The XR-Driven Design Thinking & Innovation course explores how XR (AR & VR) technologies can transform innovation processes. Participants learn to apply design thinking methods and technical tools to conceptualise, prototype, and assess XR-based solutions in real-world contexts.
The programme blends academic rigour with hands-on practice, offering participants the skills to manage and deliver innovation projects powered by XR technologies.
Info Session: XR for Accelerating Industrial Innovation
Discover how XR is transforming industrial design, engineering, and collaboration - enabling faster prototyping, smarter teamwork, and immersive customer experiences.
Roundtable speakers:
- Gabriele Romagnoli, Tech Ambassador (Moderator)
- Margherita Peruzzini, Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna
- Jordane Richter, Head of Sales and Marketing, LS Group
- Angela Di Massa, Design Lead, BSD Design
Course insight session:
- Alessandro Pollini, Sapienza Design Research, Sapienza University of Rome
- Ioannis Chatzigiannakis, Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome
🎓 They introduced the upcoming XR-Driven Design Thinking and Innovation Course, developed by EIT Manufacturing and Sapienza Design Research.
👉 Join us to explore how XR is accelerating industrial innovation and shaping the future of design and manufacturing.
Who should attend
This programme is designed for professionals and graduates eager to explore how XR can create tangible business and societal impact:
- Innovation & R&D Managers seeking to leverage XR for new product development and digital transformation.
- Entrepreneurs & startup founders developing immersive or Industry 4.0 solutions.
- Consultants & freelancers specialising in user experience, product design, or business innovation.
- Young professionals & graduates in STEM or design fields aiming to build XR expertise and boost employability.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Integrate Design Thinking principles with XR tools to drive innovation in projects.
- Design and prototype immersive XR experiences addressing real user needs.
- Evaluate and communicate the business value and impact of XR technologies.
- Combine AI, IoT, and data-driven approaches to extend XR applications.
- Develop a strategic innovation roadmap for implementation within their organisation or startup.
Learning Format and Activities
The program includes 80 hours of live online sessions and three optional Innovation Studios in Rome.
Learning activities include:
- Interactive lectures and design sprints.
- Practical labs using tools such as Unity, Vuforia and FrameVR.
- Industry case studies and guest talks.
- Peer collaboration and structured feedback.
- One-to-one mentoring with XR experts.
Innovation Studio (Optional)
Three weekend workshops at Sapienza University (Friday & Saturday mornings) focused on hands-on XR development, advanced prototyping, and networking with researchers and industry mentors.
The learning journey
Add-On: Innovation Studio
with project mentoring and in-person labs at Sapienza University in Rome
Faculty
Certification and partners
EIT Manufacturing
South
EIT Manufacturing is one of the nine Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
Its ecosystem is composed of more than 170 organisations (universities, research institutes and businesses) focused on manufacturing in innovation ecosystems that add unique value to European products, processes, and services, and inspire the creation of globally competitive and sustainable manufacturing.
EIT Manufacturing’s Impact Centre South (IC South), headquartered in Milan, Italy, covers Southern Europe, comprising Italy, Malta, Switzerland, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Montenegro. It forms part of a network of six regional Impact Centres.
Sapienza University of Rome
Interdept. Centre Sapienza Design Research (SDR)
SDR is the only interdepartmental university centre at both the regional and national level that focuses on design-driven innovation and design research.
The centre focuses on applied research, interactions with the social context (third mission), and lifelong learning, developed with multidisciplinary contributions and interdisciplinary approaches, and pursuing transdisciplinary outcomes.
With the participation of 66 professors and researchers from 12 departments, it works on four research axes:
- Industry, Making and Made in Italy
- Digital Society and Social Innovation
- Cultural Experience
- Health Innovation
Join the XR Innovation Journey
Be part of Europe’s growing XR ecosystem. Learn from leading experts, collaborate with peers across disciplines, and create impactful XR solutions for the digital and sustainable transformation of industry.