About
I'm Adolfo Zilli, a Unity and AI developer, 3D artist, teacher and author, based in Mestre (Venice), Italy. I started writing video games on a Commodore 64 at 14, and I have been building interactive software for over twenty-five years.
I have worked as an employee, as a contractor and as R&D lead. Since 2021 I have worked with two Italian national research institutes, CNR and IIT, and I have a peer-reviewed publication. Much of my work is in fields where results must be verifiable: healthcare, clinical rehabilitation, cultural heritage conservation.
In numbers
- 25 years of interactive software
- 2 national research institutes: CNR and IIT
- 20+ shipped games, apps and installations
- 40+ institutions taught for
Career
| Years | Client | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–2026 | Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genoa | AI algorithms for archaeological heritage |
| 2021–2026 | CNR – Institute of Neuroscience, Parma | Supervisor of a VR rehabilitation therapy |
| 2026 | Ossigeno Srl, Venice | PinFloi 2D video game |
| 2023–present | Paliotours, Miami | Site-specific video mapping |
| 2023 | Italian Union of the Blind, FabLab Venezia | Author and creative director of Venestesia |
| 2023 | Hahn Banach, Milan | 2D animation for an AI assistant |
| 2021–2023 | AGS S.p.A., Milan | Unity virtual assistant and 3D wayfinding |
| 2021–2023 | Café 124, Milan | Graphics and 3D modelling for a food brand |
| 2022 | Equilibero, Treviso | Multi-sport video game |
| 2021 | Avataris, Graz | Multiplayer game with VR mode |
| 2020–present | ApplIdea, Cagliari | Multiplayer sailing simulator |
| 2017–2018 | FightTheStroke, Milan | AR tele-rehabilitation platform |
| 2017 | Vertiv Group Corporation, Philippines | Augmented reality development |
| 2016–2018 | BlueCom, Venice | Batmeeting multiplayer game |
| 2012–2020 | Metide Srl, Venice | Unity 3D developer and R&D manager: Editem, Comelit home automation app |
| 2016 | Skardy (Pitura Freska) | Director of a 3D music video |
| 2015 | Grappa Studio, Paris | Simulation software for an artwork |
| 2014–2015 | Grani & Partners S.p.A., Modena | Stikeez Treasure Hunt |
| 2014 | 3A – Archeologia Arte Ambiente, Venice | Ancient Mestre in augmented reality |
| 2014 | UnaCasaA.com, Venice | Front-end and back-end web development |
| 2009–2015 | Fadosoft (independent studio) | Indie games for Android |
| 2008–2009 | Veneto Regional Council | ElectionPlay 2 |
| 2000–2010 | Independent | Over twenty commissioned websites |
| 2000 | Global Water Intelligence (Oxford), Televenezia | 3D modelling and animation |
Teaching
I have been teaching since 2000 in vocational colleges (ITS), high schools, companies and public libraries: Unity and 3D programming, virtual reality, software analysis and programming, digital innovation. I designed creative workshops such as How to mould a video game and Let's play music. Details are on the Training page.
Stage and sound
For thirty years I have also worked live. I have directed 8 theatre productions, written 16 stage scores and acted in 23 productions, and released 6 albums with Ghenga Fuoriposto and with Samsara, a progressive rock band in which I was bassist, singer and composer. I trained with, among others, Dario Fo, Franca Rame and Jacopo Fo: below is the video with Dario Fo. See Sounds and Stories.
Watch the video: Adolfo Zilli with Dario Fo – video
Education and publications
- 1999 – Degree in Computer Science (Scienze dell'Informazione), with a thesis on virtual reality as a metaphor for websites.
- A Repertoire of Virtual-Reality, Occupational Therapy Exercises for Motor Rehabilitation Based on Action Observation, Data (MDPI), vol. 7, no. 1 – mdpi.com
Skills
- AI: computer vision for material classification and analysis; AI-driven avatars and assistants with speech recognition.
- Real-time 3D and XR: Unity, C#, VR/AR, Photon multiplayer, Kinect, 3D scanning, video mapping.
- 3D graphics: 3ds Max, Nomad Sculpt, Photoshop, character animation, photorealistic rendering.
- Web and software: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Java, SQL, JSON/XML, ActionScript.
- Audio and video: composition, sound engineering, MIDI, Premiere, After Effects, Callipeg.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Meta Quest, browser.
- Languages: Italian (native), English (C1/C2).
Have a project in mind?
I work as a freelancer with companies, research institutes, museums and schools, in Italy and remotely across Europe. Drop me a line or give me a call.