Mario Zignego

Mario Zignego is Full Professor at the University of Genoa, Department of Architecture and Design (DAD), where he coordinates the Nautical Product Design degree course, serves on the Board of Directors for the same programme, and is a member of the Technology Transfer Commission.

Research Interests:
His scholarly work lies at the intersection of nautical architecture and artificial intelligence. He investigates how multi-agent systems can navigate and manage scientific knowledge, explores human-centred AI for emotion recognition in confined marine environments, and advances industrial and yacht design methodologies augmented by intelligent systems.

Teaching & Service:
He teaches several core courses across bachelor and master levels:

• Nautical Design Theory 3
• Industrial Design Laboratory 3 – Nautical Product Design
• Applied Industrial Design B – Nautical Engineering
• Industrial Design 3-2
• Yacht Design Studio Workshop B – Yacht Design Master

Publications & Trends:
Recent publications (2024–2025) demonstrate a clear trajectory toward embedding AI and affective computing into yacht design workflows, focusing on modular emotion-sensing frameworks, knowledge-navigation agents, and future-oriented concepts of superhuman harmony in marine craft.

Offices & Contact:
He holds weekly office hours: Wednesday mornings in Genoa (by appointment) and Thursdays in La Spezia (by appointment), reachable at mario.ivan.zignego@unige.it.