Via Collective

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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International Wayfinding Month

Katie Osborn — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:19:05 +0000

Each January, International Wayfinding Month invites us to reflect on the essential role wayfinding plays in how people experience the built environment around the world. For Via Collective, this moment is an opportunity to pause and consider why wayfinding remains so central to how we think about design, access, and human experience. From hospitals and universities to transportation hubs…

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Welcoming Doug Tarabini to Via Collective

Katie Osborn — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:31:47 +0000

We are excited to share that Doug Tarabini has joined the Via Collective team as Project Manager! An organizer, designer, and doer, Doug brings a strategic, user-centered approach to his role as Project Manager at Via Collective. Specializing in program implementation, he excels at distilling complex challenges into clear, focused solutions. From start-ups to Fortune 500 companies…

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16 Things We Are Grateful For in 2025

Katie Osborn — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:31:17 +0000

This month, Via Collective celebrates 16 years! Over the past year, we’ve grown, learned, and evolved—welcoming new clients and team members, tackling inspiring projects, and strengthening how we collaborate as a team. It’s been a year full of milestones, challenges, achievements, and plenty of moments worth celebrating. I’m incredibly proud of the work we create, the people who make up our team…

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