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Chad Skelton

Chad Skelton

Hometown: Temecula, California

Why did you choose to study product design?

I’ve always been fascinated with the ability to create things out of thin air. When I found out that I could have a career literally drawing each day and making cool things, I knew this was the field for me.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

More than anything, the relationships and connections to professionals that I received through my program have helped me get to where I am today.

What was your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

I enjoyed the willingness of all faculty to work side by side with us to help accomplish our goals. It’s also not too bad living and going to school in Downtown San Diego!

What have you been doing since you graduated?

Since I graduated, I’ve been working at SC Design Co. in Carlsbad, CA as a full-time Industrial and Graphic Designer. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to design really neat and innovative products for all types of industries. I feel like I don’t actually work, I just have fun every day doing what I love.

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on everything from Golf Clubs to Medical Devices to Consumer electronics to Action Sports equipment. I’m always learning about new industries because of the wide range of clients we design for.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Besides designing a bunch of cool products that are almost ready for launch, I think the thing that sticks out most about my career so far is having students and others come to me for advice in design. I didn’t think that I would be the one teaching and helping others this soon in my career, but it’s a really cool feeling to know there are people who want to learn and connect with me over design.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Meet anyone and everyone. Be friendly and willing to learn from others. You never know when a past relationship will turn into a business opportunity. Be ambitious while you’re in school because that is the best possible time to shoot for the stars and learn from your mistakes if you come up a little short.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

NewSchool provides incredible opportunities to meet professionals in the field. Talent can only get someone so far and I would not be where I am today if I didn’t make connections throughout my NewSchool experience.

 

 

Chad’s Favorite Class Project

Diverge Electric Sportfishing | Undergraduate Product Design Senior Thesis Project

Description: After learning about the devastating oil pollution in our oceans from recreational saltwater boats, I decided to tackle designing a fully electric Sportfishing boat. This vessel was designed to provide efficient, clean transportation for sport fishermen, while embodying a contemporary and streamlined design language, giving offshore enthusiasts a pragmatic and enjoyable experience.

Amanda Schilling

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, 2016
What was your favorite aspect of attending NewSchool? What was your favorite memory?

I enjoyed the smaller classrooms and the relationships we could build with the instructors. It made the learning process better and more personal. My fondest memories were when the construction management students would work on their homework and projects together up in the construction management loft.

Did you have any notable accomplishments while attending NewSchool?

I was part of the winning 2016 ASC Reno Design-Build team for NewSchool.

What are you doing now?

I am a Field Engineer with Hensel Phelps.

What projects are you currently working on?

I am currently building student housing at UCSD. We are building 9 high rise residential buildings.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

I am learning a lot about building and planning and am enjoying every minute of it!

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

I would advise anyone starting out (man or woman) to be humble and stay focused. There is a lot to learn and school teaches you about 10% of what you need to know out in the field. Ask a lot of questions, work hard, do the research, and be open and willing to learn. And this is advice that people can take going into any field of work. You will know some stuff but there is SO much more to learn once you are actually living and breathing it.

Alexandre Vorilhon

Hometown: Simsbury, Connecticut

Why did you choose to study product design?

I often see the faults, and therefore, opportunities in the world we have built around us. Product Design allows me to impact the world in a very wide variety of experiences.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

The experience for me was marked by close collaboration with a small group of tightly knit peers and a very experienced and invested group of mentors.

What was your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

Having a place dedicated to design work made it like a switch. As soon as you step foot in the door, it’s creative energy and collaboration everywhere.

What have you been doing since you graduated?

A handful of freelance and volunteer design projects. Working towards a digital exhibition for the San Diego Design Week 2020 has been especially rewarding. It has opened my eyes to the rich design community we have in San Diego.

What projects are you currently working on?

Stories from our Region A digital exhibition of San Diego’s design community and how they have used Human-Centered Design thinking to ask the right questions and find the right solutions.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

YouTube is an amazing free resource.

Marcelo Kertesz

Hometown: Encinitas, California

Why did you choose to study product design?

Expand knowledge on adjacent areas.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

All the studio experience that we get.

What was your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

The studio experience and Dario Miticocchio.

What have you been doing since you graduated?

Worked a lot — in companies and with my own initiatives.

What projects are you currently working on?

Manscaped, Monday Gin, The Astronauts Co., Sym Coffee, Mesteeso and a few other brands.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

As a strategist and creative, getting 6 presidents elected, in 5 different countries.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Work, work, work!

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

For the studio time and real-life design projects.

 

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