Blog Archives

Hometown: Blumenau, SC, Brazil

Why did you choose to study product design?
I have always admired well-crafted, thoughtfully inspired products. I want to eventually design my own lines of furniture, outdoor equipment, and pet products.
What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

The NewSchool community and learning environment. The peers and professors that I learn with.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?
Meeting so many talented, creative, and inspiring individuals from around the world. The exposure to different cultures and different thinking is extremely rewarding as an aspiring designer.
What are your career goals after you graduate?

I’d like to work from home and run my own line of products.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I was previously studying law in Brazil before deciding to pursue a degree in Product Design.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Take the time to get to know your professors and classmates. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stay after class if needed. Go out of your comfort zone.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?
It’s a small university and your professors know who you are. They are invested in you and care about seeing you succeed.

Hometown: Casablanca, Morocco

Why did you choose to study product design?

The beauty of design is the compilation of emotion, creativity, and reflection all into a product in order for one to appreciate it. This form of process and thus the product appreciation is what makes me want to wake up in the morning and design to make the world a better place.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

NewSchool has an exceptional team of teachers. The whole design department makes you feel at home. Each teacher is here to support your ideas. This kind of close support is what makes NewSchool special.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

My favorite thing about attending NewSchool is the fact that it is a small school and therefore I feel like I get closer to the faculty and students.

What are your career goals after you graduate?

Being a product designer is being a problem solver. My goal is to create an impact on people’s lives through design. I own shares in a family business that I am intending to expand and scale-up in the near future.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

People would be surprised that I wanted to go to school for engineering since the age of 10 due to my strengths in physics and math.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

I recommend students to be curious and ask many questions to their teachers, yourself and or your peers. This will enable you to see things from different perspectives and be knowledgable.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

The fact that NewSchool’s faculty, students, and staff feel like family makes the learning experience much more pleasant and fruitful. NewSchool people want you to succeed.

Hamza’s Favorite Class Project
Project Title: Ortus
Description: The true ingenuity of the Ortus coffee brewer conjures a unique experience with a collection of coffee instruments that work in harmony to brew the perfect coffee.
A coffee set. A new brewing method. A new taste.
2nd Year Product Design Project
Instructor: John Bandringa

Hometown: San Luis Río Colorado, México

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I believe that international women’s day is a day to celebrate, empower, and raise the visibility of women’s achievements throughout history and the present. It’s a day to discuss where we’ve been and where we want to go.

What woman inspires you and why?

All of the women I know in my day-to-day life positively inspire me in many different aspects, especially my mother, my greatest role model. A person that I also look up to related to the design field is Neri Oxman because she is innovating design through the power of science.

Why did you choose to study design?

I’ve always enjoyed listening to people’s stories. Product design is a profession that allows me to be a listener but also a problem solver. Learning about the relationship and interaction between humans and a product, looking for answers, and resolving the users’ needs allows me to experience and realize so much more in life. To me, Product design is a truly fulfilling career and the reason I chose it.

Why should women and girls pursue an education in the architecture, design, or construction management industry? Why is it important to encourage women and girls?

I believe it is essential to encourage young girls to pursue an education in design. More importantly, motivating more women to pursue leadership positions in design is something I think to be necessary. It would allow the younger generations to seize better and equal opportunities in the industry. Encouraging and empowering younger girls will lead to a bright future full of brilliant and inspiring female leaders.

What’s something interesting you’re currently working on? Personal or academic.

I’m currently working on a fun and thought-provoking design project addressing the Pink Tax. I’m also collaborating with a design Lab located in Shanghai, China, tackling the topic of affective and emotional design.

What do you think is the biggest issue today facing women of your age?

I think women of my age today face so many challenges. The issues are extensive in every aspect of their lives. Whether it be to do with access to education, health rights, employment opportunities, gender equality, the list is endless. I believe no issue is smaller than the other.

What has you most excited about the future?

I’m excited to see how society, technology, and science will evolve to address the pending issues we are witnessing today.

On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their education?

My message to young women is to never give up on their education. Education is a tool that gives confidence, character and opens possibilities for a better future.

Hometown: San Diego, California

Why did you choose to study product design?
As our world is changing, our problems are also changing. This is the time for more innovative ideas to be created. Being able to solve people’s problems effectively and efficiently gives me personal satisfaction. My favorite part about finding a solution is being able to add my own creativity and design to it. Being part of the change, part of the solution is why I chose product design. To be able to control the future of design, making more sustainable products and products that last longer is very important. Creating a product or a system that can leave our people, our society, and our environment better than it once was is my goal as a designer.
What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

The opportunity to work with and be taught by skilled and talented professors, who are also currently working in Product Design. As a student, I not only learn the study plan but am able to take away more life lessons in class. Hearing about real-life scenarios in the workplace and learning their experiences and mistakes helped me grow as a student and a designer.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?
It’s so inspiring to work with so many talented people from all over the world! I love being in a small community filled with people who work as hard as you and are able to bounce ideas off of each other. It can be competitive at times, but it’s encouraging to know that you are always working hard and doing your best in your projects.
What are your career goals after you graduate?

My main goal after graduating is working in an environment knowing I’m able to make an impact with my work. I want to be able to do better with my designs for people and the environment. Knowing I’m able to make a better change and a difference will leave me feeling happy.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am a really big foodie. I love experimenting with food, whether I’m doing the cooking or eating out. I love trying exotic foods and trying traditional foods from different cultures.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

To work hard and put more hours into your projects from day one. But most of all to be passionate in whatever project you choose to take on. If you’re ever stuck on something keep pushing yourself towards the thing that challenges you more. Your end results will be more rewarding and you’ll discover something new about yourself.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?
Working in a small environment has its perks and connections. You are able to work with professionals, many who may already be working in your desired field. NewSchool has a diverse community in their faculty and students. You have the opportunity to learn things from other designers that can increase your creativity.

Aseel’s Favorite Class Projects

Click here to check them out!

Hometown: Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Why did you choose to study product design?
I love the idea that I can create everything and anything but most importantly that I can express my style in any design I make. I have always drawn to home goods ever since I was little.
What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

Earning a bachelor’s degree at NewSchool will be really special because I know I will have the right experience and knowledge to become a successful designer. Also, our teachers are a great example to follow.

What has been your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?
The projects I have made and how much I learned in technique.
What are your career goals after you graduate?

After I graduate I will do a master’s or go directly to work for a company for about a year and finally having my own company of high-quality home goods.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

How persistent I can be.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

It’s okay not to know everything just be open to learn and always be curious.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

At NewSchool, we have a great community that will encourage you and who will support you always.

Andrea’s Favorite Class Project

Long Weekend | 1st Year Product Design Project
Instructor: Dario Miticocchio

We had to design a drink brand for our final project. It’s a golden milk latte that’s good for you but not only that, it’s a fun and happy brand.

Click here to check it out!