Department Blog

Department news, events, and snapshots of student life at SVA in New York City.

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Plant Blindness: Communicating with Plants Through the BioSense
Student Projects, Thesis Products of Design Student Projects, Thesis Products of Design

Plant Blindness: Communicating with Plants Through the BioSense

In their daily lives, many people tend to invest time, energy, and attention towards caring for animals, yet overlook the emotional importance of plants. Although plants provide raw materials for food, clothing, shelter, and medicine, people often do not lavish the same affection that they do on animals. As a recent example, in 2019, when forest fires tore through Australia, and rainforest fires engulfed the Brazilian Amazon, many people were more concerned with how many animals were dying, rather than considering the destruction of plants. If people continue to overlook the crucial role that plants play in their lives and in their societies, many plants will go extinct—and humans, unable to obtain the species that they need, will eventually pay a terrible price. To counteract this, Yue Leng’s thesis aims to help urban millennial dwellers connect to nature before it’s too late. By exploring how design can help people to recognize and understand plant blindness in their daily lives, Yue proposes new biological pathways of communication between humans and nature.

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Antya Waegemann's Redesigned Rape Kit Wins Fast Company's Worldchanging Awards
News, Student Projects Allan Chochinov News, Student Projects Allan Chochinov

Antya Waegemann's Redesigned Rape Kit Wins Fast Company's Worldchanging Awards

We’ve shared a lot of great news about alumnus Antya Waegemann’s success with her thesis project, WHEN NO ONE BELIEVES YOU: Redesigning the Rape Kit and Responses to Sexual Assault. But just this morning, it was announced that her RN Advocate Kit has won the Student Category of this year’s annual Fast Company’s 2020 World Changing Ideas Awards!

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Announcing 7NTH: MFA Products of Design Thesis Presentations are May 22nd!
Events, News Allan Chochinov Events, News Allan Chochinov

Announcing 7NTH: MFA Products of Design Thesis Presentations are May 22nd!

We invite you to attend the Masters Thesis showcase presentations of the 2019 graduating class of the MFA in Products of Design program on Tuesday, May 14th at the SVA Theatre from 11am - 5:30pm. Twenty graduating masters students will each present their year-long thesis work, comprised of research, artifacts, services, experiences, and platforms.

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Guest Lecture: Sally Rumble
Lectures Products of Design Lectures Products of Design

Guest Lecture: Sally Rumble

Last month, MFA Products of Design was proud to host Sally Rumble, the fearless community building specialist, designer, and creative activist. Sally shared her personal journey of becoming a dedicated civil rights activist and using the power of design to share her message.

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Photos from our 2020 Design:Match Job Fair!
Events Allan Chochinov Events Allan Chochinov

Photos from our 2020 Design:Match Job Fair!

On Friday, February 21st, the MFA Products of Design department held its sixth annual Design:Match Job Fair event, inviting global and local firms and organizations to meet with students, share their work, and discuss employment, funding, and entrepreneurship. Each of the students interviewed with 10 of these companies over the course of the afternoon, and the event was then followed by a reception where attendees could meet with each other! Below is a list of this year's participants, along with some photos of the event!

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