecnico di Milano). In particular, she teaches Visual cultures and Design Elements within the Degree programme in Communication Design. Her research activities mainly concern Basic Design and Visual culture.