PARTNER & CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER, NEW KIND, RALEIGH NC
Matthew Muñoz is Chief Design Officer and Partner at New Kind, a 12-person company whose purpose is to bring people together to share in the adventure of creating the future. Matthew uses design methods to facilitate collaborative experiences, shape organizational culture, craft stories that excite and inform, and ultimately help New Kind’s clients realize the future they’re here to create. In 2014, he co-founded the Hopscotch Design Festival, a 2-day gathering place to discover the people designing the future. He’s a nationally award-winning designer, and in 2013 was honored as a Triangle Business Journal “40 Under 40 Leadership Award” winner. His work has been recognized by AIGA chapters, The Webby Awards, the Type Directors Club, Ad Club, HOW Magazine, and Communication Arts.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Cultivate your craft – in whatever form that takes – while keeping an eye on the larger world you’re working in. This dual focus can help you find new ways to apply your craft, increase your relevance and employability, and make an even broader impact.
HOW DOES WHERE YOU WERE BORN, GREW UP OR LIVE NOW EFFECT YOUR DESIGN SENSIBILITY OR STYLE?
Mid-Western rootedness and Southern thoughtfulness definitely makes me optimistic about what’s possible for the future while taking intentional, practical actions to get there. Living in Raleigh NC provides the opportunity to easily travel, while being surrounded by an increasing diversity of people, companies, and ideas.
FAVORITE COLOR?
Blue generally, cyan specifically
FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
Cooper Black
FAVORITE APP?
Instagram, Pocket
FAVORITE WEBSITES?
NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day, Colossal
FAVORITE TV SHOW?
House of Cards (new version)
FAVORITE BOOKS?
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
FAVORITE MOVIES?
Inception, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
FAVORITE MUSICIANS OR BANDS?
Bloc Party, Frightened Rabbit, The National
FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS?
Picasso
GREATEST STRENGTH AS A DESIGNER?
Openness
WEAKNESS?
Occasionally relying on assumptions
TALENT YOU WISHED YOU POSSESSED?
Being able to instantly shift someone’s perspective
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Pixar Animator
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Form with intent. (Which is also the way I see design.)
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