Blog Archives

Hometown: Bay Area, California

Why did you choose to study interior architecture & design?

Art, drawing, and creativity interested me at a young age. In my pre-teens, I would attempt to recreate Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” and “The Last Supper.” I was fascinated with its hidden geometry. This fascination also led me to drawing figures and scenes from Greek and Roman mythology. I would hand draw the “Parthenon, Temple the Athena.” As I drew more buildings, I became interested in how the Greeks and Romans designed their architecture. I was intrigued with how the people used these spaces in those times. My fascination then led me to Frank Lloyd Wright’s design of “Fallingwater” in Pennsylvania. The concrete limestone-concrete home entwined with the waterfall made the piece marriage of nature and Wright’s vision and philosophy. Frank Lloyd Wright’s interiors were also linear and made use of the interior space and natural materials available in the area. Fast forward to current my current inspiration, the late Dame Zaha Hadid. Her fluid and curvature style, which also incorporates functional abstract interior spaces in her designs. She is one of many designers that inspire me to push my own creativity in Architectural Interior Design.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

I was searching for a personalized educational experience and the small classroom size encouraged comradery with the studio-style learning at NewSchool. I sought a learning experience tailored by professionals with a multitude of practice. I found the curriculum challenging and it also challenges me to design, “Outside the box.”

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

The Studio classes that invoke my creativity.

What are your career goals after you graduate?

My career goals after I graduate are to practice what I have learned in an architecture company and then use my experience to open a business of my own. I also plan to obtain my architecture license.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Something that people would be surprised to learn about me is that I have complete a 20-year career in training and management.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Know what you want. Believe in yourself. Focus and go for it. Keep like-minded people in your circle. Work!

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

If you are searching for a personalized educational experience and with small class sizes that encourages comradery with the studio-style learning, NewSchool has all these features plus a learning experience tailored by professionals with a multitude of practice.

Stephen’s Favorite Class Project

Cheeky Bastard Ales | First Year Interior Architecture & Design Project

Instructor: Dario Miticocchio

Click here to check it out!

Hometown: Marin County, California

Why did you choose to study interior architecture & design?

I chose to study Interior Architecture and Design because I wanted to make an influence on people’s everyday lives. Since I was a child I have always been interested in architecture and interior design. I want to create spaces that influence the way people feel and create an experience for each person in that space.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

I think that earning a bachelor’s degree from NewSchool will be a wonderful accomplishment. Not only do you learn from amazing faculty and staff but you gain so many experiences and connections from NewSchool itself.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

My favorite thing about NewSchool is the environment and sense of community that we have here. There is always help when you need it from faculty, staff, and fellow students.

What are your career goals after you graduate?

My career goals after I graduate are to move to Washington or the East Coast and join an interior design firm. I would also like to eventually start my own interior design business or firm.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Most people are surprised when they learn that I was born in Japan. Many people are also surprised when I tell them I’ve wanted to be in the interior architecture and design field since I was 12.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

My best piece of advice for incoming students is that they should remember to take breaks, go out and do enjoyable things with their friends, and get involved with student life. There are so many fun and exciting things for students to do inside and outside of campus that can also inspire creativity around them.

Sequoiah’s Favorite Class Project

White Hart Winery | Second Year Interior Architecture & Design

Instructor: Denise Homme

The winery project was a project that ID 202 Interior Architecture and Design Studio worked on in Winter 2020. The project goal was to create a comfortable winery space for both customers and workers that fit in the desired constraints that the client gave to the designers. The White Hart Winery is located just outside of Dublin, Ireland its design infuses a traditional Irish pub house design with that of the wine grape. The winery has Irish stone tile on the floor, traditional wood furniture, as well as a green, black and white color scheme. Around the space, you can see Irish accents in the bar, wine tasting room, small shop, and in the shared bathroom. The White Hart Winey is a wonderful space to sit down with friends and family while drinking wine in traditional Irish culture.

Hometown: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Why did you choose to study interior architecture & design?
I chose interior architecture & design to design spaces that make dreams come true. I focus on enhancing people’s well-being and increase their productivity in an interior space. As I progressed in NewSchool, I got to know more about sustainability. Therefore, I decided to enhance people’s knowledge on the matter by implementing sustainability into my interior designs.
What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

Earning an interior architecture & design degree in NewSchool made me openminded to critiques from others, which improved my designs and knowledge.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?
My favorite thing about NewSchool is the community. It is friendly. NewSchool instructors worked hard to inspire and develop my designs to the next level.
What are your career goals after you graduate?

My career goals are to work in an architectural firm, and hopefully, one day, I will open my interior architecture firm.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Most people do not expect that I cook, but I love to cook and try new recipes. I love to spend some time with nature.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

My advice for incoming students is do not stop in your first bump, keep going, and work hard for sure you will vision your accomplishments.  You are also building your knowledge and experience. Therefore, you need to believe in yourself much more than following opinions or suggestions from inexperienced individuals.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?
NewSchool instructors will inspire their students and get the best out of them.  NewSchool has an exciting campus life and environment that makes its students feel connected and productive.

Hometown: Orange County, California

Why did you choose to study interior architecture & design?

I chose this area of study because of the creativity, uniqueness, and diversity of the degree. This area of study allows me to explore so many different concepts in the field of architecture. Interior architecture is allowing me to express my creativity and technical skills in a different way than architecture and interior design.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

NewSchool gives students every possibility to succeed. The small community of NewSchool is tailored to every student’s exact design needs and allows for a very hands-on and educational learning experience.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

NewSchool is full of amazing students, professors, and staff. Everyone at NewSchool gives 100% to make sure your success is a top priority. NewSchools location in the heart of downtown San Diego has also been one of my favorite things about attending the school.

What are your career goals after you graduate?

After graduation, I plan on doing more international traveling and working in a commercial architecture firm to design interiors for restaurants and hospitality. I want to keep all possibilities open and continue my education.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

People would be surprised to learn that before interior architecture I wanted to study archaeology! I also love to cook and plan on helping develop menus for the restaurants I design.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

I think every student coming to NewSchool should keep an open mind and accept all the help they can get. Also take a minor! I was able to receive a Construction management minor and it has expanded my job possibility and education.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

NewSchool helps students in every way possible to succeed. My education thus far has been the best I’ve received. NewSchool also gives students very practical and real-world assignments to apply to their portfolios.

McKenna’s Favorite Class Project
The Wisteria | Third Year Interior Architecture & Design Project
Instructors: Denise Homme, Amin Espandiari

Hometown: Santa Rosa, California

Why did you choose to study interior architecture & design?

As a handyman, I have worked in remodeling homes for years. Designing interiors was simply the next step for me.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

The environment, the staff, & my classmates.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

How involved my professors are in my success as a student.

What are your career goals after you graduate?

I would very much like to work for a firm that specializes in restaurant design.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I can ride a unicycle!

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Stay focused on time management; the work progresses rapidly.

JD’s Favorite Class Project

Project Title: Ajax Team Store

3rd Year Interior Project

Instructor: Dario Miticocchio

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Why did you choose to study interior architecture & design?

What initially drew me to this field was the ability to use creative design thinking and work in a very hands-on tangible way. Now, I love interiors because of its engaging ability to create an interactive and memorable space that shapes the human experience.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

NewSchool is so unique from the other schools I have been to because its size allows for much more interaction and connection with faculty and students. I love how diverse NewSchool is not only culturally, but also in people’s backgrounds and experiences where everyone has something interesting to bring to the table. The interaction between other disciplines has also given me such a broader perspective and been the most rewarding part of being at NewSchool.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

My favorite thing about being at Newschool has to be the incredible people I’ve met here, the creative, close-knit environment it cultivates, and Studio late nights always.

What are your career goals after you graduate?

I always like to keep an open mind and be open to new experiences and opportunities to grow, learn, and become a better designer. I hope to create meaningful, innovative, and community-oriented designs that shape the human experience.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

People would be surprised to learn that I have lived in 3 different countries outside of the U.S, and I hope to continue traveling!

What advice do you have for incoming students?

My advice would be to be open-minded, take classes outside of your discipline, use the library, and embrace changes and challenges.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

The connections, the urban environment, and the student culture.

Gabriela’s Favorite Class Project
Title: Rewild Mission Bay
Description: A flexible, connective, and communal space, the Wetlands Education and Research Center inspires a place of learning, creating, and connecting with the natural environment of San Diego.
3rd Year Interior Architecture & Design Project
Instructor: Denise Homme