New York, NY - December 15, 2009 - The Design Talk/ Media Lounge Space for Design Miami/2009 designed by New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) students Sarah Muchow (BFA 2010), Daniel Park (BFA 2010), and Stefan Steil (MFA 2010) was revealed to the international press on December 1 at the event's opening press conference. Design Miami/, the global forum that biannually brings together influential designers, design dealers, collectors, curators, and critics from around the world, selected NYSID to be the first educational institution to contribute to the interior layout of one of its venues since the design show debuted in December 2005. (right, NYSID President Christopher Cyphers with student designers Stefan Steil, Sarah Muchow and Daniel Park on the stage of the Media Lounge)

“As ever Design Miami/ strives to collaborate with some of most interesting and influential institutions throughout the world,” said Ambra Medda, the organization’s co-founder and director. “We decided to collaborate with the students at NYSID as we had never explored working with interior designers. We thought this would be a great way to support emerging talent and demonstrate how we stand to support and give an opportunity to a future generation of designers. NYSID was a wonderful partner to have and the students demonstrated great vision and quality.”

The students' design concept, which explored the changing notions of luxury in a time of recession, integrated high-end furniture provided by Capellini and Poltrona Frau and a sumptuous beaded wall covering supplied by Maya Romanoff with hand-made decorative accents crafted from commonly available hardware and secondhand goods. Benjamin Moore donated paint for the installation. NYSID professors Rene Estacio and Debra Bryant served as faculty advisors to the design team and lighting professor JohnKatimaris created a chandelier made from utilitarian clamp lights based on the students' design. (below left, Media Lounge)

According to NYSID president Christopher Cyphers, “The opportunity for our students to participate in one of the most important—if not the most important—design events in the US was a tremendous honor. The student design team had the chance to showcase its talent and professionalism before an international audience of designers, critics and collectors.”

Design Miami/ is partnered with Art Basel Miami Beach, the most important art show in the United States and sister event of Switzerland’s world renowned Art Basel, held every June. Highlights from this year’s Design Miami/ included a commissioned project from the Designer of the Year, Marten Baas, and a series of Design Talks and Design Performances that featured top designers and luminaries from the worlds of interiors, fashion, and architecture. The show included 15 design galleries, as well as VIP lounges from HSBC Private Bank, Audi, and Swarovski Crystal Palace.

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Founded in 1916, the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) is New York’s only private, not-for-profit college devoted exclusively to interior design education and that of related disciplines. NYSID’s guiding principle is that the interior environment is a fundamental element of human welfare and the college is committed to actively improving through design the quality of life for all segments of humanity. This ideal is put into practice by a dedicated faculty of well-known designers, architects, art historians, and authorities in the field who guide a diverse student body of over 750 full- and part-time students.

NYSID offers certificate, undergraduate and graduate programs in the field of interior design, design history and theory, and sustainable design. The college is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and NYSID’s BFA is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).