Commencement 2018
On May 24, acclaimed interior designer Juan Montoya, Principal of his eponymous design firm, addressed the graduating class at the New York School of Interior Design’s 2018 Commencement Ceremony.
Montoya, a member of the Interior Design Hall of Fame and a prolific residential and contract designer known for his originality and adaptability, said, “The best advice I can give you is to listen; listen to what your clients say about the function of the space.” He urged the graduates to hold fast to their personal aesthetics and values. “Be true to yourself in everything you say and do. . .” he said. “Don’t design with intent to appeal to advertising. Design because you want your contributions to the design community to be significant and important.”
Ellen Kravet, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at New York School of Interior Design, welcomed friends and families of graduates, followed by NYSID President David Sprouls and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean Dr. Ellen Fisher. After working hard through their college careers, our students took a victory march across the stage of the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts to receive their diplomas. NYSID awarded degrees to 119 graduates in 2018: 59 Masters of Fine Arts, 14 Masters of Professional Studies, 27 Bachelors of Fine Arts, and 27 Associates of Applied Science.
As part of the ceremony, President Sprouls presented Juan Montoya and Gil Schafer, Principal of G. P. Schafer Architects, with Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degrees from the New York School of Interior Design.
David Sprouls, president of the New York School of Interior Design, welcomes readers to the Summer 2023 issue of Atelier.
The New York School of Interior Design’s one-year, post-professional Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design (MPSL) has a 100 percent employment rate for graduates within 6 months of the program’s completion, and has for years…. MPSL Program Director Shaun Fillion, LC, CLCP, Educator IALD, as well as alumni Estefania Diaz ’15 (MPSL) / ’16 (MPSS), Lighting Designer at Ventresca Lighting Designers; Iliana Filotheidi ’19 (MPSL), Senior Lighting Designer at HLB Lighting Design; and Diogo Coelho ’18 (MPSL), Lighting Product Manager at Amerlux, share their insights.
NYSID alum Robert Kaner ’02 (AAS) designed this interior for a couple who had multiple residences and would be spending only part of their time in New York.
2022-23 has been a banner academic year for NYSID students in regard to winning industry-wide competitions.
Interior designers’ relationships with artisans are extremely valuable. Designers and master craftspeople become partners in making, collaborating around every detail to turn their customers’ dreams into reality. Perhaps there’s no one better suited to teach what’s behind this process than Harry Heissmann, the owner of Harry Heissmann Inc. and the instructor of NYSID’s quartet of courses called “Advanced Trade Techniques,” which teach students high-level designing in Custom Upholstery (I), Custom Flooring (II), Custom Wall Treatments (III), and Custom Cabinetry (IV). Heissmann shares his thoughts with Atelier Managing Editor Jennifer Dorr here.
NYSID’s Alumni Council is led by two dynamic designers: President Marie Aiello ’04 (AAS) and Vice-President Krista Gurevich ’16 (MFA1). When alumna Leslie Robinson ’21 (MFA1) caught up with the pair, they were excited to discuss the new Alumni Council Scholarship, which was first awarded at Gala 2023.
“As our leadership team focused on goals for the firm’s next 20 years, we recognized the significance of supporting the academic foundations of our industry. What is a better investment than the continuing education of our future industry leaders?”
NYSID alumna Maria Spears left the NYSID Board of Trustees at the end of 2022, after a six-year tenure, in order to focus on family and traveling the world with her beloved husband, William. From the time she joined the board in May 2016, Spears was a visionary and generous benefactor of the College. Says NYSID president David Sprouls, “If you know Maria, you understand that her energy, vibrance, and enthusiasm are infectious. She’s had a tremendous impact on NYSID’s students in more ways than one.”
On Tuesday, April 11, the New York School of Interior Design held its “Gala 2023” in a private club in New York City, securing more than $600,000 for scholarships. NYSID Trustee Alexa Hampton, emceed, lending both humor and insight to the evening.
On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the New York School of Interior Design honored the class of 2023 with a graduation ceremony at 92Y’s Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York City. One hundred sixteen interior designers obtained their degrees after much hard work and tenacity. Eighty-five graduates walked the stage.