Topics and history

The journal "XY", published digitally since 2016, is the natural evolution and historical continuity of the print series "XY dimensioni del disegno". Founded in 1986 (initially published by CEDIS and from 1990 by Officina Edizioni), the original journal was the first in Italy to dedicate itself systematically to studies on architectural representation and the use of the image in science, technology and art. Since its inception, the editorial project has drawn on the support and scientific contributions of leading figures in the international cultural and academic landscape, including Michele Emmer, Decio Gioseffi, Ernst H. Gombrich, Richard L. Gregory, Corrado Maltese, Ruggero Pierantoni, Franco Purini, Lucio Saffaro and Vittorio Ugo.

History and Scientific Tradition

During its first twenty years of activity (up to 2002), the journal served as a cutting-edge critical review across historical, theoretical, experimental and applied fields. Its original programme – symbolised by the Cartesian coordinates in its name – aimed to stimulate research within the scientific-disciplinary sector of drawing, while promoting cross-disciplinary connections related to the two-dimensionality of the image.

Throughout its history, the journal has promoted major scientific events and conferences that have shaped the development of the discipline, including:

  • the Rome conference I fondamenti scientifici della rappresentazione (The Scientific Foundations of Representation, 1986), which served as the journal's programmatic starting point;
  • the Perugia conference Il rilievo tra storia e scienza (Surveying between History and Science, 1989), the outcomes of which proved foundational for all subsequent disciplinary developments;
  • the Perugia conference I luoghi del segno epocale (Places of the Epochal Sign, 1997), which brought the issue of the 'periphery' to the centre of architectural debate from a linguistic and figurative perspective.

This rich production was complemented by monographic issues, thematic registers and, from 1992, the book series «I libri di XY», established to offer essays and monographs dedicated to fostering critical dialogue between different fields of knowledge.

Contemporary Evolution and Scope

Today, in perfect continuity with this prestigious heritage, "XY" is configured as a new peer-reviewed, multilingual, diamond open-access journal, since 2026 definitely published bi-annually. Positioned within the scientific area of Civil Engineering and Architecture, the journal maintains its core focus on graphical investigation and communication across both design and cognitive frameworks, exploring emerging, transdisciplinary themes well ahead of general trends.

To ensure the highest scholarly standards and rigour for all published essays, the journal adopts a strict double-blind peer review process.