“After years of commitment and dedication, I have realized my dream of creating an institution that not only teaches design but lives and embodies it in every aspect” – Nicola Pighi, CEO and founder.
In 2010, NAD – Nuova Accademia del Design was born from an idea by its founder and CEO, Nicola Pighi, who created an academy of applied arts to respond concretely and promptly to the demands of the job market. Located in the heart of Verona, the Academy is housed in the historic Magazzini Generali, now an important hub for professional activities, and is continuously expanding, with two additional locations in Milan and Florence.
In NAD, art, creativity, and knowledge come together to create a true laboratory of ideas, shaping countless future designers who are highly sought after by companies in the field. NAD's educational offering is vast and diverse, including one-year, two-year, and three-year programs, as well as professional and short courses. This broad range of programs is further enriched by complementary activities, creating a dynamic and constantly evolving academic environment.
In NAD, art, creativity, and knowledge come together to create a true laboratory of ideas, shaping countless future designers who are highly sought after by companies in the field. NAD's educational offering is vast and diverse, including one-year, two-year, and three-year programs, as well as professional and short courses. This broad range of programs is further enriched by complementary activities, creating a dynamic and constantly evolving academic environment.
MISSION AND VALUES
The mission of NAD – Nuova Accademia del Design is to create complete educational programs for young people, professionals and companies seeking growth to establish themselves in the world of design, with a focus on business and sector innovations with high technological value.
For this reason, NAD is based on four fundamental elements, essential keys to achieving its goals: Innovation, being a place where creative thinking is constantly stimulated with new technologies, trends and methodologies. The classrooms are laboratories where students can experiment and collaborate on cutting-edge projects, developing innovative ideas; Sustainability, teaching how to anticipate the environmental impact of projects and develop sustainable solutions, with materials, production processes, and ethics always at the core of the education; Inclusivity, ensuring opportunities and pathways suitable for everyone, with a fair educational experience, personalized and aimed at success, where each student is valued and supported; Immersivity, with well-equipped labs, advanced technologies such as VR and Augmented Reality headsets, creative spaces, and collaborative projects with other major realities, offering a hands-on experience essential for training competent designers.
The Nuova Accademia del Design aims to become a national and international reference point in education and the field of design, thanks to the excellence of its courses and training programs, designed to provide high-level skills and cutting-edge knowledge. The use of new technologies and constant attention to market trends allow the academy to remain at the forefront of design education, significantly contributing to the growth and professional development of its students.
The mission of NAD – Nuova Accademia del Design is to create complete educational programs for young people, professionals and companies seeking growth to establish themselves in the world of design, with a focus on business and sector innovations with high technological value.
For this reason, NAD is based on four fundamental elements, essential keys to achieving its goals: Innovation, being a place where creative thinking is constantly stimulated with new technologies, trends and methodologies. The classrooms are laboratories where students can experiment and collaborate on cutting-edge projects, developing innovative ideas; Sustainability, teaching how to anticipate the environmental impact of projects and develop sustainable solutions, with materials, production processes, and ethics always at the core of the education; Inclusivity, ensuring opportunities and pathways suitable for everyone, with a fair educational experience, personalized and aimed at success, where each student is valued and supported; Immersivity, with well-equipped labs, advanced technologies such as VR and Augmented Reality headsets, creative spaces, and collaborative projects with other major realities, offering a hands-on experience essential for training competent designers.
The Nuova Accademia del Design aims to become a national and international reference point in education and the field of design, thanks to the excellence of its courses and training programs, designed to provide high-level skills and cutting-edge knowledge. The use of new technologies and constant attention to market trends allow the academy to remain at the forefront of design education, significantly contributing to the growth and professional development of its students.
A HIGH-QUALITY TEACHING STAFF
NAD promotes excellence and educational programs through a learning-by-doing methodology and a teaching staff made up of professionals from their respective fields, supported by renowned companies and design studios. Their experience and dedication enable students to acquire high-level skills, ensuring continuous and targeted updates that prepare them effectively for the job market, inspiring them to achieve extraordinary heights in the field of design. NAD provides a stimulating environment where everyone can develop their talents, fostering the exchange of ideas, innovation, and professional growth, with top-quality education and services.
ACCADEMIA DI DESIGN E COMUNICAZIONE – CAPPIELLO IN FLORENCE
Since 2024, NAD has expanded its vision and educational offerings with the acquisition of the renowned Accademia di Design e Comunicazione – Cappiello in Florence, a historic academy that has been active for over 60 years. This merger aims to strengthen NAD’s commitment to providing superior education in the fields of design and communication, further enhancing its role as a leader in these industries.
The Cappiello Academy stands out for its professional training in the fields of design and communication. The constant updating of its courses serves as a benchmark for preparing professionals ready to excel in the contemporary world.
The union between NAD and the Cappiello Academy represents an extraordinary synergy that combines NAD's innovative and cutting-edge approach with Cappiello's rich tradition. This combination guarantees a unique educational experience, offering advanced resources and state-of-the-art technologies, including modern laboratories, updated software, and expert instructors. Together, they provide students with access to the latest tools and knowledge in the fields of design and communication.
Students have the opportunity to benefit from an enriched curriculum, with access to a wide range of courses, seminars, and workshops covering all areas of design and communication: from graphic design to fashion communication, from digital communication to interior design. This comprehensive offering ensures that students can develop a diverse skill set and explore various facets of the design and communication industries.
NAD promotes excellence and educational programs through a learning-by-doing methodology and a teaching staff made up of professionals from their respective fields, supported by renowned companies and design studios. Their experience and dedication enable students to acquire high-level skills, ensuring continuous and targeted updates that prepare them effectively for the job market, inspiring them to achieve extraordinary heights in the field of design. NAD provides a stimulating environment where everyone can develop their talents, fostering the exchange of ideas, innovation, and professional growth, with top-quality education and services.
ACCADEMIA DI DESIGN E COMUNICAZIONE – CAPPIELLO IN FLORENCE
Since 2024, NAD has expanded its vision and educational offerings with the acquisition of the renowned Accademia di Design e Comunicazione – Cappiello in Florence, a historic academy that has been active for over 60 years. This merger aims to strengthen NAD’s commitment to providing superior education in the fields of design and communication, further enhancing its role as a leader in these industries.
The Cappiello Academy stands out for its professional training in the fields of design and communication. The constant updating of its courses serves as a benchmark for preparing professionals ready to excel in the contemporary world.
The union between NAD and the Cappiello Academy represents an extraordinary synergy that combines NAD's innovative and cutting-edge approach with Cappiello's rich tradition. This combination guarantees a unique educational experience, offering advanced resources and state-of-the-art technologies, including modern laboratories, updated software, and expert instructors. Together, they provide students with access to the latest tools and knowledge in the fields of design and communication.
Students have the opportunity to benefit from an enriched curriculum, with access to a wide range of courses, seminars, and workshops covering all areas of design and communication: from graphic design to fashion communication, from digital communication to interior design. This comprehensive offering ensures that students can develop a diverse skill set and explore various facets of the design and communication industries.
CERTIFICATIONS
Over the years, the Nuova Accademia del Design has earned numerous certifications, solidifying its reputation for excellence in design and communication education. Among them, the ISO 9001:2015 certification, issued by Transpacific Certification Limited. This certification outlines the minimum requirements that a Quality Management System must meet to ensure the level of quality in products and services that an organization claims to offer both internally and to the market. Today, ISO 9001:2015 is the most widely recognized international standard.
The Interior Design course has also been recognized by CEPAS Bureau Veritas, an internationally renowned certification body, as a comprehensive program for acquiring transferable skills for the role of Interior Designer.
NAD – Nuova Accademia del Design is an Authorized Certiport Center through its affiliation with Tesi Automazione. This enables the academy to issue globally recognized certifications for Adobe and Autodesk software.
NAD offers the opportunity to obtain IQC Digital Badge certifications, which attest to and represent skills in an intelligible, reliable, and credible way. The Digital Badge is awarded upon the completion of a specific activity or course offered by NAD.
There are two categories available: Open Badge, which certifies the completion of a course, project, or training; Competence Badge, a more complete certification that attests to demonstrated competence in a specific area. It provides a detailed description of the skills acquired and the evidence of competence provided.
Over the years, the Nuova Accademia del Design has earned numerous certifications, solidifying its reputation for excellence in design and communication education. Among them, the ISO 9001:2015 certification, issued by Transpacific Certification Limited. This certification outlines the minimum requirements that a Quality Management System must meet to ensure the level of quality in products and services that an organization claims to offer both internally and to the market. Today, ISO 9001:2015 is the most widely recognized international standard.
The Interior Design course has also been recognized by CEPAS Bureau Veritas, an internationally renowned certification body, as a comprehensive program for acquiring transferable skills for the role of Interior Designer.
NAD – Nuova Accademia del Design is an Authorized Certiport Center through its affiliation with Tesi Automazione. This enables the academy to issue globally recognized certifications for Adobe and Autodesk software.
NAD offers the opportunity to obtain IQC Digital Badge certifications, which attest to and represent skills in an intelligible, reliable, and credible way. The Digital Badge is awarded upon the completion of a specific activity or course offered by NAD.
There are two categories available: Open Badge, which certifies the completion of a course, project, or training; Competence Badge, a more complete certification that attests to demonstrated competence in a specific area. It provides a detailed description of the skills acquired and the evidence of competence provided.
