Growing the skills that bring people, technology and context together

As usual, it is during our winter retreat that we present and share the Tangible Academy. A moment to pause, look back at the path we have taken, and focus on the skills we want to continue investing in together. It is also an opportunity to spend time together outside the rhythm of daily projects, and to recognise the value of shared time as an integral part of the way we work.

Our Academy is a series of sessions distributed throughout the year, designed to build a shared language, strengthen skills, and support people in their professional growth. The programme combines in-person moments and remote sessions, alternating synchronous work, discussion and experimentation. Over the years, this format has helped us observe how skills truly grow when they are connected to context, projects and people.

The Tangible Academy 2026 has been conceived as the natural continuation of a path started in previous years. This year, the focus shifts towards greater professional maturity, strengthening individual and collective responsibility and placing increasing emphasis on the ability to guide complex conversations in the contexts in which we operate.

A shared language for thinking and acting as Tangiblers

At the core of the Academy lies what, for us, is non-negotiable: a shared language, built on common references, values, care and responsibility.

This is what we call the Tangible mindset: a set of foundational skills that enable everyone at Tangible to recognise themselves in a shared way of thinking and acting, regardless of their role.

Alongside this, the Tangible role continues to evolve. This is the path that supports each person in our company in developing their role today and opening up new perspectives for tomorrow, through more specific, future-oriented skills.

Continuity and new priorities

In 2026, some elements remain central, while others shift direction.

The work on the Tangible role related to AI upskilling continues. Artificial intelligence is now an integral part of the projects and processes we work on. It therefore becomes a design material to understand, govern and make legible.

At the same time, the Tangible mindset is enriched by two new key focus areas.

• Communication skills, to strengthen the ability to communicate value, manage feedback, create alignment and address conflict.
• Team, understood as a living space for collaboration. Working together in complex contexts requires intention, listening and a strong awareness of relational dynamics.

Training communication skills in real contexts with Dédalus

One of the pillars of the 2026 Academy is Dédalus, an immersive learning experience dedicated to communication skills. This is the third collaboration with Alessandro Cravera from Newton Group, following "The Cage" and "Shed65", which over the years have supported us in developing managerial and relational skills.

The programme unfolds across five narrative universes, each composed of episodes that put key competencies to the test:

• persuasion and influence

• feedback management

• building rapport

• conflict management

Realistic scenarios, decisions to be made, relationships to navigate.
Communication emerges as a structural skill, capable of shaping the quality of everyday work and the way people collaborate.

AI, design and business: training with Marzia Aricò

In 2026, the Academy goes even deeper into the relationship between AI, design and business through a dedicated programme with Marzia Aricò.

The focus is to support a selected group of Tangible people in leading AI Sprints, facilitating complex workshops and engaging business stakeholders in informed conversations about the role of artificial intelligence.

The programme is structured around four moments:

• an initial alignment on the role of design in AI-enabled organisations
• feedback and refinement work on AI Sprint content and storytelling
• a deep dive into the dynamics and interests of key business stakeholders
• a final in-person coaching and roleplay session, to train presence, language and confidence

Technical skills intertwine with the ability to navigate complexity and to guide conversations that bring together governance, value and impact.

When everyday work becomes Academy

Another central element will be the contribution of the Stack. The moments of sharing and restitution proposed during Internal Days will fully become part of the Academy.

Everything that is intentionally shared with the team becomes part of the learning journey: practices, tools, project experiences, reflections on processes and ways of working. Even IxD Spritz sessions (protected virtual spaces for discussing experiences, ideas and anything related to the role of Interaction Designer) can become Academy moments, as can more structured explorations of emerging topics.

In 2026, the Stack will continue the work started in previous years, with the confirmation of Antonio and Francesco, and the addition of Daniele supporting operations and delivery. With the third official member, a space opens up to explore AI-powered discovery approaches, starting from scratch and allowing the path to take shape over time.

Shared readings for a common context

As in previous years, the 2026 Academy is supported by a set of shared readings, designed to build common ground for reference and discussion.

Alongside the new materials introduced this year, two mandatory readings remain in place for everyone working at Tangible. These are texts we encourage people to read and reread, as they help clarify our role within an ever-evolving digital ecosystem:

• Small businesses’ guide to the AI Act, to understand the regulatory context and its implications
• Ethical Design e AI in pratica: Ethical Considerations in AI Design & Designing AI Transparency, a series of guides and white papers for designers
• La Guida dei diritti di cittadinanza digitali, to understand the Public Administration tools available to citizens
• An in-depth exploration of the Digital Services Act, to reflect on the impact of European regulations on everyday life and on our work

Growing together, with intention

The Tangible Academy 2026 continues to be an investment in people. Above all, it is an investment in how we work together.

Training skills, building shared languages, and taking the time to grow are choices that speak of vision, trust and responsibility.

Because the value we create externally takes shape from what we cultivate internally.