Interior Design students take over SPACE on King for annual showcase
Students from the School of Interior Design (SID) held their annual year-end exhibition, titled YES: POV, at SPACE on King Street, showcasing student installations from all four years of the program. The annual year-end show serves as an opportunity to respond to current themes and experiences in the interior design community. This year, SID invited viewers to leave all preconceptions behind and see things from a different Point of View (POV). The event featured a gallery walk-through of undergraduate student work, student awards selected by jurors, and the opportunity to network with industry professionals.
Lorella Di Cintio, Associate Chair of Interior Design and Course Lead for the School of Interior Design year-end show, praised students for their contributions to the exhibition.
“The graduating class of 2023 experienced four unique years of learning,” she acknowledged. “They are a group who stir in hopeful thinking and making, understand new concepts of urgency and will be forever critically aware of the atmospheres of the interior.”
Fourth-year Interior Design students Noelle Daniel and Olivia Bailey were the co-chairs of this year’s event, and were tasked with making the show a memorable and successful event, which they certainly accomplished.
“We anticipated a certain amount of engagement, but the actual turnout and the way the show resonated with people went beyond our expectations,” Daniel said.
Attendees viewing fourth year projects at SPACE on King. Image courtesy of Spencer Wither
The event was not only an opportunity to showcase student work but also served as a chance to highlight emerging trends, creative ideas, and innovative techniques students from the program bring to the interior design field. Student creations approached contemporary design focusing on sustainability and technology, constructing futuristic installations in response to modern challenges.
“It's important for us to showcase final products and convey the hard work, passion, and dedication students put into their projects,” explained Bailey. “Our peers in Interior Design at The Creative School have faced numerous challenges and obstacles over the course of our degree, and the support and encouragement from our classmates have helped us overcome them all.”
Di Cintio congratulated all students involved in the showcase on a successful evening and shared her best wishes for the graduating class in their future endeavours.
“My colleagues and I are proud of their accomplishments and wish them much success,” she remarked.
Behind the scenes of creating a year-end show
View of the multi-level gallery at SPACE on King. Image courtesy of Spencer Wither
Putting on a showcase highlighting student work across the program is no small feat, as co-chairs Daniel and Bailey were responsible for managing each of the six departments: site, project coordination, graphics, media and marketing, administration and operations, external relations, and finance. With each department crucial to creating a seamless show, they had to oversee time management and coordinate with faculty, staff, the gallery space, and all event logistics.
Despite the enormous task list, unforeseen obstacles, and all-nighters, creating the event was a rewarding experience for Daniel and Bailey.
“Seeing everything come together was the most rewarding part of working on the showcase,” commented Bailey. “It's extremely fulfilling to know that our hard work and dedication have paid off and that we've positively impacted our audience while continuing our show's legacy.”
Co-chairs Noelle Daniel [left] and Olivia Bailey [right]. Image courtesy of Spencer Wither
“It's a great feeling to be a part of something that brings joy and inspiration to so many people,” Daniel added.
Future of Interior Design
The School of Interior Design [SID] Year End Show [YES] is an annual exhibition celebrating all the hard work and dedication our students have put into their projects over the past academic year. During their undergraduate education students produce innovative and sustainable solutions in modern design. The student work featured isometric line drawings, carefully composed renders, and technical construction packages. Each project captured the designer’s unique interpretation of space through various models and fabrications in response to current themes within the interior design community.
“We want attendees to leave feeling inspired, informed, and excited about the future of interior design,” Bailey commented. “Our hope is that our event will create a sense of community and collaboration among designers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts.”
Fourth-year student Jewel Mathieu with her chair from Interior Design Studio 8 with Professor Jonathan Anderson. Image courtesy of Spencer Wither
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.