Another Portfolio Day has come and gone! Portfolio Day has become an annual Sage IND tradition - the culmination of four years of hard work. It's also a wonderful opportunity to connect our graduating students with our alumni. A sincere thank you goes out to all of the alumni who participated in this year's Portfolio Day and congratulations to the class of 2014!

Elizabeth Greenberg, director of the Opalka Gallery, was the client for the junior Interior Design Contract II class this semester. Elizabeth required a design concept for an upcoming exhibit about video game art. The junior class worked together to produce a complete design including a variety of options for displaying artwork, plexiglas mock-ups, and an impressive laser cut model of the gallery. The final presentation was a success. Nice work, everyone!

On Monday evening, the annual New York Eleven Plus (NY11+) exhibition opened at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Sage interior design student work was on display alongside the work of students from other New York State interior design programs. NY11+ is a great opportunity for students to be involved in the process of educating the public about the importance of the interior design profession. You can learn more about the organization here.

Recently our junior interior design students presented their projects for the renovation of the Robert C. Parker School, an independent school located in Wynantskill, NY. Students made several site visits to the school and interviewed faculty and administration throughout the design process. The final projects included significant changes to the existing library space, along with gym and lobby renovations and updated classroom furnishings. The projects were presented to a group of school administrators, parents, and board members. Congratulations to the junior class for taking on this challenge!

Liz Gesullo and Rodman Jones, 2012 graduates of the IND program, recently visited with members of the Interior Design Club. Liz currently works with Renae Cohen Interiors, a residential design firm located in Irvington, NY, while Rodman has been employed in the commercial design field and is located in Burlington, VT. Liz and Rodman explained their transition from student to professional and answered student questions over a sushi lunch. Thanks to both Liz and Rodman for taking the time to visit!

IND students Elisabeth Morreale and Kimberly Houle were selected as the first prize winners in the recent Upcycle competition in the Little Gallery. Their coffee table design used empty bottles, wood, and an old window to create a unique and useful piece. Other student entries included Robert Brisson's jewelry made of discarded electronics and wire (shown above).
By definition, upcycling is the act of repurposing discarded materials to create a new product. Upcycling is different than recycling in that the resulting work retains a functional purpose, has an aesthetic appeal, and is usually of higher quality than the original piece. Sage art and design students responded to an open call for entries, creating pieces such as a light fixture and small furniture, as well as jewelry and even clothing.
The works created for Upcycle will remain on display in the Little Gallery through Sunday, February 23rd. The Little Gallery is open Sunday – Friday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm.

On Friday, November 1st, junior and senior Interior Design students unveiled “Selling the Brand” in the Little Gallery. The show combines work completed by two classes for submission to annual Pave design competitions. Projects featured pop-up store designs for the Bonobos brand and new retail designs for Sephora.

Yesterday our senior Capstone studio class welcomed guest speaker Lee Goldstein of Henry Schein Dental. Lee has spent most of his career in the dental equipment and design field. He had much to offer to our students as they begin layout out the dental suite that will be a part of the larger medical environment they are creating this semester. Lee also happens to be the father of Sage IND senior Jessica Goldstein. Thanks so much to Lee for visiting with our class and leaving behind example plans and reference materials!