Meet the Class of 2027

Manya Swick Manya is a multidisciplinary designer with a background in the sciences, drawn to design that explores the intersections of expression and functionality. She grew up in a small Connecticut town, halfway between New York City and Bosto

Manya Swick

Manya is a multidisciplinary designer with a background in the sciences, drawn to design that explores the intersections of expression and functionality. She grew up in a small Connecticut town, halfway between New York City and Boston, and studied biology at Davidson College, where she also competed on the Division I cross country and track teams. Seeking to connect her scientific background with her artistic instincts, she later attended design school in Atlanta before moving to Brooklyn to begin her professional career. Before joining MFA Products of Design, Manya focused primarily on graphic design, working across a range of environments and industries. Most recently, she worked at Mother Design and in-house at startups including Away and Sakara. Manya approaches her practice with curiosity and open-mindedness, and is exploring what it means to cultivate quietness and intentionality in an increasingly loud and fast-paced world.

Lauren Wedderburn Lauren is a designer and artist of Jamaican ancestry, born and raised in New York. She works across digital design, immersive installations, and production design, with a focus on world-building, collective care, and portals for

Lauren Wedderburn

Lauren is a designer and artist of Jamaican ancestry, born and raised in New York. She works across digital design, immersive installations, and production design, with a focus on world-building, collective care, and portals for connection. After earning her BA in Computer Science and Interaction Design from George Washington University, she interned with Code and Theory and went on to work as a product designer for startups in New York. Since then, she has designed environments such as A Third Place, a playscape centered on rest and ritual, and served as a production designer on commercial projects, short films, and music videos. Guided by the belief that design is most powerful when it nurtures community, Lauren approaches design as a tool for liberation. At MFA Products of Design, she strives to refine the language around her work and explore different approaches to making tangible impact.

Tristan Murff Tristan is a multidisciplinary designer whose work moves between product, interiors, and brand systems. Raised abroad between China and Europe and educated in the Netherlands (BSc, International Business), Tristan has worked across

Tristan Murff

Tristan is a multidisciplinary designer whose work moves between product, interiors, and brand systems. Raised abroad between China and Europe and educated in the Netherlands (BSc, International Business), Tristan has worked across tech, education, and the arts—holding design roles at Mercedes-Benz, tech startups, and later serving as Brand Director for historian Yuval Noah Harari. In New York, he co-founded Graine Studio, where recent projects explore the intersection of furniture, space, and identity. His practice emphasizes form making, ritual, and human experience—creating objects and spaces that invite participation rather than demand attention. Featured in both international and local outlets, Tristan joins MFA Products of Design with the aim of rethinking design, expanding his fabrication vocabulary, and exploring how products and environments can scale thoughtfully from one-off pieces to systems.

Mallika Gauri Rao Mallika is a multidisciplinary designer from India. She earned her Bachelor of Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi, majoring in Fashion & Lifestyle Accessories and minoring in Space, Display & P

Mallika Gauri Rao

Mallika is a multidisciplinary designer from India. She earned her Bachelor of Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi, majoring in Fashion & Lifestyle Accessories and minoring in Space, Display & Presentation Design. Growing up in different parts of India, Mallika brings a rich cultural perspective to her work and a strong foundation in user-centered design practices, including packaging, branding, social innovation, and visual communication. She previously worked as a furniture designer at Wriver, a luxury furniture company in India, where all of her designs were patented. Her work was also recognized internationally with the SIT Design Award in 2025. With a deep appreciation for the tangibility of design, Mallika approaches each project as a personal expression and an opportunity to refine her evolving design sensibility.

Batu Alpas Batu is a designer and animator from Ankara, Turkey. Raised on Disney, Pixar, and the animated films of the 1980s and 1990s, he developed an early fascination with the power of music and image to shape emotion and story. He earned his

Batu Alpas

Batu is a designer and animator from Ankara, Turkey. Raised on Disney, Pixar, and the animated films of the 1980s and 1990s, he developed an early fascination with the power of music and image to shape emotion and story. He earned his BFA in Animation from California College of the Arts, where his films were featured in international and local festivals and received multiple awards through his collective, +1 Studios. Batu collaborates with rappers and DJs from Turkey on music videos, concert visuals, and immersive live experiences, blending motion design with sound. Beyond animation, he continues to develop thwirteen, a brand exploring objects, furniture, clothing, and environments. Across mediums, Batu approaches his work as a storyteller, creating art that connects people and invites shared meaning.

Jisu Kim Jisu is a designer and ceramic artist from Seoul, South Korea. She studied Ceramics and Spatial Design at Seoul National University, exploring ways to blend craft, material experimentation, and spatial projects. Growing up immersed in Ko

Jisu Kim

Jisu is a designer and ceramic artist from Seoul, South Korea. She studied Ceramics and Spatial Design at Seoul National University, exploring ways to blend craft, material experimentation, and spatial projects. Growing up immersed in Korea’s rich cultural heritage, she is fascinated by how traditional practices and materials can be renewed and reinterpreted for contemporary life. Her work often bridges heritage and modernity—transforming traditional materials into architectural components or creating objects that connect the familiar with the contemporary. Jisu has collaborated with cultural institutions and independent studios, bringing her ideas into both physical and digital spaces. At MFA Products of Design, she is expanding her practice by integrating storytelling, systems thinking, and user-centered approaches to shape meaningful objects and experiences.

Rhea Punjabi Rhea is a designer exploring the intersections of fashion, technology, and sustainability. Born in Uganda and raised across Dubai, China, and Singapore, she brings a global perspective shaped by her multicultural upbringing and India

Rhea Punjabi

Rhea is a designer exploring the intersections of fashion, technology, and sustainability. Born in Uganda and raised across Dubai, China, and Singapore, she brings a global perspective shaped by her multicultural upbringing and Indian heritage. She earned her degree in Fashion Business Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, with minors in Communication Studies and Ethics as well as Sustainability and Communication Studies. Rhea has worked in product development within the fashion industry and at a pop art gallery in Dubai. Through the MFA Products of Design program, she hopes to expand her design fluency and bring her ideas to life, embracing design as a continual process of discovery and possibility.

Junming (Jimmy) Pu Jimmy is an industrial designer from Shanghai, China. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute, where he was recognized on the President’s List for academic excellence. Before joining the MFA Pr

Junming (Jimmy) Pu

Jimmy is an industrial designer from Shanghai, China. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute, where he was recognized on the President’s List for academic excellence. Before joining the MFA Products of Design program, he worked across sectors—from product strategy at Bayer China to experience design at a Michelin-starred restaurant—exploring how design can enhance everyday interactions. His recent projects include developing educational climate toys and mobile display carts for New York City schools as part of the Climate Stories initiative. Guided by the belief that material innovation drives design innovation, Jimmy aims to reshape systems through objects that engage both emotionally and sustainably.

Jiayi (Jay) Wang Jay is an illustrator and designer originally from China. She graduated with honors from Parsons School of Design in New York with a BFA in Integrated Design. Before joining MFA Products of Design, she worked as a product designe

Jiayi (Jay) Wang

Jay is an illustrator and designer originally from China. She graduated with honors from Parsons School of Design in New York with a BFA in Integrated Design. Before joining MFA Products of Design, she worked as a product designer at CHEECASE, developing luggage illustrations, backpack colorways, and bilingual promotional materials. Her practice balances visual storytelling with functional usability, with a particular focus on illustrated merchandise and stationery. She creates playful, purposeful visuals—turning paper goods, stickers, and packaging into small moments of joy. Jay approaches design not only as a way to solve problems but also as a means of bringing delight to everyday routines.

Yiran Lin Yiran is a product designer from Jiangxi, China. She graduated with honors from Tianjin Polytechnic University in Product Design. Her work often explores ecology and sustainability, from using biodegradable materials in disaster relief

Yiran Lin

Yiran is a product designer from Jiangxi, China. She graduated with honors from Tianjin Polytechnic University in Product Design. Her work often explores ecology and sustainability, from using biodegradable materials in disaster relief to designing olfactory interventions for emotional eating. Travel, photography, and fashion also inspire her, as she enjoys observing how aesthetics connect to everyday life. At MFA Products of Design, Yiran seeks to refine her design methods and integrate her diverse interests, combining user-centered thinking with her aesthetic sensibility to create designs that are both meaningful and engaging.

Josh Kotel Josh is a product designer and woodworker. He studied psychology at the University of Leeds, England, and graduated from Purchase College in New York City. Josh has experience working as an audio engineer, horticulturist, and woodworke

Josh Kotel

Josh is a product designer and woodworker. He studied psychology at the University of Leeds, England, and graduated from Purchase College in New York City. Josh has experience working as an audio engineer, horticulturist, and woodworker, and in 2018 launched unikkatt, designing and crafting wood-based pet products in Brooklyn. Drawn to the lifecycle, story, and mechanics of objects, Josh explores how aesthetics, emotion, and human behavior shape our relationships with things. At MFA Products of Design, he is developing new skills and mediums to advance his practice as a designer and maker.

Wini Jeng Wini is a designer working at the intersection of technology and art. Born in Chicago and raised in Taiwan, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Network System Engineering, followed by a degree in 3D and VFX from the S

Wini Jeng

Wini is a designer working at the intersection of technology and art. Born in Chicago and raised in Taiwan, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Network System Engineering, followed by a degree in 3D and VFX from the School of Visual Arts. This combination of technical and creative training shapes her belief that design is a guiding principle in all things. Currently a Senior System Administrator for SVA’s BFA Animation department, Wini brings her unique perspective to MFA Products of Design, where she is expanding her practice and exploring how technology and creativity can come together to shape meaningful experiences.

Yeeun (Yennie) Min Yennie is a product designer from South Korea. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Product Design from Seoul National University of Science and Technology and a second Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the S

Yeeun (Yennie) Min

Yennie is a product designer from South Korea. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Product Design from Seoul National University of Science and Technology and a second Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts. Her work spans UX/UI, 3D design, and creative direction, blending functionality with visual storytelling to create experiences that are intuitive, engaging, and immersive. A meticulous executor with a keen eye for detail, she balances precision with playfulness, aiming to create work that is neither too serious nor too light. Drawing inspiration from the small joys of daily life—sports, baking, and personal interactions—Yennie approaches design as a way to extend ideas beyond flat digital interfaces, exploring tangible, immersive experiences that communicate both concept and emotion.

Aijun Jiang Aijun is a designer from Chongqing, China. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, studying in the Sino-Italian Cooperative Education Program with the University of Genoa. H

Aijun Jiang

Aijun is a designer from Chongqing, China. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, studying in the Sino-Italian Cooperative Education Program with the University of Genoa. His practice spans product, interaction, and service design, with projects ranging from a modular furniture series to a volunteering platform app. He has worked as a Product Designer at Loudi Yunyue Creative Trade Co. Ltd, contributing to toy design projects, conducting market research, and strengthening collaborative and time-management skills. Aijun was awarded Third Prize in the Beijing Region at the 7th Milan Design Week China Collegiate Design Competition & Exhibition. At MFA Products of Design, he is expanding his practice and exploring how industrial design can integrate interaction, sustainability, and cultural perspectives.

Anusha Sowda Anusha is a multidisciplinary designer and artist originally from California. She earned her BFA in Graphic Design from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. After graduating, she worked across set design, graphic

Anusha Sowda

Anusha is a multidisciplinary designer and artist originally from California. She earned her BFA in Graphic Design from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. After graduating, she worked across set design, graphic design, art education, and tattooing. Currently, Anusha is expanding her practice through design and branding projects for independent musicians while continuing her work in tattooing and modeling. She has a deep love of fashion, theatre, singing, cooking, community building and activism. Anusha’s work is guided by a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in design. Through the MFA Products of Design program, she aims to apply these principles toward creative direction for music artists, developing thoughtful and visually compelling design practices.

Guangyu (Zoe) Wang Zoe is a product designer from Beijing, China. She earned her undergraduate degree in Industrial Design, developing a strong foundation in user-centered design, product development, and creative problem-solving. She gained indu

Guangyu (Zoe) Wang

Zoe is a product designer from Beijing, China. She earned her undergraduate degree in Industrial Design, developing a strong foundation in user-centered design, product development, and creative problem-solving. She gained industry experience through an internship at iHealth Lab, working on healthcare technology projects and exploring how design can improve everyday well-being. Zoe is interested in creating products that not only function effectively but also bring comfort, empathy, and meaningful interaction to users. She approaches design as a bridge between innovation and humanity, aiming to create work that connects deeply with people’s lives and inspires positive change.