Meanwhile is a strategy-led multidisciplinary design studio working at the intersection of food systems, neighborhood retail, placemaking. Our work transforms complex ideas into clear, accessible, and culturally grounded public-facing systems across pixel, print, and immersive environments.
We partner with mission-driven organizations shaping how people live, gather, and engage with culture, across hospitality, public space, and health.
Our New York practice is a NYC-certified Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE).
Nicky Chang
Founder, Brand Strategy & Design Partner
Nicky Chang is NYC-based strategist and design lead working at the intersection of brand systems, business design, and immersive environments. As founder of Meanwhile, she advises organizations through moments of growth, transformation, and public engagement, guiding key stakeholders navigating decisions that span business strategy, brand experience, and placemaking. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. Nicky holds a Master of Architecture from Yale University and a B.A. in Art History Practice from Williams College. She serves as an invited critic at Columbia GSAPP, Pratt Institute, and Parsons School of Design.
Howard Fish
Partner, Brand Strategy
With decades of experience helping mission-driven organizations earn awareness, participation, and public trust, Howard leads brand strategy and communication at Meanwhile. From founding the brand for The Wild Center to naming the global media company Semafor and guiding New York State's community economic-development work, he specializes in place-based research, naming, and long-horizon community engagement.
Jaime Garcia
Partner, Experience Design
Jaime Garcia is an experience designer and design researcher with a deep focus on emerging technologies and the future of human-centered interactions. His work integrates emotive design, anthropology research, and strategic foresight, harnessing design as a force for social, economical, and cultural impact. Jaime engages in creative mentoring and is an integral part of multidisciplinary projects across the globe including Rakuten, SONY, Cartier, Vitra, and Hewlett-Packard. He earned his Master's in Business Design in Milan, Italy, and his B.A. in Industrial Design.
TEAM
Communication Design
Max Cao | Jiayu Hu | Niki Ito
Signage, Wayfinding, Environmental Graphics
Sunny Cui | Ingrid Schmaedecke
Architectural Interior
Katie Jin