Mapping Excellence in Manufacturing. Southern Italian Perspectives Between Design and Craftsmanship

The research project "DeinSite" – The Design System in the Southern Italy Territories investigates the strategic relationship between design and craftsmanship as a lever for local development in Southern Italy. An initial mapping phase conducted in the Campania region identified corporate museums, production districts, and artisanal SMEs, highlighting the interplay between heritage, innovation, and material culture. The article presents the methodology, selection criteria, and key findings of this mapping, offering a critical reflection on its limits and potential. Challenges included fragmented data collection, the heterogeneity of case studies, and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the digital platform created. Future developments include extending the mapping to other southern regions, activating workshops and exhibitions, and strengthening the platform as a shared infrastructure for connection and co-design. The contribution outlines a model for the integrated valorisation of local know-how, positioning design as a cultural mediator and catalyst for new territorial networks.