Author Archives: Maia Wakefield

March at NewSchool carried a kind of energy you could feel the moment you stepped onto campus. Studios were full, conversations spilled into hallways, and every event brought people together in ways that felt both meaningful and memorable. It was a month that reflected what NewSchool does best—bringing creativity and community into the same space.

A highlight of the month was our annual Career Fair, where students connected with professionals from across the architecture, design, and construction industries. What stood out most was seeing our alumni come full circle, representing firms and engaging with students who are just beginning to imagine their own paths.

This year, we welcomed a dynamic group of firms including Gensler, HKS Architects, Inc., Stantec, DLR Group, Carrier Johnson + Culture, CO Architects and LPA Design Studios along with organizations like AIA San Diego and the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. Each conversation, introduction, and shared moment helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.

We were proud to host more than 40 firms in total, reflecting the strength and reach of the NewSchool network. View the full list of participating firms here.

March also marked our first Open House of 2026, where families, friends, prospective students, and incoming Fall 2026 students spent time experiencing campus life. There was a natural curiosity in the air as visitors explored studio spaces, met faculty, and connected with current students. It was less about presentation and more about presence—getting a real sense of what it feels like to be here.

That sense of community was made even stronger thanks to our partners at YogaSix Point Loma, Aztec Graphics, and Sandwich Stop Deli. Their support helped create an environment that felt welcoming and connected beyond campus itself.

We also had the pleasure of hosting students from Patrick Henry High School and the Fresno City College Architecture Club. They spent time with our faculty, learned about our programs, and experienced the rhythm of a typical day in our studios. It gave them a chance to picture themselves here, not someday in theory, but in a way that felt real and immediate.

What made March special was not just the number of events, but the feeling behind them. There was openness, curiosity, and a genuine sense that people wanted to be here and be part of something. That is what continues to shape the NewSchool experience.

If you were not able to join us on campus, there are still ways to stay connected. You can follow us on Eventbrite for updates on virtual information sessions or reach out to connect with our program chairs. We look forward to welcoming you into the NewSchool community soon!

To kick off Women’s History Month at NSAD, attention turns to the work of Tiziana d’Agostino, Assistant Professor of the Graphic Design & Interactive Media program. Her article explores how design shapes not just products but behavior, perception, and choice. It’s a reminder that beauty in design carries influence and responsibility.

The piece observes a world filled with irresistible products that often encourage over-consumption. Many use psychology to spark desire and guide behavior, creating cycles that benefit companies but pressure consumers and the planet.

Yet seductive design also has the potential to do good. When applied thoughtfully, it can make products accessible, sustainable, and meaningful. Examples like the LifeStraw water filtration bottle, Grove Collaboratives, eco-friendly products, and the Elli Q AI assistant demonstrate how beautiful, intentional design can solve problems, improve lives, and still delight the senses.

The article is a timely reflection on the impact of design and the role of women shaping a more responsible and inclusive creative industry. It shows that design can inspire, guide, and change behavior when paired with care and intention.

Read the full article by Tiziana D’Agostino here.

Reference: Heart and Mind UX. https://heartandmindux.medium.com/

Behind every building, space, and design is a human story. In San Diego, Black designers have shaped the city through creativity, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. Their contributions span architecture, interior design, fashion, and visual storytelling, creating spaces that reflect culture, identity, and belonging.

At NewSchool, we believe human-centered design begins with empathy, representation, and intention. In our studios and classrooms, students are encouraged to design from lived experience, cultural identity, and social impact. By honoring the legacy of Black creatives in San Diego, we reaffirm our commitment to inclusive creativity and to preparing designers who shape not just spaces, but opportunity.

References

Roderick N. Shade – Biography and notable works. Architectural Digest. Retrieved from https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/shade-article-102005

San Diego Black Arts and Culture District – City of San Diego. Retrieved from https://www.sandiego.gov/arts-culture/black-arts-district

Blacks in San Diego: Historical Perspectives – San Diego Historical Society, The Journal of San Diego History, 27(2). Retrieved from https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1981/april/blacks

NSAD Diversity and Human-Centered Design Initiatives – NewSchool of Architecture & Design. Retrieved from NewSchool Core Values

Design with Impact and Purpose

At the intersection of community, culture, and the built environment, Goyo Ortiz-Muñoz’s work asks a fundamental question: how can cities be designed to serve the people who shape them? His teaching and practice are rooted in community-driven design and collaborative urbanism, emphasizing thoughtful, equitable, and sustainable approaches to the complexities of contemporary cities.

With extensive professional experience spanning independent practice and leading architectural firms, Goyo specializes in urban design at the convergence of policy, place, and people. Most recently, he served as Community Development Choreographer at Casa Familiar, a community-based organization in San Ysidro along the U.S.–Mexico border. There, he worked closely with local governments and community stakeholders to advance affordable housing initiatives, environmental strategies, cultural spaces, and public infrastructure projects grounded in community priorities.

A self-described border citizen, Goyo was born in Tijuana and raised between Los Angeles and San Diego. This transborder perspective informs his scholarship and design work, which focuses on the broader LA–SD–TJ region and examines themes of temporality, transformation, and adaptation within the built environment. His professional portfolio includes architectural design and development projects across California and the Northeastern United States.

In addition to his professional practice, Goyo has taught as an adjunct professor at several universities throughout the San Diego–Tijuana region and currently serves on the boards of multiple community organizations dedicated to art, culture, and affordable housing advocacy. Together, these experiences shape the depth, rigor, and real-world relevance he brings into the classroom and design studio—offering students not only technical knowledge, but a passionate, place-based understanding of how design can operate as a catalyst for social impact.

Goyo Ortiz-Muñoz
Associate Professor | Assistant Director, Architecture Programs

Education
M.U.P., UCLA | B.Arch, Woodbury University

Where Curiosity Meets Innovation, and Strategy

Design shapes the world around you—everything from the bus stops you wait at to the apps on your phone. Do you have the curiosity, passion, and drive to explore the ‘why’ behind everything? Then you are a designer.

When Challenge Leads to Impact

Design is more than making things look good. Your work will be about solving real problems—improving a product, creating an app, or designing a space that feels alive.

Design is a team sport. You’ll collaborate constantly, learning to understand perspectives beyond your own. You’ll thrive when you’re willing to challenge assumptions, take risks, and grow fast. Every decision you make matters, and the challenges you face in learning and creating are exactly what give your work impact.

Curiosity as Your Compass

Curiosity is your guide. You’ll explore in all directions—collecting information, analyzing trends, and discovering new ways to approach challenges. Curiosity turns into dedication when you commit to learning deeply, experimenting fearlessly, and refining your instincts.

Every day is a chance to discover something new. This field is constantly evolving, and if you embrace change, you’ll develop a mindset that lets you pivot across multiple avenues whether that’s product design, interactive media, or graphic design. You’ll never get bored because every day brings something unexpected to learn.

Innovation Drives Possibility

Curiosity helps you explore, but innovation is what turns your ideas into something new and meaningful. In design, you’ll learn to look at problems from fresh perspectives, combine different insights, and push beyond what’s expected. Innovation isn’t just about creating the next big thing, it’s about improving experiences, rethinking everyday objects, and finding solutions that truly make a difference. The more you experiment and embrace bold ideas, the more impact you can have as a designer.

Strategy Shapes Your Path

Curiosity drives exploration, but strategy gives your work direction. Thinking of yourself as a business—defining who you are, what you offer, and how you present yourself, helps you turn ideas into impact. Even small exercises, like reflecting on your personal goals or your professional statements, give clarity and purpose to your design journey.

Strategy isn’t about limiting creativity; it’s about giving it focus. When you approach challenges strategically, your work doesn’t just solve problems—it tells a story, builds your identity, and positions you to make an impact in the world.

Are You Ready?

If you love asking questions, exploring possibilities, and creating solutions that matter, this path could be for you. You’ll need curiosity, innovation, and strategic thinking to succeed, but in return, you’ll gain the ability to shape the world around you.

Ready to explore your ideas and connect with a community of designers who are shaping the future? Get inspired and join the conversation with the Design community at NewSchool here.