A Design Educators Impact
Associate Dean Barbara Lowenthal’s message to NYSID as she retires
One of the most magical things about Barbara Lowenthal is that she finds every mind, every classroom, energizing after decades of teaching and administrating at NYSID. Says NYSID President David Sprouls, “Barbara’s thinking and teaching have become part of the DNA of this College.” Here’s what this beloved educator has to say about her 27-year tenure at NYSID.
LOWENTHAL ON A STUDY-ABROAD TRIP TO VIENNA WITH HER STUDENTS IN 2017
Barbara Lowenthal, RA, NCIDQ, IDEC, began teaching at NYSID in 1994, when her youngest son was an infant. For her first three years at NYSID, she taught Contract Design I in the BFA program at night. Eventually word of her teaching prowess spread, and Scott Ageloff, the VP/dean at the time, offered her more classes. She soon found herself teaching 12 to 13 credits a semester, from BFA Design Process, Contract Design II, and BFA thesis, to MFA2 Directed Thesis Research and Thesis, and numerous MFA1 studios. Lowenthal became a NYSID administrator in 2008 when she became area coordinator for MFA programs, and she rose to the position of associate dean in 2014. After almost 27 years at NYSID, she retired from most of her duties as associate dean at the end of 2020, but she’s continuing to work part time with the College as a consultant through the fall. She shares her story in her own words.
NYSID: What did you actually do as associate dean? What did you like best about your job?
BL: I liked being involved with the entire “life cycle” of NYSID students: recruiting prospective students at admissions events, bringing my special perspective to teaching in the classroom, assessing student work at all levels of the BFA and MFA programs through critiques and accreditations, helping our students find jobs, and staying in touch with our graduates wherever they go in the world. I enjoyed mentoring and problem-solving with students and faculty who dropped by my office, traveling and teaching students in study abroad, recruiting distinguished practitioners to our MFA Advisory Board and learning from their suggestions, reaching beyond the school through my involvement with the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) to learn from other design educators, and finally writing new projects and planning new curricula for new students—one of best parts of my job. One PowerPoint I originally put together for new MFA1 students, Elements and Principles of Design, is now being used in all sorts of introductory courses across the school. If you’re a current student, you’ve probably seen it.
NYSID: You were instrumental in the creation of the MFA1. What was your role?
BL: The VP/dean at that time (2008), Scott Ageloff, pushed for the program, and worked with the former president, Christopher Cyphers, and Ellen Fisher, who was associate dean then, on getting New York State approval for the program. It was their vision to have a studio system with dedicated workspace. I was brought in to help execute the program. I worked with Scott and Ellen to develop content for 18 new classes, conduct faculty selection and mentoring, and review of all of the materials for dedicated courses. There was not a project I did not see and approve.
NYSID: What accomplishments are you most proud of as you look back at your NYSID tenure?
BL: I think I had the most impact as a teacher. Plus, being in the classroom gives you invaluable insight into students’ experiences, and that helps you become a better administrator.
The MFA1 program feels like a big success, not only because it’s grown so robust, but also because we have continually improved it. What I learned from my close relationships with MFA1 students early in the program’s history was that the 11-month schedule was crushing. Students needed flexible summers to see families who lived far away, to enjoy some downtime, and to get internship experience. In response to this student feedback, after the 2012 MFA1 CIDA accreditation, Ellen Fisher and I carved out space in the program for the summer experiential learning courses. We gave students the choice to do internships for credit, take “service-learning studios’’ in which they do real, pro bono design work for good causes, or do travel or independent study. It’s a chance to pursue the things that most interest them. Our summer experiential learning program is unique to NYSID, and our students leave the MFA1 program with real experience and amazing portfolios because of it.
I’m also proud that the BFA and MFA programs have been nationally recognized as being among the best in the country. Of course, this is not just my accomplishment: the whole faculty, staff, and administration have been instrumental. What we’ve done in recent years to increase and improve online learning, especially during the pandemic, is also an extraordinary team accomplishment.
NYSID: You always taught, even as associate dean. Why?
BL: I like the challenge of teaching interior design, the balance between pragmatic and conceptual thinking. When I teach, I feel focused and absorbed. I get into the flow of it. And I like being able to connect interior design to cultural references I care about, like art, literature, and rock and roll—even when my students stare blankly when I mention some band I like.
The best parts of teaching occur when a student responds to your suggestions by surpassing your expectations and taking it to the next level. An important part of being an educator is to truly listen to students, to help them figure out what they really want, and to guide them to the best version of their ideas. And of course, there’s the novelty factor: every semester, every class, and every student is different. It never feels repetitive.
NYSID: What do you want to say to the thousands of interior design alumni you educated?
BL: Interior design education is all about seeing, analyzing, and understanding the built environment in new and meaningful ways. For better or for worse, once you see the world as an interior designer, that’s that—there’s no turning back. It enriches your life whatever path you take.
“I first encountered Barbara as my studio teacher when I began my own studies at NYSID. For the 20 years since, her nurturing, witty personality, and brilliant, sharp mind have become an integral source of inspiration. I treasure her as a hard-working colleague, enthusiastic travel companion, confidante, and dear friend.”
NYSID: Do you have anything you want to say to your colleagues as you retire?
BL: I want to thank every one of them for making my professional life easier—or at least more interesting. One of my favorite parts of being an administrator was collaborating with faculty in creating and refining their courses. True collaboration is not that easy, and I always felt our work together was a dialogue among equals. Working with the Office of Academic Affairs gang has been truly rewarding and they’ve been there for me in the good times and the bad. And I have a special fondness for the staff at the Graduate Center who have been my friends and troubleshooters.
It was also a privilege to work with Ellen Fisher (VP and dean of academic affairs). Throughout our long working relationship, we have collaborated really effectively to advance our students’ education. I’ll never forget our many meetings about curricula at Mariella Pizza, or the night before our 2012 BFA and MFA1 CIDA accreditation reports were due, working at school ’till midnight, and then ending up in an unfamiliar midtown hotel that looked just like it had been designed by one of our students. Ellen has done a great deal for this school and enabled me to be a part of it.
NYSID: Do you have plans for your retirement?
BL: First, I will redesign my kitchen. And I’ve always wanted to have more time to write and draw (by hand!). When the pandemic is over, I’ll hopefully see more of northwest Connecticut, where I moved in 2020, and more of Europe. I know I won’t be bored.