Notable at NYSID: Summer 2024
Student news
Melida Valera
Taurean Jones
Introducing the NYSID Black Design Collective
Two NYSID students, Melida Valera ’24 (MFA1) and Taurean Jones ’24 (BFA), launched the Black Design Collective (BDC) at NYSID in March. The club’s faculty advisor is Leyden Lewis. The BDC seeks to be both a home base and springboard for Black students at NYSID, as well as a space where allies can show support. Valera served as BDC president this year, and Jones as vice president. The organization will foster a sense of belonging and empowerment among the student body and provide a platform for Black student members to engage in meaningful discussions; share their experiences; discover local Black makers, artists, and designers; and collaborate with industry professionals to establish relationships. Additionally, the BDC will collaborate with other student organizations and community partners to promote diversity and inclusion within the art and design fields. The BDC was inspired by the work of the Black Artists and Designers Guild (BADG), a group they will collaborate with. “Facilitating connections between students and other BIPOC designers is crucial for career growth,” says Valera. “This means the industry will become more diverse in the long run.” Follow NYSID BDC on Instagram @nysid.bdc or reach out to bdc@nysid.edu.
Carissa Pintello and Carmen Cruz
The First Student Chapter of AAPIDA Anywhere
MFA1 student Carissa Pintello founded the first student chapter of the Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance (AAPIDA) at NYSID in March. AAPIDA is the first and only professional organization that engages, promotes, and empowers Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders working within the home and design industries to foster visibility, collaboration, and representation industry-wide. The national organization was founded by Jessica Davis, Joanne Hallare, Young Huh, Go Kasai, William Li, Jean Liu, and Benjamin Reynaert in 2022 (Huh is a member of NYSID’s Board of Trustees). Pintello is serving as the president of the NYSID student chapter, also known as AAPIDA x NYSID. The vice president is Carmen Cruz (MFA1). Says Pintello, “I hope that the AAPIDA student chapter will provide our AAPI students a community of support and empowerment. Secondly, the goal is to grow our understanding of Asian designers, design, and the impact both have had on historical styles.” All students are welcome. Students can email aapida@nysid.edu to join and follow the student chapter on Instagram @AAPIDA.NYSID.
2023 Service Learning—Yonkers Senior and Affordable Public Housing
NYSID offers a unique and popular summer service-learning studio that fulfills the MFA1’s requirement that students do Experiential Learning during the summer. For summer 2023, a team of NYSID students were tasked with designing senior and disabled public housing for the Municipal Housing Authority of Yonkers. The students on the team were Olesia Ivanova, Jefferson Johanes, Belight Kakpo, Aleksandra LaJeunesse, Cristina Llewellyn, Jamie Nathan, Setayesh Parvinjah, Ranjetha Bomma Reddy, Nour Saedeldine, Obiageli Ukatu, and Dionysia Zipitas. They worked under the auspices of instructor Joseph Goldstein. The students presented their final designs to the staff and board of the Municipal Housing Authority of Yonkers, including the organization’s President and CEO Wilson Kimball, on August 1. “I want to say how impressive this was. I’ve been involved in public housing for 50 years, and these buildings were built before that, in an austere and sterile way. What we saw today is you really turning the place around and making it feel upscale, like a home where people will want to live,” said James Landy, chair of the Municipal Housing Authority of Yonkers. Summer 2024 service learning is focused on The Children’s Center, a place for children entering foster care, run by NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Terry Kleinberg teaches service learning in summer 2024.
Shambhavi Sanjay, Nour Saedeldine, Valerie Cheung, Taurean Jones, Claudia Tejeda, Carissa Pintello
Unity of Cultures Vignette at Design on a Dime
A team of NYSID students that included Krishna Nidhi Babu (MPSS), Valerie Cheung (BFA), Taurean Jones (BFA), Carissa Pintello (MFA1), Nour Saedeldine (MFA1), and Shambhavi Sanjay (MFA2) collaborated on a vignette for Design on a Dime 2024, which opened to the public on April 25. The students decided to make their design about the “unity of their many cultures,” blending design traditions. NYSID instructor and alumna Claudia Tejeda ’08 (AAS) mentored the team. Kravet Inc. sponsored the team. The proceeds helped fund Housing Works’ mission to end HIV/AIDS.
Institutional News
A Revamped Academic Support Center at 70th Street
This Spring, the College’s Writing Center transformed into the Academic Support Center, which offers various forms of support and tutoring in everything from drafting, to writing, to ESL help, to optimizing the application of many forms of software. Alexis Barr, NYSID’s director of student academic support services, led the initiative to rethink and reorganize the center, locate it in the lower level at the 70th Street building, and make it into a welcoming hub for students. Barr says, “Our student body is growing more diverse: We have more distance learning/online students, first-generation students, and international students. Our intention is to offer a more comprehensive slate of services to meet their needs.” The services they plan to roll out in the center include, “a self-serve student pantry stocked with no-charge food and essentials; short, targeted ‘FAQ’ style videos offering academic support; on-campus events to bring students together outside of the classroom; and drop-in, on-campus and online study sessions around midterm and end-of-term weeks,” says Barr. If you’re in need of academic support, reach out to Barr: alexis.barr@nysid.edu.
NYSID Produces a Policy for the Use of AI
A committee composed of Assistant Dean of Academic Computing and Technologies Todd Class; Associate Dean Daniel Harper; and faculty members Alexis Barr, Jeffri Boisvert, and Warren Ashworth developed a new academic policy for the use of AI in NYSID assignments. Boisvert chaired the committee. “We want to be at the forefront of understanding the potential of AI as a tool,” explains Associate Dean Harper, “We will be teaching students how to use it ethically and responsibly and it will be embedded in classes across the curriculum.” The central tenants of the AI policy are that students must act with academic integrity and not misrepresent their knowledge or ability; that they must disclose the specific components of an assignment that were generated using AI; and that they must reflect on the responsibility of using AI in their work. The policy was published online in the 2023-24 Student Handbook.
Board of Trustees
John Edelman Has Joined NYSID’s Board of Trustees
At its September 2023 meeting, the New York School of Interior Design Board of Trustees made John Edelman, President and CEO of Heller, its newest member. “John has been a force in the home furnishings business for decades. His deep appreciation of design lineage, in combination with his business acumen, are what have made him so successful. We’re excited to experience the energy and knowledge he’ll bring to this role,” says David Sprouls, President of NYSID. Edelman purchased the company of his dreams, Heller, in 2022, but his story in the home furnishings industry began with his family’s company, Edelman Leather, and his parents’ commitment to craft and authenticity. He spent 14 years at Edelman Leather, including six as president and CEO. Along with John McPhee, he re-envisioned the company. Soon after, he turned his family’s namesake brand into a global trademark, before helping facilitate its sale to Knoll, Inc. in 2007. In 2010, John purchased Design Within Reach with McPhee. He revitalized the retailer, turning it into the world leader in authentic modern design. In 2014, Herman Miller, Inc. purchased the renewed DWR and Edelman stayed on as CEO of both DWR and Herman Miller Consumer Group before departing in 2019. Edelman sits on the Chilewich Board of Directors and is the Executive Chair of Crypton Fabrics. In May 2022, NYSID gave him an honorary doctorate in Interior Design. At Gala 2023, the College presented him with the Larry Kravet Design Industry Leadership Award.
NYSID Board of Trustees Welcomes Gale Singer
The New York School of Interior Design appointed Gale Singer to its Board of Trustees in February. Singer is the founder of the direct division of Visual Comfort & Co., formerly known as Circa Lighting. Since 1998, when Singer opened her first 375 SQ FT showroom in Savannah, Georgia, her business acumen has afforded the company broad renown among the design community and extraordinary sustained growth. By the end of 2024, the direct division of Visual Comfort & Co. will have expanded its robust showroom and e-commerce business to more than 60 locations across the US, an international hub in London, and digital platforms that serve US, UK, and EU markets. Alongside her brother, Andy Singer—founder of the company’s namesake manufacturing arm, Visual Comfort—Gale was the 2020 recipient of NYSID’s coveted Larry Kravet Design Industry Innovation Award. “I am thrilled to have Gale Singer join the NYSID Board of Trustees,” said NYSID President David Sprouls. “Having founded and run an incredibly successful lighting company, she brings years of experience and tremendous business acumen to our board table.”
student Awards
Inter(Vo)ven: A Creative House for Fashion by Mihika Chatterjee
Botanique Restaurant and Bar by Nivedhitha Ravi
INT Interior Design Awards 2023
Recent alumni Mihika Chatterjee ’23 (MFA2) and Nivedhitha Ravi ’23 (MFA2) won multiple student categories of the 2023 INT Interior Design Awards. Chatterjee’s Mélange: A Wellness Hotel won for Commercial - Hospitality (Spa & Wellness, Hotel Design); her Inter(Vo)ven: A Creative House for Fashion Designers won for Commercial - Large commercial interiors; her Carrington House won for Residential - Apartments & Houses (House 400+ sqm, Multi Unit Residential); and her BCH Retail Store won for Commercial - Retail Interior (Flagship store, Showroom). Ravi’s design of Wagner Senior Community Center won for Commercial - Hospitality (Other hospitality; Public Interior Design; Healthcare).
Metropolis Future100 Class of 2024
Kile Hotchkiss ’24 (MFA1) and Melida Valera ’24 (MFA1) were selected as members of the Metropolis Future100 Class of 2024. This is one of the industry’s most prestigious awards. The 50 architecture students and 50 interior design students, selected by the team at Metropolis magazine, are considered an elite cohort of emerging leaders who are reshaping the landscape of our industry. NYSID instructor Hans Galutera nominated Hotchkiss based on his work for the MFA1 hospitality studio. Assistant Dean Richard Todd Class nominated Valera.
Architecture Masterprize 2023
Rendering for Yohji Yamamoto retail store by Sonal Aggrawal
Sonal Aggarwal ’24 (MFA2) won a gold in Interior Design - Retail for Yohji Yamamoto NYC Flagship, a silver in Interior Design - Hospitality for Serenova Montreal Boutique Hotel, and a gold in Conceptual Design for New York School of Game Design.
LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2023
Mihika Chatterjee ’23 (MFA2) won Emerging Interior Designer of the Year and the Living Space - Luxury Hotel category for Inter(Vo)ven - A Fashion Hotel.
Sonal Aggarwal ’24 (MFA2) won the Bar Lounge and Private Club categories for her Serenova Montreal Boutique Hotel.
Nivedhitha Ravi ’23 (MFA2) won the Interior Design Restaurant - Casual category for Botanique Restaurant and Bar. She won the Interior Design - Other category for Wagner Senior Community Center.
Pooja Panchal ’23 (MFA2) won the Interior Design Restaurant - Theme category for Hotel le Vivant. She won the Interior Design Restaurant - Boutique category for The Living Hotel.
Bhumi Shah ’24 (MFA1) won the Interior Design Hotel - Boutique category for Chute d’Automne Boutique.
Chute d’Automne Boutique by Bhumi Shah
LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2022
Mihika Chatterjee ’23 (MFA2) won a 2022 LIV Hospitality Design Award for her Mélange Wellness Hotel project in two distinct categories, Interior design - Living space (Hotel - Luxury category) and Interior Design Living Space (North America category - Destination hotel design). Other NYSID students who won LIV awards in 2022 were reported on in the summer 2023 issue.
NEWH Awards 2023
McGill Heritage Hotel by Jason Win
Essence by Melida Valera
Student Jason Win (MFA1) received the NEWH/Kaufmann Contract Scholarship Award, a $10,000 scholarship for interior design students with a career focus in hospitality. He won the award for his entire portfolio, but he’s most proud of his renderings of the McGill Heritage Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. Student Melida Valera ’24 (MFA1) received the 2023 NEWH/Tarkett Hospitality Achievement Scholarship, also a $10,000 scholarship. One of the projects she submitted was Essence, a mental health center for Black men located in Atlanta, Georgia. Both received their awards at the HD Platinum Circle Gala in New York City in November 2023.
HD Design Awards 2024
Mihika Chatterjee ’23 (MFA2) was chosen as the student winner for her thesis project, Inter(Vo)ven - A Fashion Hotel.
Architecture Masterprize 2023
Mihika Chatterjee ’23 (MFA2) won the student awards of the Architecture Masterprize in three distinct categories. Chaterjee’s Carrington House won for Interior Design - Residential Interior Category, and her Inter(Vo)ven: A Creative House for Fashion Designers won in the Exhibition Design and Other Interior Design categories.
IDA Awards 2023
Sonal Aggarwal ’24 (MFA2) won a gold in Commercial Interior Designer of the Year for Yohji Yamamoto NYC Flagship, a silver in Interior Design for the Museum of CGI Movies, and a bronze in Commercial Interior Designer of the Year for New York School of Game Design.
Mihika Chatterjee ’23 (MFA2) won a silver in Interior Designer of the Year/Commercial, and a gold in Commercial Interior Designs for her New York School of Fine Arts; she won gold in Hospitality Interior Design/Hotels and bronze in Interior Designer of the Year, Hospitality for Mélange: A Wellness Hotel; she won silver in Interior Designer of the Year/Commercial and bronze in Interior Designer of the Year/Cultural for Inter(Vo)ven: Creative House for Fashion Designers; and she won bronze in Residential Interior Design/Renovation for Refined Living: The Carrington House.
Sarah Choudhary ’23 (MFA2) won gold in Hospitality Interior Designer of the Year and gold in Hospitality Interior Design/Resorts for The Oasis: An Elevated Wellness Experience. She won gold in Hospitality Interior Design and silver in Hospitality Interior Designer of the Year, among other awards, for Hotel Cirque. She won bronze in Commercial Interior Designer of the Year for her Vera Wang Flagship.
Prachi Fulwane ’24 (MFA2) won a gold in Cultural Interior Design/Museum, and a gold in Commercial Interior Design/Cinemas for Unseen Realities: The Museum of the Psychological Thriller.
Sachi Shah ’24 (MFA2) won bronze in Cultural Interior Design/Museum for Museum of Animated Fantasy Films.
Amina Shinassylova ’24 (MFA2) won silver in Cultural Interior Design/Museum for Museum of Moving Images: World of Fantasy Animation.