On November 13th, 2025, Partner Jonathan Lin spoke at 2025 AICAD Symposium – Engaging Values, a conference dedicated to advancing teaching and learning in art and design.

The conference was held at Pratt Institute's Design Center, where Jonathan spoke about his journey as a student at Pratt Institute, to starting New Studio Partners and his values as a designer.

Description from this talk, From Student to Studio: Design as Performance

In an era of rapid technological change and uncertainty, what values should guide designers as they move from education into professional practice? And how can design move beyond surface aesthetics to become a powerful tool for clarity, purpose, and meaningful impact?

This presentation reframes design as performance—not in the theatrical sense, but in its fundamental ability to function, deliver value, and drive transformative outcomes. Through my journey from student at Pratt Institute to co-founder of New Studio, I’ll share how values like clarity, utility, and longevity shaped my approach to design as a tool for transformation. Rather than simply reacting to aesthetic trends, this values-driven approach aligns intention with impact, and empowers organizations to define their own futures.

Drawing from real-world branding projects—including a public library rebrand, a Web3 startup, and a robotics-based dental practice—I'll illustrate how thoughtful design can bridge competing value systems: tradition with technology, innovation with ethics, expertise with accessibility. I’ll also reflect on how mentorship, collaboration, and design education helped me develop a mindset where design is not just visual, but strategic.

For students and emerging designers, this talk offers a perspective on building a practice rooted in values—not just aesthetics. It’s a case for design as a tool to clarify purpose, spark change, and perform where it matters most.