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Monthly Archives: August 2026

Celebrating Design and Community: Our Partnership with AIGA San Diego Tijuana

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Two pictures of NewSchool's Pride Parade float

We love our partnership with AIGA San Diego Tijuana, a collaboration built on our shared dedication to the local design community. By joining forces, we are expanding the ways we support emerging creatives and bringing new, dynamic opportunities directly to our campus.

At the heart of this partnership is a shared commitment to student-focused programming. Together with AIGA, we are actively developing meaningful events and activities designed to showcase the incredible work of our design students. These initiatives provide a vital platform for our emerging designers to connect with industry leaders, share their unique perspectives, and elevate their craft.

One of the most exciting early milestones of this collaboration was the San Diego Pride Day Parade float. Working alongside AIGA San Diego Tijuana, we channeled our collective creativity to build an unforgettable experience that celebrated inclusion, community, and the power of design. It was an incredibly proud moment for our students and faculty to see our vibrant float representing NewSchool in front of more than 250,000 spectators along the parade route.

This shared success is just the beginning of what we can achieve together. We are deeply grateful for AIGA’s continued support and collaboration, and we look forward to launching our next joint project to further empower our vibrant, cross-border creative community.

In Memoriam: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Faculty Colleague Donald Sondys

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Dear NewSchool Community,

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved faculty colleague, Donald Sondys, on August 14, 2026. Don was a treasured member of the NewSchool of Architecture & Design community, and his loss will be deeply felt by his colleagues, students, and the broader design world.

Don dedicated over 40 years to the design profession, establishing himself as a master of digital modeling and product visualization. His extensive industry experience and visionary approach left an indelible mark on both the products he helped create, and the aspiring designers he mentored.

A Legacy of Design Excellence Before bringing his talents to the classroom, Don spent an extraordinary 29 years at Nissan Design America. During his distinguished tenure, he played a pivotal role in advanced visualization projects, most notably contributing to the innovative Infiniti HMI concept vision. His ability to seamlessly blend technical precision with forward-thinking design made him a highly respected figure in the automotive design industry.

Dedication to Education A proud 1982 graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design, Don’s passion for his craft naturally evolved into a passion for teaching. He became an active design instructor in the San Diego academic community in 2020. At NewSchool, Don taught Advanced Visualization, where he was known not just for his unparalleled technical expertise, but for his patience, kindness, and genuine investment in student success. He translated his decades of high-level industry experience into accessible, inspiring lessons that prepared our students for the realities of the professional design world.

Don’s presence in our studios and his commitment to our students’ growth embodied the very best of our institution’s values. He will be remembered for his warmth, his generous spirit, and the lasting impact he made on the next generation of designers.

Our deepest condolences go out to Don’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him and learning from him.

(Please note: We will share further information regarding memorial services or arrangements as it becomes available and in accordance with the family’s wishes. If you or your students need support during this difficult time, please reach out to campus counseling resources.)

Jose Garcia

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José Francisco García (“Pancho”) is an architectural designer, builder, and educator whose work bridges design, construction, and community engagement across the San Diego–Tijuana region. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at NewSchool of Architecture & Design, where he mentors future architects through design studios that emphasize creativity, craftsmanship, and the transformative power of the built environment.  

A native of Tijuana, Baja California, García studied architecture at Southwestern College and earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury University, receiving the WSD Thesis Award. He is currently pursuing a Master of Construction Management.

In 2012, García co-founded Prismática Architects, a bi-national architecture and design practice recognized for innovative work exploring the intersection of design, culture, and craft. The firm has received notable honors, including the AIA San Diego Merit Award for Edie’s Tire Shop (2023) and the AIA San Diego ADU Honor Award for Chula Vista Garage (2019). Prismática’s work has been featured in publications such as ArchDaily, Designboom, Habitat, and Código.

Before founding Prismática, García collaborated on projects with Research Facilities Design, Foster + Partners, Dodd & Associates, and Estudio Teddy Cruz. A licensed California contractor since 2021, he integrates design and construction to deliver impactful, community-centered projects. Outside of architecture, he enjoys spending time with his family and  music played by his twins.

Dario Miticocchio to Speak at the 2026 IDC & Education Symposium

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Headshot of Dario

NewSchool of Architecture & Design is thrilled to announce that our esteemed faculty member, Dario Miticocchio, will be a featured speaker at the 2026 IDC & Education Symposium. Hosted by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), this premier event will take place in Pasadena, CA, from August 18th to August 21st, 2026.  

Rethinking the Social Impact of Design

Dario will lead a provocative and timely discussion during the Professional and Education Symposium, challenging the current trajectory of the design industry. His session will dive deep into the following theme:

As Design grows and stretches to encompass more and more activities and disciplines, the social impact of Design becomes more and more confused, and often overlooked. The world needs another wave of Radical Design; the current idea of good design being ‘invisible’ is sneaky and dangerous.

During his presentation, Dario will explore how iconic designs of the past fueled lively cultural discourse—often by being polarizing or provocative. In contrast, today’s design discipline frequently pushes towards flatness and compliance, leading to social results that are not always positive. When designers rely on a “don’t make me think” mentality, automatisms win, causing awareness and mindfulness to decline. Dario will challenge attendees to rethink this approach and ask whether it is time to correct the course and bring radical mindfulness back to the forefront.

About Dario Miticocchio

Originally trained as an architect, Dario refers to himself as a “Design Nomad,” continuously exploring new facets of the discipline. With a vibrant career that includes collaborating with masters like Makio Hasuike and Stefano Giovannoni, Dario brings decades of expertise in delivering iconic and award-winning designs across architecture, products, and user experiences. At NewSchool, his restless curiosity helps foster a stimulating academic environment as he continues to shape our cutting-edge design programs.  

Join the Conversation in Pasadena

We encourage all our students, alumni, and design enthusiasts to attend the 2026 IDC & Education Symposium to support Dario and engage in these vital conversations shaping the future of our field.

For more information about the symposium, the full agenda, and registration details, please visit the official IDC website.

Watch Dario’s Past Presentation on Innovation and Design

This panel video showcases Dario’s extensive background and design philosophy, offering excellent background context before you attend his upcoming session.

Innovation by Design: Panel Presentation by Dario Miticocchio

NewSchool of Architecture & Design · 181 views

Open in Innovation by Design: Panel Presentation by Dario Miticocchio

Daniela Camacho

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I was born and raised in San Diego, growing up in a big family where family gatherings were always a big part of my life. I have three sisters and I’m the middle child, so I was always surrounded by family. I was also lucky enough to grow up near the beach, which is something I’m very grateful for. San Diego has always felt like home to me.

After high school, I had the privilege of experiencing what it was like to live on my own in San Francisco. After that experience, I came back to San Diego and started my architecture school journey.

My interest in architecture actually started when I was younger. Growing up, I had the opportunity to go on missionary trips to Baja California. During one of those trips, I saw how nonprofit organizations were helping families build homes using recycled glass bottles. That really caught my attention. I remember thinking about how something as simple as recycled materials and pieces of the earth could be used to create a home for a family. It made me realize that architecture could be more than just designing a building. It could actually help people.

I continued my architecture education at San Diego Mesa College, where I started with hand drawing and free sketching. One of my favorite parts was being able to start with an idea in my head and slowly turn it into a building through sketches and plans. I enjoyed thinking about how a building would work from the inside and outside, what materials could be used, and even how the colors would come together. I think it’s amazing that architecture students can create something functional just by putting their ideas on paper and imagining what is possible.

Architecture can also be very competitive. Sometimes, the person you are competing with the most is yourself. I always wanted to push myself to do better and learn more, which is one of the reasons I chose to continue my education at NewSchool of Architecture & Design.

Coming to NewSchool as a transfer student was honestly scary. I didn’t know what to expect, and I was worried that I was already behind, especially because I was learning new software like Rhino and experiencing things like 3D printing for the first time. But I also realized that everyone was starting something new in their own way. We didn’t always know where to start, and that was okay.

I met some amazing classmates who came from different backgrounds and had different experiences. We were all willing to help each other, and somehow we ended up spending almost every day together, going through the same exhaustion, stress, and excitement. There was definitely a little bit of competition between us, but we also pushed each other to keep going. Having that support from my classmates made me feel more comfortable and helped me continue growing, not only as an architecture student but also as a person.

Because of that experience, I wanted to become more involved in the school. I applied for work-study and started working with the Outreach Department. I’ve had the opportunity to meet an amazing staff, including some of the same people who helped me find my way to NewSchool in the first place.

Now, I want to be able to do that for someone else.

I know what it feels like to be scared of taking on a new challenge or wondering if you’re ready for the next step. But sometimes, choosing the experience even when you’re scared is what helps you grow. My journey to NewSchool has taught me that it’s okay not to know everything, as long as you’re willing to learn, try new things, and keep moving forward.

Tommy Hernandez

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From an unexpected introduction to NewSchool to becoming a licensed architect, educator, and design professional, Tommy Hernandez (B.Arch, 2020) has built a career rooted in mentorship, lifelong learning, and service to the architectural community.

Tommy’s journey to NewSchool began by chance while delivering a catering order to a campus open house. Inspired by the architectural models and student work on display, he knew he had found the place where he would pursue his childhood dream of becoming an architect.

After graduating as Valedictorian from NewSchool of Architecture & Design with a Bachelor of Architecture and minors in Construction Management and Neuroscience for Architecture, Tommy immediately joined the faculty, teaching Environmental Systems I & II while launching his career with De Bartolo & Rimanic Design Studies (DBRDS). At DBRDS, Tommy has contributed to multifamily residential, hospitality, mixed-use, and religious projects as a Design Coordinator.

As he balanced teaching with professional practice, Tommy gained valuable field experience while preparing for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Architectural Registration Examinations (ARE). This combination allowed him to bring current industry practices and real-world project experience directly into the classroom, helping prepare students not only for academic success but also for practice and licensure.

Reflecting on his time at NewSchool, Tommy credits mentors Alan Rosenblum and Daniela Deutsch with shaping his approach to design through curiosity, critical thinking, and purposeful problem-solving. He also credits his involvement with NewSchool’s American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) chapter with helping shape his professional network and leadership skills. During his tenure as AIAS Chapter President, he received both the Chapter Honor Award and the Chapter President Honor Award in 2019, while forging lasting connections that continue to shape his career.

Outside of practice and teaching, Tommy has remained active in the profession through leadership roles with the Balboa Park Committee of 100, the NewSchool Foundation, and the San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF), where he served as Membership Committee Chair and co-chair of the Orchids & Onions program. He currently serves as Faculty Advisor for NewSchool’s AIAS chapter, continuing his commitment to mentoring future architects.

Beyond architecture, Tommy also enjoys graphic design and currently creates designs for ThaRiches, a Los Angeles-based clothing designer whose line was featured during Bad Bunny’s 2026 halftime performance.

Tommy became a licensed architect in the State of California in July 2026, achieving a goal he had pursued since childhood.

Looking back on his own journey, Tommy offers this advice to current students:

“Architecture school is not just about learning how to design buildings—it’s about learning how to observe, think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems.”

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