Prof.

TAMBORRINI Paolo Marco

Professore di I fascia
Settore scientifico disciplinare
Design
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My research activity is structured around three main strands:

1. Sustainable design and systemic design for managing complexity.
This strand addresses issues related to sustainable design within the perspective of good design, with regard to products, and of systemic design in relation to the management of complexity. In particular, this research focuses on the design of open, autopoietic systems which, through a network of non-linear relationships, are able to connect with one another, ensuring efficient management of production outputs and enabling their transformation into new sustainable resources. Sustainability is therefore understood not only as a value to pursue, but also as a tool for design-driven innovation, capable of fostering and supporting positive actions at behavioural, economic and social levels.

2. Innovation as a dynamic and multifaceted driver.
This strand is guided by innovation understood as a dynamic and multifaceted force capable of responding to specific needs, by reinterpreting and enhancing the relationships between people and their context. Particular attention is devoted to quantitative and qualitative context analysis, which considers not only cultural, social and economic aspects, but also all local stakeholders involved in the territory. This analysis thus becomes a strategic lever for the successful development of sustainability-oriented projects.

3. Communication and design experimentation.
The third strand focuses on communication, investigating and experimenting across different disciplinary areas. It shifts attention from graphic design as mere visual production towards the visual narration of values and qualitative data, and up to the construction of interactive virtual realities. This form of communication aims to qualify and support the transfer of complex and heterogeneous phenomena, contributing to the development of shared understanding.

Current scientific interests partly aim to extend these strands further, pushing the first one—sustainable design—towards sectors still scarcely engaged with environmental challenges. At the same time, my research seeks to integrate the three strands, so that communication becomes sustainable and innovative from a product perspective, while also defining tools for sustainability, including through open design networking dynamics. Overall, the research explores individual behaviours and their impact on communities, focusing on the relationship between design, territory and sustainability.

 

Academic Sector

Academic Discipline (Settore Scientifico Disciplinare): 08/CEAR-08/D Design
ORCID: 0000-0001-7577-7138

Founder of the InnovationDesignLab and actively involved in research and development projects in the field of design.

Currently President-elect of the Inter-university Degree Programme in Sustainable Design for the Food System, University of Parma and Politecnico di Torino.

Member of the CIPACK research group (Interdepartmental Centre for Packaging) at the University of Parma, dedicated to the development of advanced solutions in the packaging field. The Design Unit within CIPACK focuses on designing innovative packaging solutions that respond to market and consumer needs. This unit is dedicated to the ideation and development of functional and sustainable designs, using eco-compatible materials and cutting-edge technologies. Its main activities include research and development of new packaging prototypes, consultancy for companies aimed at improving the aesthetic and functional aspects of products, and feasibility studies for implementing more sustainable packaging solutions.

Editor-in-Chief of the journal Graphicus – Progettare la comunicazione, included in the ANVUR list of scientific journals.
https://www.graphicusmag.it/

Scientific activity includes participation in numerous national and international conferences, publication outputs in the fields of design, communication and design systems, and involvement in scientific committees of journals and conferences. Carries out institutional teaching activity in Design degree programmes. Has supervised a significant number of Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD theses, often connected to applied research projects and collaborations with companies and institutions. Several projects and scientific contributions have received academic awards and recognitions.

INSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENTS

14/11/2025 – present
By Rectoral Decree (Rep. No. 1873 of 14/11/2025), Representative of the University of Parma in the Members’ Assembly of the National Technological Cluster Association “Made in Italy”.

03/05/2023 – present
Rector’s Delegate to the Permanent Regional Board for the Fashion Sector of Emilia-Romagna.

01/11/2022 – present
Appointed Representative of the Inter-university Degree Programme in Sustainable Design for the Food System (University of Parma and Politecnico di Torino) at the Conference of Italian University Design Programmes (CUID).

31/10/2021 – 31/10/2022
Appointed Vice-President of the Inter-university Degree Programme in Sustainable Design for the Food System (University of Parma and Politecnico di Torino).

30/03/2021 – 31/08/2021
Coordinator of the Education & Public Awareness area (Green Team), Politecnico di Torino.

since 17 July 2019
By resolution of the Academic Senate of Politecnico di Torino (17 July 2019), Coordinator of the 1st level annual Master’s Programme ECO PACKAGING DESIGN: Systemic Innovation Design for Packaging, delivered by Politecnico di Torino in collaboration with the Italian Packaging Institute (Istituto Italiano Imballaggio), under the patronage of Corepla and Comieco.

03/11/2018 – 31/08/2021
Member of the Spin-off Committee, Politecnico di Torino.

01/10/2018 – 31/08/2021
Member of the Technical Committee for the Coordination of Teaching and Training Activities, Politecnico di Torino.

12/10/2015 – 31/08/2021 (re-elected for a second term in 2018)
Elected Coordinator of the Design Board (Collegio Design), Politecnico di Torino. This role also includes:

  • Programme Representative for the Bachelor’s Degree in Design and Visual Communication (L3)

  • Programme Representative for the Master’s Degree in Systemic Design

  • Member of the Technical Committee for the Coordination of Teaching and Training Activities
    As part of the same role, member of CUID, the university association representing design education in the Italian public university system and its cultural policy orientations.

30/07/2013 – 12/10/2015
Elected by the Department of Architecture and Design and subsequently appointed by Rectoral Decree (D.R. 288/2013) as Member of the Board of the School of Master’s and Lifelong Learning, representing the Department.

16/05/2012 – 2018
By resolution of the Board of Directors of Politecnico di Torino (16 May 2012), Consultant for the organisational unit reporting to the Rector – CORE, Office of Communication and External Relations, supporting all university communication activities.

24/01/2012 – 12/10/2015
By resolution of the Academic Senate of Politecnico di Torino (24 January 2012), Coordinator of the Master’s Programme in Marketing, Communication and Design, delivered by Politecnico di Torino in collaboration with the University of Turin, Faculty of Economics.

by appointment

Anno accademico di erogazione: 2025/2026

Anno accademico di erogazione: 2024/2025

Anno accademico di erogazione: 2023/2024

Anno accademico di erogazione: 2022/2023

Anno accademico di erogazione: 2021/2022

Professor/Teacher

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Office location

Campus Scienze e Tecnologie - Padiglione 10 - Sede Scientifica di Ingegneria
Parco Area delle Scienze, 181/A
43124 PARMA