Students Impress at Summer Pre-College Show
“I really liked this program. I knew I kind of liked design from what I saw on TV but I was not sure whether it was something I would be good at. This gave me the chance to do it and get feedback.”
Instructor Ana Penabla was particularly impressed by the circular entranceway created by Katelyn Liao because it allowed flow into every room of the apartment.
From interior design fans to interior design students
On July 17, the 39 students in the Summer Pre-College program gathered in a Zoom classroom to show off the one bedroom apartments they designed over the course of their two-week interior design immersion. Most of these students had no training in interior design; they were simply fans. They came out of the course, which is based on NYSID’s Introduction to Interior Design program for adults, with beautiful designs of one-bedroom apartments that included floor plans, a selection of furniture and materials, color schemes, and original patterns, profiles of their clients, and much more. Attending the show and evaluating the work was much of NYSID’s academic leadership: President David Sprouls, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean Ellen Fisher, and Director of Undergraduate Programs Barbara Weinreich. The five interior designers who team-taught the course in small sections, Don Kossar, Francisco de León, Pamela Giolito, Ana Penalba, and Christina Carpio, also gave students feedback.
Usually, the Summer Pre-College show is an in-person party with the projects mounted on a wall; but this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show took place entirely on Zoom. “This went a lot better than I expected! I am really impressed with the work, “said Instructor Francisco de León. Instructor Pamela Giolito added, “The quality of the projects was better than ever. These kids got the concepts so quickly, so fluidly, it was amazing.” Don Kossar, who is both an instructor and the director of the Summer Pre-College program, said, “I think the online live show worked better than the in person live show because they all commented on each other’s projects. It was truly interactive, and all about the work, the way it is in a real design presentation.” Indeed, as even the shyest of the students presented work, compliments, and insights from the other students lit up the Zoom chat.
All good design begins with a strong concept, so Kossar starts the students out with concept development. They have to understand exactly who their clients are and create a space that reflects their style, story, collections, and the way they will use the space. This year, the imagined clients ranged from the Harry Potter series’ Luna Lovegood to a fashion designer whose closets and clothing become the focal point of her life and space (project by Molly Wasserman). Simona Mungo selected real people she knew intimately, her parents, as her theoretical clients. As a result, she developed the design around a lake her mother loves, Lake George. She chose a color scheme of blues and greens and tiles and textiles that evoked the moving water and rolling hills of Lake George, NY.
Simona Mungo selected real people she knew intimately, her parents, as her theoretical clients. As a result, she developed the design around a lake her mother loves, Lake George.
The instructors also spend time teaching the students space planning, beginning with basic drafting techniques. Says Kossar, “We teach them about specifications, circulation within the room, traffic patterns. We teach them that space must be functional, and designers must think about how people move in it. We challenge them to create opportunities for social interaction and privacy. It does not make a difference how beautiful something is; If it doesn’t function, it’s not a good design.” Instructor Ana Penabla was particularly impressed by the circular entranceway created by student Katelyn Liao in her floor plan because it allowed flow into every room of the apartment. Instructor Pam Giolito agreed, “That radial plan is strong and beautifully done.” Another stand out floor plan was executed by Carrie Finfrock, who had a young Vogue reporter with a passion for Art Deco design in mind when she developed her design. Barbara Weinreich pointed to a specific detail of Finfrock’s floor plan. “I see you have a curved wall in the office.” Weinreich said.” Very nice. That curved bookshelf makes the space softer and makes the spaces leftover more interesting.”
Carrie Finfrock had a young Vogue reporter with a passion for Art Deco design in mind when she developed her design.
Francisco de Leon gives the students a workshop in pattern-making as part of the course. The reason, says Kossar, is that “Pattern making is a simple way to teach the relationship between positive and negative space, and this gives the students the opportunity to create something entirely original that can be used in their apartment designs.” This year, students went on a virtual tour of the fabric showroom Pollack to reinforce their understanding of patterns. Kossar particularly loved student John Pessara’s soft geometric pattern in a neutral tone (not to mention the coffered ceilings and sliding barn doors John envisioned for his space!). Other instructors commented on the cheerfulness of Greta Bindley’s graphic dandelion pattern, and the vivid watercolor pattern painted by Isa Grznar for her imagined client, a young woman living in NYC, homesick for Hawaii.
Instructor Don Kossar was impressed by John Pessara’s soft geometric pattern in a neutral tone (in the center of image) as well as the coffered ceilings and sliding barn doors John envisioned for his space.
The selection of furniture, finishes, textiles, and fixtures is integral to interior design. Kossar likes to take students straight to showrooms so they can develop their taste and understand how things are made. This year, the showrooms came to the students. There were guided virtual tours of luxury furniture and lighting fixture maker Ralph Pucci, tile and mosaic art maker Sicis, and OLED Works, where students learned about cutting edge, ultra-thin LED lighting.
Perhaps the essential thing students get from the Summer Pre-College program is a realistic sense of what interior design entails. Well-known designer Jamie Drake, co-principal of Drake/Anderson, visited virtually to talk to the students about the business of design. The students also did a virtual visit to the commercial design firm Cook Fox to learn about designing for corporate, institutional, and government clients. “Our students come to understand that interior design is not just decorating,” says Kossar. “Enhancing the health, safety, and wellbeing of the people who will use the space takes the front seat in interior design.”
Said student Molly Wasserman, “I never thought about doors or lights until I took this course. It makes you notice and appreciate things in a way you never did before.” Adds student Ariana Ravitz, “I really liked this program. I knew I kind of liked design from what I saw on TV but I was not sure whether it was something I would be good at. This gave me the chance to do it and get feedback.”
Summer Pre-College went so well online, and the final projects were so strong, that NYSID is considering offering the course in the fall.
If you’re interested in exploring the practice of interior design, check out various options here.