Proto Todo

IN ORDER FOR KIDS TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD, THEY NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DESIGN ONE.

There’s a problem: Most kids in New York don’t have access to a design education. In fact, a whole lot of people don’t even learn about design until adults trying to make it in the workforce. They miss out on many great career opportunities. And they miss out on the opportunity to have their creativity turned into valuable life-long skills.

NASA conducted a study to help them hire future geniuses. They defined genius as: your ability to use your creative imagination to solve problems.

They focused on a group of 1,600 kids, ages 3-5. At first 98% of these youngsters were labeled as creative geniuses. By the age of 10 only 30% qualified, by age 15 only 12%. By the time they were adults only 2% met the criteria. The conclusion is that suppression of creativity is learned.

New York kids deserve better.

Source: TEDxTucson George Land The Failure Of Success

Introducing...

PROTO TOTO Brooklyn’s first and only design studio for kids

The solution

For a kind of kid getting to make things, getting to explore creative vision, and talk about their ideas is pure joy. It’s finding community and purpose.

Give that kid a bright workshop with tools and raw materials, challenge them, and their creativity is set free.

Our vision

A design studio as a place where kid are seen and heard. A place where they learn that their creativity has value, and families are welcomed into the fold.

Through a design focus we hope to unleash a joy of learning, nourish curiosity, provide lifelong skills and get kids to think bigger than they thought possible.

What are some of these life long skills?

Creative problem solving Applied ingenuity Collaboration (and community) Setting intentions Persuasive communication Constructive criticism

What are some design-related career paths?

Suchi Reddy, Architect

Graphic design Architecture Industrial design Interior design Landscape design UX design Product design Web design Furniture design Fashion design Interaction design

Marketing design Media planning Design engineering Brand management Bradley Bowers, furniture designer Advertising Motion design Video game design Application development Front-end web development Videographer Concept Artist

What would this design studio be like?

A workshop with space for presentation and discussion.

Located in Brooklyn, NY and accessible by public transportation.

Featuring: Work tables Pin-up wall Materials library Design books Fabrication tools Art supplies 3D printers Natural light Family lounge area

Who would manage it?

Suzanne LaGasa – creative director at a renound design and architecture publication AIGA design mentor Fluent Portuguese, French and Spanish Expert in children’s publication design, including designing for schools at Scholastic Experienced at teaching design classes at the California College of the Arts Conducted pop up design workshops for kids since 2020 Proud single-mom to a thriving 6-year-old

Is there a board of advisors?

Rebecca Blum

Aaron Dorf

Farrah Sit

Merie Subryan

Tiffany Jow

Stepanie Ogé

Design faculty, NYU

Interior Designer and mother

Director/architect, Snøhetta

Design journalist and editor-in-chief, Untapped

Product designer and founder of Light + Ladder

Designer and founder of Sogé Studios.

Yes! We have a group of industry leaders committed to our cause They care deeply about the value of design, creativity, and inclusion in building a better world.

P.S. We’re also building a diverse board of parents determined to make this possible for their kids.

What’s the competition?

Who is it for again?

NY kids ages 5-13 inclined towards the arts.

Families in need of extra curricular support.

Our greater NY community as kids grow knowing more creative career path options.

There’s none!

Well, there are general art and craft studios for NY kids. They can learn about textiles, sewing and ceramics. And about painting, animation or collage.

But none of those teach the principles of design.

What now?

We have great parent interest, a strong board of advisors and solid programing model. We have a vetted leader, and through industry connections we can acquire quality furniture and materials.

We just need funding to secure a physical space.

Our goal is open doors Summer 2024 with mini-camps and workshops for over 100 kids.

HELP US LAUNCH A DESIGN STUDIO FOR KIDS AND BUILD A BETTER NEW YORK

PROTO TOTO Brooklyn’s first and only design studio for kids

Thank you!