Meet the Class of 2026

Sofia Grytsenko Sofia Grytsenko is a User Experience Designer who was born and raised in New Jersey before moving to Rochester, New York for an undergraduate degree. They graduated summa cum laude with a Human-Centered Computing Major with Web De

Sofia Grytsenko

Sofia Grytsenko is a User Experience Designer who was born and raised in New Jersey before moving to Rochester, New York for an undergraduate degree. They graduated summa cum laude with a Human-Centered Computing Major with Web Development and Psychology Minor from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). After graduation, Sofia interned at QuidelOrtho as a User Experience Design Intern and found a new appreciation for medical and healthcare systems. This led to their position as a Quality Assurance Analyst at Continual Care Solutions, an application that aids nonprofits in all of their processes. After being involved with the Lucky Flea this year, Sofia is excited to pivot towards fashion and music, and to provide creative solutions to complex problems.

Benjamin (Ben) Hone Ben was raised in New Jersey by two architects who instilled in him a deep passion for design. In high school, he attended a semester abroad at The Island School in The Bahamas, where he expanded his love and appreciation for

Benjamin (Ben) Hone

Ben was raised in New Jersey by two architects who instilled in him a deep passion for design. In high school, he attended a semester abroad at The Island School in The Bahamas, where he expanded his love and appreciation for the ocean. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Miami. Ben’s professional background is in brand marketing strategy. While working at Universal McCann, he consulted Fortune 500 clients on how consumers adopt emerging technology. Ben has volunteered for environmental non-profits focused on tech, education, communications, and policy. Ben is eager to develop his design skills through the MFA Products of Design program with the goal of creating for the post-petroleum economy. Ben is especially interested in exploring biomimicry, resiliency, and sustainable materials.

Danli (Rida) Zeng Rida is a multidisciplinary designer who earned her Bachelor's Degree in Classical Studies from the University of Chicago. Her educational and work experience spans humanities, business strategy, and the arts, giving her a uniqu

Danli (Rida) Zeng

Rida is a multidisciplinary designer who earned her Bachelor's Degree in Classical Studies from the University of Chicago. Her educational and work experience spans humanities, business strategy, and the arts, giving her a unique perspective on design. Rida contributed to a food brand incubation project at DiDi R-Lab, and worked as an analyst assessing market entry opportunities at OneDegree. Her chronic health condition and a long-held interest in drawing have shaped her empathetic approach to design and innovative thinking. Recently, she has been volunteering as a user researcher for NGOs supporting vulnerable communities. At PoD, Rida aims to enhance her multidisciplinary knowledge, blend creative innovation with business practicality, and create designs that are both rooted in and transformative for their ecosystems.

Qi Guan Qi Guan is from Beijing. She came to the United States in 2020 for her studies, achieving her BFA in Industrial Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology, while minoring in Japanese. Her learning experience covers a wide range of de

Qi Guan

Qi Guan is from Beijing. She came to the United States in 2020 for her studies, achieving her BFA in Industrial Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology, while minoring in Japanese. Her learning experience covers a wide range of design fields, including Biodesign, glass and jewelry design, and graphic and visual design. These rich practical experiences have provided her with diverse inspirations for her creations and broadened her design thinking. Qi Guan has been committed to continuously breaking beyond herself by collaborating with designers from different fields. During her studies at PoD, she hopes to delve into everyday products, bringing with her a strong focus on interactivity to promote innovation and development in the field of design.

Sophia Haase Sophia Haase is a multimedia artist and designer from Rochester, New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree studying Digital Media and Fine Art with a minor in Art History at Marist College. Sophia's creative explorations these past

Sophia Haase

Sophia Haase is a multimedia artist and designer from Rochester, New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree studying Digital Media and Fine Art with a minor in Art History at Marist College. Sophia's creative explorations these past four years have spanned numerous disciplines including printmaking, sculpture, bookbinding, and graphic design. She is excited to add to her creative repertoire as well as develop fluency across various disciplines of design at PoD. Sophia spent much of her time as an undergraduate student working as an assistant at the Steel Plant Art Gallery in Poughkeepsie, New York. Here she helped install various art pieces and was in charge of lighting monthly exhibitions which further cemented her love of working with her hands. Eager to expand her horizons, Sophia is excited for this opportunity to create new meaningful designs.

Sige Zheng Sige Zheng is a product/UX designer in New York City. Originally from China, she earned her bachelor’s degree at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, studying math and photography. Before joining the MFA Products of Design program, Sige

Sige Zheng

Sige Zheng is a product/UX designer in New York City. Originally from China, she earned her bachelor’s degree at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, studying math and photography. Before joining the MFA Products of Design program, Sige worked as a UX designer for CVS Health, and at an education startup using design and generative AI to bring students more affordable access to resources throughout their academic journey. Having collaborated in both large and small teams to bring digital products to life, Sige is now looking to expand her design languages while exploring innovative solutions to make technology more accessible. She's excited to dive into material innovation and create tangible interactions in the AI, mixed reality, and the medical field.

Monty Preston Monty is a multimedia designer and curator living in Brooklyn. She was raised in Toronto and graduated summa cum laude with a BASc in Linguistics and Spanish from University of Toronto. Monty worked at industry-disrupting startups i

Monty Preston

Monty is a multimedia designer and curator living in Brooklyn. She was raised in Toronto and graduated summa cum laude with a BASc in Linguistics and Spanish from University of Toronto. Monty worked at industry-disrupting startups including The RealReal in San Francisco, BeautyPie in London, and Saatchi Art in Los Angeles — where she led Curation and Art Advisory under Rebecca Wilson. In 2022, she founded a creative production consultancy in the web3 space, leading initiatives including the launch of Ledger’s digital art programs in Paris. She serves as the Editor in Chief of the Boys Club Zine and designs crypto-forward fashion accessories. At PoD, she’s eager to enlist her interests in emerging technology and sustainable innovation to develop living products that address the challenges of our transforming world.

Shiyu (Lynn) Zhang Shiyu (Lynn) Zhang is from Beijing, China, with an undergraduate animation degree from California College of the Arts. Before joining PoD, Lynn worked as a part-time pet taxidermist and toy prototype developer in Shanghai. Thes

Shiyu (Lynn) Zhang

Shiyu (Lynn) Zhang is from Beijing, China, with an undergraduate animation degree from California College of the Arts. Before joining PoD, Lynn worked as a part-time pet taxidermist and toy prototype developer in Shanghai. These roles allowed Lynn to explore the intersection of art, science, and imagination, breathing new life into the inanimate and giving form to the fantastical. Lynn's creative philosophy is rooted in a fascination with transformation: to make the dead things alive, to bring the unreal into real life, and to render the ephemeral eternal. In their artistic journey, Lynn strives to blur the lines between the tangible and intangible, creating works that challenge perceptions and endure beyond the fleeting moment. Lynn sees PoD as an exceptional platform for personal and professional growth, innovation, and collaboration.

Lauren Palazzi Lauren Palazzi was born in Toronto, Canada, and graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Business Sustainability. Prior to joining PoD, she worked as a Financial Analyst a

Lauren Palazzi

Lauren Palazzi was born in Toronto, Canada, and graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Business Sustainability. Prior to joining PoD, she worked as a Financial Analyst and Marketing Coordinator at Armour Cybersecurity. Outside of work, Lauren volunteers at galleries, helping design children's camps and assisting young artists. Driven by a lifelong passion for crafting and building, she's eager to explore formal design education at SVA. Lauren is particularly interested in the intersection of nature and human-centered design, focusing on creating products and spaces that benefit both the environment and its inhabitants. At the MFA Products of Design program, she looks forward to combining her business background with sustainable design practices.

Haosen Zhang Haosen Zhang is from Shanxi, China, and graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree Bachelors of Aerospace Engineering. During his studies, Haosen became interested in design through an Aerospace Design and Manufacturin

Haosen Zhang

Haosen Zhang is from Shanxi, China, and graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree Bachelors of Aerospace Engineering. During his studies, Haosen became interested in design through an Aerospace Design and Manufacturing class, which offered him the opportunity to access a more creative side of himself in designing experimental airplane parts. Haosen is an enthusiastic sketch artist and often integrated these skills, as well as 3D modeling, into his coursework. Now, with a strong foundational background in technical engineering, Haosen is excited to pursue design and express himself more freely through his work. At PoD, he looks forward to broadening his design skillset and expanding his perspectives by collaborating with teachers and students from different backgrounds.

Gudrun Tholl Torfadottir Gudrun was born and raised in Iceland. Ever since she was a kid she has been designing imaginary robots and finding creative solutions to problems. Inspired by the world of Iron Man, Gudrun earned her Bachelor of Science

Gudrun Tholl Torfadottir

Gudrun was born and raised in Iceland. Ever since she was a kid she has been designing imaginary robots and finding creative solutions to problems. Inspired by the world of Iron Man, Gudrun earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering at Reykjavik University in Iceland. During her studies, she developed a strong affinity for design and explored ideas in home automation as well as service-oriented products. A few of her projects include an automated curtain, and a spray device for grocers that applies algae-based solutions onto produce—offering a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic packaging. After graduation, she worked in Project Management at Williams & Halls pharmaceutical company. Gudrun is excited to join PoD and hopes her designs will positively impact the world.

Qianyue Zhou Qianyue Zhou is from Zhejiang, China. She completed her undergraduate studies at Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, majoring in Strategic Design and Innovation. In 2018, Qianyue earned a spot at the Strategic Design and Innovation St

Qianyue Zhou

Qianyue Zhou is from Zhejiang, China. She completed her undergraduate studies at Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, majoring in Strategic Design and Innovation. In 2018, Qianyue earned a spot at the Strategic Design and Innovation Studio---a collaboration between Apple design guru Hartmut Esslinger and the DeTao Academy--- where she collaborated with industry leaders. Qianyue interned at Kohler where she received valuable mentorship in product design. She also worked as an industrial designer at a machinery company in Zhejiang, and in brand communication and social media management, incorporating new perspectives into her consideration of design. Qianyue's work has been recognized with awards including the Shanghai Design Annual 100+, and 3rd Prize in the China Brand Design Competition for Intangible Heritage. At PoD she seeks to refine her skills, gain practical experience, and contribute to innovative projects.

Siyin (Cha Cha) Peng Siyin (Cha Cha) Peng is from Hangzhou, China, and attended Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang. Inspired by an industrial design thesis show she saw at China Academy of Arts, Cha Cha decided to pursue furniture design, ea

Siyin (Cha Cha) Peng

Siyin (Cha Cha) Peng is from Hangzhou, China, and attended Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang. Inspired by an industrial design thesis show she saw at China Academy of Arts, Cha Cha decided to pursue furniture design, earning her BFA in Industrial Design at the Cleveland Institute of Art, with an emphasis in Drawing. During her studies, she became interested in materials testing, and sculpture. After graduation, she worked for her family's retail business, providing graphic and web design support. Through this role, she gained exposure to user psychology and business, which she's excited to explore further at PoD. During her time at SVA, Cha Cha is eager to explore the intersection of her interests and experience, rethink her design approach, and create connections offered by her unique generalist background.

Christiana (Ana) Aghjayan Christiana is a first-generation American and a first-generation student from New Jersey. Growing up surrounded by the hustle and bustle of her family’s jewelry manufacturing business, Christiana developed a deep interes

Christiana (Ana) Aghjayan

Christiana is a first-generation American and a first-generation student from New Jersey. Growing up surrounded by the hustle and bustle of her family’s jewelry manufacturing business, Christiana developed a deep interest in the mechanics of the production process. Her broad curiosity and appetite for learning led her to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Florida International University, as well as User Experience Design at General Assembly. Before joining PoD, she spent two years at Berlin Rosen as an Account Coordinator for digital entertainment and gaming companies, handling press releases, campaign strategy and research, and bringing clients’ visions to life through vivid campaigns. A passion for storytelling, innovation, and accessibility is truly what drives her.

Daniella (Carmel) Berg Carmel De Berg is an artist and designer from New Jersey, working to reconnect people with the materiality of the objects they use, and the context of the art/media they consume. She has spent the past decade designing ligh

Daniella (Carmel) Berg

Carmel De Berg is an artist and designer from New Jersey, working to reconnect people with the materiality of the objects they use, and the context of the art/media they consume. She has spent the past decade designing lighting for films and photography, with projects ranging from album covers, and national fashion campaigns, to films that have premiered at Tribeca Film Festival and SXSW. Her personal work in experimental film focuses on pieces that force the viewer to engage not just with the subject matter of the piece, but with the medium itself. She is most interested in how design can immediately influence the conditions of someone’s life, and how what is considered to be accessible design can be reimagined.

Tong Zhao Tong Zhao was born and raised in Beijing, China, and graduated from the Beijing Institute of Printing with a Bachelor's Degree in Digital Media Design. While achieving her undergraduate degree, Tong worked at a design firm in Beijing se

Tong Zhao

Tong Zhao was born and raised in Beijing, China, and graduated from the Beijing Institute of Printing with a Bachelor's Degree in Digital Media Design. While achieving her undergraduate degree, Tong worked at a design firm in Beijing serving a roster of clients including Lenovo, JNBJ, and Gatto-yoga. This experience opened her eyes to the collisions of design, life, and business. After graduating, Tong started her own design studio, offering design services to a range of clientele, including product appearance design and packaging design for a Chinese medical company, and packaging design for a food brand. She hopes that her work will create lasting change, generate new models of business, and integrate organically into the lives of her users.

Ta-Shea Brown Tashea is a New York-based multidisciplinary designer originally from Kingston, Jamaica. After receiving her BFA from The Cooper Union, she began her professional career at Champions Design in NY, and shortly after began teaching de

Ta-Shea Brown

Tashea is a New York-based multidisciplinary designer originally from Kingston, Jamaica. After receiving her BFA from The Cooper Union, she began her professional career at Champions Design in NY, and shortly after began teaching design at the Lower Eastside Girls Club. Each of these experiences gave life an entirely new meaning: it was during that time that Tashea developed a passion for serving people, making a change, and leaving a lasting impact. Before joining the MFA Products of Design program, Tashea’s focus was primarily on brand development, aiding organizations including Monkey Paw Productions and Color Of Change in crafting effective strategies and designs for social justice initiatives, fundraising, and membership growth.

Mo (Eva) Rongfengyan Eva Mo grew up in Beijing and graduated from Alfred University in 2024 with a BFA in Print Art. During her four years of study, Eva explored sculpture, graphic design, and sound art, realizing the importance of integrated des

Mo (Eva) Rongfengyan

Eva Mo grew up in Beijing and graduated from Alfred University in 2024 with a BFA in Print Art. During her four years of study, Eva explored sculpture, graphic design, and sound art, realizing the importance of integrated design, and began to teach herself product design. Eva earned a Marketing Internship at China Guardian Auctions, where she was exposed to co-branded product sales in the art auction industry. It was during this internship that her interest in assisting special populations began to take shape. Eva is excited to join PoD, where she hopes to further her specialized design skills and develop products centered around underserved communities. She lives in New York with her black cat, Toutou.

Qian (Jessie) Wang Qian Wang (Jessie) is from Beijing, China. Before joining PoD, she received her BFA in Interior Design at SVA. Qian's works have been exhibited at NYCxDESIGN, spanning installation design to hotel design. Her work has earned a

Qian (Jessie) Wang

Qian Wang (Jessie) is from Beijing, China. Before joining PoD, she received her BFA in Interior Design at SVA. Qian's works have been exhibited at NYCxDESIGN, spanning installation design to hotel design. Her work has earned a special mention in the Architizer A+ Awards, a feature by INTERIOR DESIGN Magazine, and a showcase at the New York Eleven Plus (NY11+) Exhibition. Her products have been exhibited at The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Museum, and her furniture designs were recognized at the SARA NY Design Awards. She describes her work as fun-loving, with a special emphasis on her obsession with ketchup; her thesis project was a ketchup-themed food landmark which earned the Neville Lewis Memorial Award Scholarship. She aspires to spread joy and happiness to everyone through her work.