Meet Nicola Pighi the President and Founder of Hdemy Group and the NAD – Nuova Accademia del Design in Verona. His vision for founding Hdemy Group was to establish a leading educational institution that offers both online and in-person learning opportunities.
Nicola’s dedication to leveraging technology in education has allowed Hdemy Group to create an immersive and interactive learning environment for students. Through the use of virtual reality, students can explore new worlds and experiment with ideas in ways previously unimagined. Hdemy Group aims to stay at the forefront of the design industry by embracing this innovative approach to education, preparing students to become future leaders and trailblazers.
The Institution
At Hdemy Group, Nicola and the team foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. The values are centered around empowering students to unleash creativity, embrace diversity, and pursue their passion for design and learning. The belief at Hdemy Group is that creativity knows no boundaries, and the diverse student body reflects this core principle. Encouraging an inclusive environment where ideas are freely and constructively shared, Hdemy Group cultivates a rich and dynamic learning community.
Additionally, Hdemy Group is committed to fostering a global perspective deeply rooted in its philosophy. The belief is that exposure to diverse cultures and ideas enriches the educational experience and equips students to tackle design challenges on an international scale. To achieve this, Hdemy Group actively encourages international exchange programs, inviting students from different parts of the world to collaborate and learn from one another. Nurturing this global mindset empowers Hdemy Group’s graduates to become well-rounded designers who can contribute positively to a connected and interdependent world.
With NAD, Nicola sought to revolutionize the educational experience by introducing lessons enhanced by virtual reality technology. NAD provides both telematics and in-person training, and is on the brink of launching virtual reality classes through a partnership with Vection Technologies (https://vection-technologies.com/ ) and their advanced 3D framework software designed for Cisco Webex. In its pursuit of ensuring the credibility and legitimacy of its students’ competencies, NAD has opted for C-BOX as its esteemed collaborator. This platform guarantees an intuitive interface, along with a secure and swift validation mechanism for the awarded badges. This confers substantial worth upon the proficiencies gained by students throughout their training journey.
Commitment to Eco-Conscious Design and Entrepreneurial Empowerment
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Hdemy Group strives to embed eco-conscious practices into its design curricula. Nicola asserts, “We believe that designers have a responsibility to consider the environmental impact of their work and to promote sustainable practices in the design industry. Through our coursework and projects, we encourage our students to develop solutions that are not only innovative and aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible.” By cultivating a generation of environmentally conscious designers, the organization hopes to contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet.
Moreover, Hdemy Group understands the significance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among its students. Alongside providing technical expertise, the institution offers workshops, mentorship programs, and resources to develop essential entrepreneurial skills. The team firmly believes that nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit is vital in preparing Hdemy Group’s graduates to thrive in the competitive design industry. By encouraging students to think like entrepreneurs, the team empowers them to pursue their own ventures, become design thought leaders, and make positive impacts in their communities.
Vision for Design Education and Social Impact
Nicola emphasizes that at the core of Hdemy Group’s educational approach is the belief that design can shape society and improve lives. As the world faces complex challenges, design thinking becomes increasingly important in addressing them across different sectors. Hdemy Group encourages students to embrace their roles as changemakers, using design to create positive social impacts.
By providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge, Hdemy Group inspires them to use design as a tool for creating solutions that benefit individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
The design industry is constantly evolving due to technological advancements and changing societal needs. Hdemy Group is committed to offering the most up-to-date education that meets industry demands, preparing students to be adaptable and innovative designers. The faculty, comprising experienced professionals and educators, ensures that the curriculum remains relevant and cutting-edge, reflecting the latest industry trends and practices.
Nurturing Innovation and Building Partnerships
In this rapidly evolving landscape, the role of the CEO is more critical than ever. As the leader of Hdemy Group, Nicola is deeply involved in guiding the organization’s direction to make sure it stays true to its mission and values. He believes that for any company to do well, the CEO must actively work on business strategy. Nicola stays updated on industry trends, new technologies, and the changing needs of students. This helps him and the team make smart decisions that drive innovation and success.
Besides, Nicola also builds strong relationships with important people and organizations, like industry partners, educational institutions, and government bodies. Working together with these partners allows Hdemy Group to offer students real-world experiences and exposure to various design projects and challenges. By building this network of support, Hdemy Group creates a lively community that helps students excel and thrive in their careers.
Hybrid Approach for Fostering Collaboration and Company Culture
In the post-pandemic era, the future of work becomes a significant topic. Remote work has proven effective in various industries, including design, offering flexibility to improve work-life balance for employees. However, the physical office space remains essential for fostering company culture, collaboration, and team cohesion.
At Hdemy Group, the belief is in adopting a hybrid approach. This approach allows employees and students to enjoy the best of both worlds – the flexibility of remote work, when necessary, along with the opportunity for face-to-face interactions in a physical office or learning environment. By striking the right balance between virtual and in-person experiences, Hdemy Group aims to create a cohesive and inclusive company culture that nurtures creativity, encourages teamwork, and fosters a strong sense of belonging.
Embracing the Future
Nicola shares that as Hdemy Group expands its offerings, the institution aims to maintain a strong sense of community and collaboration. The goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of their location, have access to world-class resources and expertise. The integration of virtual reality into the curriculum is a significant step forward in enhancing the learning process and preparing students for the dynamic design industry.
With virtual reality, students can engage with design challenges in a more immersive and experiential way, which improves their problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills. Hdemy Group’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity remains unwavering. The institution firmly believes that a diverse student body fosters a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, enabling students to approach design challenges from unique angles. Creating a learning environment that celebrates diversity and encourages collaboration among students from different backgrounds and cultures, Hdemy Group aims to nurture empathy and cultural awareness in its graduates.
“We are excited about the future of work and the changing landscape of education. While the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work, we recognize the value of physical interaction in nurturing creativity and building strong relationships among students and faculty. Our aim is to strike the right balance between digital learning and in-person collaboration to offer a holistic and enriching educational experience,” says Nicola.
Nicola also adds as Hdemy Group embraces new educational technologies, it remains committed to preserving the essence of human connection and mentorship that is essential in the learning journey. While virtual learning provides flexibility and access to a vast array of resources, face-to-face interactions foster a sense of belonging and facilitate real-time feedback, which are crucial for students’ growth and development.
