We are mission-driven, passionate about design, and big on community.
What We Do
Through material exploration and design thinking (inquiry, sketching, and prototyping), kids at ProtoToto make art and absorb design fundamentals across architecture, graphic design, interior design, and industrial design. This process of discovery builds stronger analytical skills, problem-solving strategies, friendships, and intellectual confidence.
Studio Culture
Our studio is part workshop, part clubhouse. With abundant art materials and tools, fun books, and healthy snacks. It's a safe and fun space where kids can make art and design, support each other, and bring their creative ideas to life.
Small Group Focus
Your child will learn from smart, talented and caring designers, architects, and arts educators in intimate classes of just 12 students (with two instructors always present). Our teaching team blends industry experience with a genuine passion for supporting young creative minds.
Our Founder (and Instructor)
Suzanne LaGasa founded ProtoToto from a simple realization: Brooklyn has amazing programs for sports, art, music, and academics - but few places for kids to learn how to think like designers in a hands-on way.
As the only person in her family to pursue a career in art and design, Suzanne is committed to championing the value of one's inherent creativity through design to foster confidence and lifelong success.
Suzanne is the former Creative Director of Dwell Magazine, with a career spanning book design and brand strategies. A graduate of California College of the Arts, she brings a Bauhaus-inspired approach to design education. She lives in walking distance to the studio, with her daughter and ProtoToto's gentle studio dog, Pickles.
Our Team
Vicky Zhang
Vicky is a Pratt Institute MA candidate in Art Education (BFA in Art Education, 2025), with New York State teaching certification in Visual Arts Pre-K–12. She has taught across Brooklyn public schools, Lisbon, Portugal, and Puerto Rico, bringing hands-on experience in ceramics, printmaking, fiber arts, and animation to elementary and middle school classrooms. Fluent in Cantonese and Spanish, she brings a culturally responsive, playful approach to studio teaching.
Instructor
Aidan Pierre-Louis
Aiden is currently an architecture student at Amherst College, having previously studied at St. Lawrence University, where he was active in campus leadership through the Black Student Union, Association for Campus Entertainment, and as a community mentor. He brings hands-on experience with 3D modeling and physical model-making, along with a strong background working with children in grades K–6. A skilled group leader and communicator, he combines his design training with a natural ease facilitating activities for young campers.
Camp Counselor
Volunteer Camp CounselorBeatrice Bryant
Beatrice Bryant is a New York City native and high school student who's back with us for another summer! She's a caring and thoughtful counselor and endlessly patient with our campers, whether she's helping them build model details (i.e. ladders and stairs) or chatting with them about school, sports, or life in the city.
Our Advisors
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Reina Nishida Lee
Business Operations and Strategy Consultant
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Stephanie Ogé
Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur,
Sogé Studios -
Vered Raz
Arts Teacher, The Boerum Hill School for International Studies
Art & Design Education MSEd, Pratt -
Luise Stauss
Creative Consultant and Founder, Stauss-Fussell
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Patricia Semmler
Architect and Founder, Pem Studio NYC
Key Contributors
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Laura Dirzyte
Laura designed our logo and icons. Check out her portfolio here. She was a Senior Graphic Designer at Condé Nast. She studied architecture at The University of Manchester and has a MA in Graphic Media Design from London University of the Arts.
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Peira Moinester
Peira coaches Suzanne on camp operations and management. She's the Co-Founder and Camp Director of the excellent Brooklyn Music Factory, She’s also a parent of two and comes from a family of after-school and camp providers.
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Jerry Posman
Jerry advises Suzanne on education and business strategy. He's Founder of the Up Foundation, former CUNY Vice Chancellor, former Deputy Chancellor at NYC DOE, and has held various leadership roles in the private and non-profit sectors.