DIFFA's Dining by Design

A team of NYSID students created a stunning installation for this year’s Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA) Dining by Design. The event runs from March 17-21 at Pier 92 and will bring together international and local designers to create dining installations to raise funds for DIFFA’s efforts fighting HIV/AIDS.

BFA seniors Pete Agnew, Shannon Epstein, Gianna Parisi, and Samantha Pendleton worked under the guidance of NYSID faculty member Rene Estacio and designer Tyler Wisler to create a dining display dubbed "Action=Life;" a dynamic showcase of triangles that represents three essential characteristics of someone fighting HIV and AIDS: strength, courage, and perseverance.

“This project is unique for students because it involves every phase of the design process—from concept to installation,” says Estacio. “In a traditional school project, the process begins with the concept and ends with the final presentation. The Dining by Design project covers all the phases of a design project, and students are given the chance to experience what it’s like to work on a real-life project.” By participating in the project, Estacio hopes that the student team will not only gain a clearer understanding of the design process, but also have a better understanding of DIFFA and its mission.