New York, New York – August 16, 2018 – The New York School of Interior Design is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the 2018 International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) Educational Foundation Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs. These funds will support the purchase of Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets.

Through the grant, NYSID will introduce new VR technology into the academic curriculum – incorporating the technology as a design tool into more studio courses as it develops. Currently, the College’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design program has taken lead in creating an elective course that will explore the applicability of VR in Interior Design.

“It was my pleasure to work on the IFDA grant application with the hope that additional funds will help boost interest in this new technology and introduce our students to current design hardware and software that are being used in the design industry,” said Ethan Lu, Faculty Member at the New York School of Interior Design. 

Students will wear Oculus Rift VR headsets (hardware) to explore freehand sketching in a virtual environment through Google’s Tilt Brush (software).  They will also be able to use the Oculus Rift VR headsets (hardware) in conjunction with IrisVR (software) or Enscape (software) in order to create three-dimensional interior spaces that can be experienced in real-time through an immersive environment. 

“Select students in the NYSID MPS in Sustainable Interior Environments program have already started to explore alternative ways to showcase their interior design projects through Revit software,” said Lu.  “These students have been creating 360-degree panoramic views that can be supported by VR headsets.”

The IFDA awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process.

About New York School of Interior Design
New York School of Interior Design is a private, nonprofit college focused exclusively on interior design. The college offers certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs for students at all stages of their careers—whether they’re just becoming familiar with the discipline, considering a career change, or looking to deepen knowledge in a particular area. Consistently ranked one of the top interior design programs in the United States, students study both residential and commercial interior design, some with specialties in sustainable design, lighting, and healthcare interiors. NYSID students enjoy a small class size and sharp focus, a great deal of personal attention from dedicated faculty, and they go on to practice at the highest levels of the profession. To learn more, visit NYSID.edu.

About International Furnishings and Design Association
The International Furnishings and Design Association's (IFDA) mission is inspiring collaboration within the furnishings and design industry to support its people, their products and services.

# # #