Justin Schneider

CEO and Founder of Wolf and Shepherd ™ 

Mentor and Boss During Design Internship Jun 2025 - Aug 2025

I believe thoughtful design starts with understanding, and asking the right questions. Before anything, I immerse myself in the problem space to get to the core and underlying need; to  uncover what people are really asking for, whether that’s solving a frustration, fulfilling a goal, or creating a particular feeling; and define what success truly looks like. 

From there, I work backwards, defining a path to achieve it. Throughout the process, I balance research with design intuition, drawing on an understanding of marketplace trends, brand identity, aesthetics, form, and user experience to make thoughtful, intentional decisions. Leading with curiosity and an open mind, I strive to create products/solutions that not only function well and are visually compelling, but are thoughtfully crafted for the people they’re meant to serve. 

“I had the privilege of working with Akari Matsuno during her design internship, and I was consistently impressed by her exceptional talent and professionalism. Akari came to us from the University of Notre Dame and quickly demonstrated an outstanding mix of raw creative ability and intelligent problem-solving skills that set her apart from the start.

Her athletic background as a competitive tennis player clearly shows in her work ethic—disciplined, focused, and relentless in delivering excellence. She not only completed her personal projects on time but did so with remarkable attention to detail and creativity. In addition, Akari made meaningful contributions to our in-line product creation, bringing fresh ideas and thoughtful execution to the team.

What truly stands out about Akari is her initiative, understanding of marketplace trends and passion for design. She approaches challenges with a strategic mindset and a strong sense of ownership, making her an invaluable member of any team she joins.

We will be following her design career closely and would be honored to work with her again in the future. Any organization would be fortunate to have Akari on their team.”