Visual Design and Communication

Overview

An architect, Franco Achilli trained with Alfred Hohenegger, Giorgio Fioravanti and Gianni Sassi, then at the New York School of Visual Arts. After acting as assistant to Emilio Fioravanti at G&R Associati, he opened his own first office in Milan in 1985 with Guglielmo Ghizzardi and Mario Piazza. In 1995, he launched A+G Achilli Ghizzardi Associati, which he still runs today, working in architecture, brand and exhibition design, and publishing graphics. 

His clients in a career spanning over thirty years have included industrial and commercial groups, publishers and international organisations. He has continuous experience in lecturing in design schools and teaches Visual Identity in Brands at the IULM University in Milan. He has been a Visiting Professor at the Northern Illinois University and had held courses at the University of Palermo, the Art Institute of Chicago, Milan Polytechnic, the IUAV in Venice and other universities. 

Why?

If the world’s geography is made up of intercommunicating vessels, which tools do we need to be sure that our messages do not fall by the wayside? Visual design is the discipline practised by those who develop major flows of information and content. Each sign is followed by a reaction. Each step forward is followed by a trade or an exchange. What’s important is that they are always constructive, fair and interesting.

Professional opportunities

Visual designers find employment in areas where firms have to relate to the public, such as in editorial offices, production companies and start-ups. And also, of course, in the design and communication industry, as freelancers or in the galaxy of local and international graphic design, branding, advertising, digital and service design offices and agencies. 

From an ATM user interface to television title credits, from biscuit packages to speeding fines, from the newspapers we read to the events we attend to the socks we wear, the whole world is a huge mine of opportunities for design. Visual Design and Communication is offered at Raffles Milano Fashion and Design Institute.