Via Collective

The Gap Between Our Concepts and Our Senses

James Tupling — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:15:44 +0000

A recent SEGD Sound Design and the Built Environment event highlighted a disconnect that is less often discussed: the gap between the design concepts presented and the sensory reality people eventually experience. Hosted at Antfood in Brooklyn, the event brought together sound and built-environment professionals including Emilie Baltz, James Cathcart, Léonard Roussel, and Steve Keller.

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Building Accessibility through Experience: Inside SEGD’s First Accessible Design Bootcamp

Jess Schrader — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:59:36 +0000

April marked a major milestone for the design community as the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) Accessible Design Task Force launched its first certificate-based Professional Development Bootcamp at the 2026 ISA International Sign Expo in Orlando, Florida. Focused on accessible design and evolving building code requirements, the program set out to move beyond theory and immerse…

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NJTransAction Conference: Rethinking How We Build and Connect

Katie Osborn — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:35:16 +0000

This year’s NJTransAction Conference brought together leaders across transportation, infrastructure, and design to discuss some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. Across sessions, three themes stood out: the rapid rise of AI in construction, the deep coordination required for the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the ongoing effort to deliver major infrastructure in dense…

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AI and Design: Expanding Capacity, Not Replacing It

James Tupling — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:41:52 +0000

AI and Design: Expanding Capacity, Not Replacing It In the age of AI, conversations about its impact on design often swing between extremes. A common narrative suggests that AI will replace designers entirely, reducing creative work to a prompt. It’s a compelling idea, but it overlooks something fundamental. Design is not just output– it is judgment, empathy, and interpretation.

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Wayfinding: More Than Just Signage

Katie Osborn — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:15:19 +0000

Wayfinding is often reduced to signs and symbols—but it’s far more than that. In Wayfinding: More Than Just Signage for Transform Magazine, I challenge this narrow perception, emphasizing that plaques and arrows are only a small part of a much broader, more nuanced experience. True wayfinding begins earlier than most realize—long before they ever encounter a physical sign.

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Shaping the Future: How Women-Led Networks are Transforming AEC

Katie Osborn — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:30:27 +0000

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what it truly takes to build in this city. Beyond the technical feats of engineering, New York is a landscape being reshaped by women who refuse to accept the status quo. In the AEC world, professional organizations are far more than networking hubs—they are the strategic engines providing the visibility and mentorship necessary to…

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Reflections from New York Build Expo

Jess Schrader — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:26:47 +0000

Last week at the New York Build Expo, one theme resonated across every conversation: the built environment is shifting from isolated “objects” to integrated systems. Architecture is no longer just about the building—it’s about how design influences how we move through and connect within the city. Discussions focused on how architectural and experience design are expanding beyond individual…

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Welcoming Jessica Schrader to Via Collective

Katie Osborn — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:51:54 +0000

We are excited to share that Jessica Schrader to the Via Collective team as Project Director! As Project Director at Via Collective, Jessica provides strategic direction for complex wayfinding and environmental graphic programs. She guides a multidisciplinary team through every phase of the design process, bringing a sense of rigor and clarity to complex, large-scale projects.

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A Conversation Without Words

Katie Osborn — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:00:15 +0000

February is often a season for reflection and connection. In the world of wayfinding, that mindset manifests as empathy. It is found in the quiet, often invisible decisions that transform complex environments—like sprawling campuses, high-stakes hospital, or dense urban centers—into a space that feels intuitive, calm, and welcoming. At its best, wayfinding is an act of care.

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Wayfinding as Campus Strategy

Katie Osborn — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:43:16 +0000

Located primarily in Downtown Brooklyn, the campus sits within a dense business district where academic buildings blend seamlessly into the surrounding urban fabric. For visitors and new students, it was often difficult to distinguish NYU facilities from neighboring office and residential buildings. Without the clear edges of a traditional campus—no quads, gates, or sweeping lawns—the environment…

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