VCUarts Interior Design

The semester is winding down. Our MFA Class of 2026 cohorts is about to present their thesis defenses, our BFA Class of 2026 is finalizing their thesis investigations and work, and our IDES cohorts across the board are preparing for final exams and projects. Good luck and celebrate the hard work and effort put into a rewarding year!

MULTIPLICITY
not one story, but many.

VCU MFA & BFA Interior Design Thesis Show

Friday, May 8th 2026
5:00-8:00pm
Remarks at 6:00pm

Special thanks to the Thesis Committee: Yelenna Angeles, Elena Curtusan, Gayle Lobaton, Sarah Marsh, Audrey Vizard, and Diana Zagorodna.

We’re highlighting our recent IDES presence at the IDEC 2026 Annual Conference held in Chicago!

Assistant Professor Laura Battaglia, and three of our MFA Candidates, Karim Asarzadeh, Asmita Baskar, and Grace Carter, presented their research through presentations and poster sessions with educators, practitioners, and researchers in the field of interior design.

Check out the research shared!

Laura Battaglia (IDES Assistant Professor) - Rethinking the Ranch

Karim Asarzadeh (MFA ‘26) - Interiors in Context: Influences and Collaboration

Asmita Baskar (MFA ‘26) - Conceal & Reveal: Interiority in Hidden Hubs of Grassroots Expression

Grace Carter (MFA ‘27) - Environmental Health and Sustainable Design in Historic Buildings

Save the date!

Our 2026 IDES BFA + MFA Thesis Show will take place on Friday, May 8th, 5-8PM, at The Depot Building.

Seung-Ho Lee, Assistant Professor of Interior Design in the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, recently had his research published in Interiors: Design/Architecture/Culture!

Seung-Ho’s article, “Domesticity as Authenticity”, explores how standardized spaces become genuine homes through the everyday practices of the people who inhabit them. Its reflections share how Seung-Ho’s own perceptions were transformed in the process as a foreign resident. The paper addresses the concept of interiorization through phenomenological observation and autoethnographic reflection.

You can access the article at the link here or in our bio: https://doi.org/10.1080/20419112.2025.2607748

Congratulations to Seung-Ho!

Asmita Baskar (MFA ‘26) has been named as an honoree in the METROPOLIS Magazine Future100 cohort!

As described by nominator Kristin Carleton, “She is a natural leader, a thoughtful peer, and an engaged citizen. Asmita’s work ethic and professionalism are exceptional, and her passion for engaging design as a tool to impact positive change is infectious.”

Congratulations to Asmita!

Lily Corbin (BFA ‘26) has been named as an honoree in the METROPOLIS Magazine Future100 cohort!

As described by nominator Laura Battaglia, “Lily understands that design is not an act of self-interest, but one of generosity—something that can be shared and offered as a gift. She has embraced community-centered design as a catalyst for positive change.”

Congratulations to Lily!

It’s time for an alumni spotlight feature!

Meet Alexis Greene, an NCIDQ Certified, Federal Interior Designer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. Alexis holds a BFA in Interior Design from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Check out her work and bio here!

ASID still has FREE tickets available for the Career Day this Friday, 02/20! This is a great opportunity to make connections and meet working professionals. Lunch is included in your ticket. Please see the attached flyer below that has details including address and time.

If you are interested please email Dani Botdorf at [email protected] by 12 PM TODAY! Transportation is on your own, but we can help coordinate rides if needed.

For students who are attending, think about bringing resumes and business cards, or a way to be able to provide a link to your portfolio.

OPEN TO ALL MAJORS!
IDES 391-002: BLACK & INDIGENOUS DESIGN
Tuesdays + Thursdays - 8:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Online-synchronous
Taught by Mukhtara Yusuf
Satisfies open elective for I D E S!
IDES 391-002 explores black and indigenous relationships to non-human others through the lens of decolonial design methods. Students will engage in soil studies, decolonial spatial design, black and indigenous science fiction texts and explore epistemological themes in Black and indigenous Science and Technology Studies (STS) asking how we can create decolonial and community oriented methods for architecture, urban design and art creation.
Deliverables will include both creative artistic/design outcomes as well as written analysis.

Interior Design at V C U arts is so thankful for all the members of our community. Wishing our students, faculty, alums, colleagues, and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Join us for our Open House on October 25!
VCU's Fall Open Houses are the perfect way to get to know us better and to experience life as a Ram! You’ll see our facilities, and you can meet current students, faculty, and admissions representatives. You’ll also learn more about the admissions process, study abroad opportunities, the Honors College, and other unparalleled resources available to VCUarts students.

For more information and to register, please visit https://admissions.vcu.edu/connect/events/fall-open-house/