2019-2020 Student Award Winners

Salon Du Chocolat Seoul 2020 Student Contest

Sponsor: Salon Du Chocolat
Challenge: Sketch a dress and making of a basic frame of garment for Salon du Chocolat Seoul 2020 Fashion Show. The theme of this year’s show is “Nature”. The students were scored on creativity of the garment, relativity with fashion show theme and feasibility with chocolate decoration. 
Participants: Open to 3rd, semester Fashion Design students at FIT at SUNY Korea.
Outcome: Panel of judges and industry professionals chose 8 winners whose dresses were produced by the chocolatiers at the show.  Evelyn Hartland (Fashion Design BFA), Joey Chai (Fashion Design BFA), Janet Jee (Fashion Design BFA), Yeon Kyong Park (Technical Design BS), Pik Nam Lam (Fashion Design BFA), Subin Choi (Fashion Design BFA), Chaeeun Lee (Fashion Design BFA), and Sheng-Ai Hsu (Fashion Design AAS).
Contact: Fashion Design Professor Leonard Bess ([email protected]) or Research Assistant Professor & Deputy Director for SUNY Korea Bon Kuk Koo ([email protected]).
Articles: SUNY Korea Students Design Chocolate Dresses

Adobe Analytics Challenge 2020

Sponsor: Adobe Inc. and Nike
Challenge: Student teams are tasked with looking at the overall Nike consumer journey. Teams need to define what that experience could look like, and what the personalization strategy could entail for a variety of consumer personas (running vs yoga vs tennis, for example). Students have to answer what it will take to create a seamless and customized digital experience, where visitors are motivated to become members.
Participants: Open to current students of design schools worldwide.
Outcome: 3rd place ($6,000) winning team: Flash - Muskaan Arora (Fashion Business Management BS), Joyce Ishikawa (Fashion Business Management BS), Sofia Simoniello (Fashion Business Management BS).
Contact: Computer Science Professor Maria Hwang ([email protected]).
Articles: FIT Team Places in International Data Analytics Competition, 2020 Adobe Analytics Challenge - Finals Live Stream!, Adobe and Nike launch analytics competition for college students

PPA 2020 Student Design Challenge

Sponsor: Paperboard Packaging Alliance
Challenge: Design an innovative packaging toolkit for educators to use as part of the Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees (TICCIT®) program, which engages third through fifth graders in an environmental and educational activity, highlighting the renewability and sustainability of paper and paperboard packaging.
Participants: Open to current students of design schools worldwide.
Outcome: 3rd place winning team: Festivitree - Valeria Bornacelli (Packaging Design BFA), Michelle Kim (Packaging Design BFA),  Ashley Markiewicz (Packaging Design BFA), Margaret Seleznev (Packaging Design BFA).
Contact: Packaging Design Professor Sandra Krasovec ([email protected]) or Packaging Design Professor Adam Straus ([email protected]).
Articles: 2020 STUDENT DESIGN CHALLENGE WINNERS, 2020 STUDENT DESIGN CHALLENGE FIT ENTRIES, PAPERBOARD PACKAGING ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES 2020 STUDENT DESIGN CHALLENGE WINNERS

Carpet Design Awards 2021: Best Emerging Designer

Sponsor: COVER Magazine
Challenge: Submit for consideration an original carpet design, to be produced by weavers supported by Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan.
Participants: Open to current students and recent graduates of design schools worldwide.
Outcome: FIT finalist in 3 person shortlist: Seo Hye Lee (Textile/Surface Design BFA).
Contact: Textile/Surface Design and Fabric Styling Professor Deborah Hernandez ([email protected])  Articles: Fresh wind: "Best Emerging Designer” debut at Carpet Design Awards, INTRODUCING THE WINNERS OF THE 2021 CARPET DESIGN AWARDS

BIAAF VII Edition International Fashion Design Contest

Sponsor: Bilbao International Art & Fashion
Challenge: The theme of the competition is open, although for added merit the work presented should bear some relationship to the world.
of art from the historic or creative point of view, manifested either, in the inspiration behind the collection itself or in specific references: fabric prints, shapes, details etc.
Participants: Open to emerging designers of any nationality aged between 18 and 35.
Outcome: FIT Finalist: Ching-Wen Chen (Fashion Design AAS) - Collection Divide.
Articles: CHING-WEN CHEN

FM 422 (Merchandise Strategies Capstone Project)

Sponsor: Ross Stores, Inc.
Challenge: Create an innovative merchandise strategy for the Ross Stores.
Participants: Open to FIT students enrolled in the spring 2020 FM 422 (Merchandise Strategies Capstone Project Course).
Outcome: 1st place team: Home Storage Expansion - Akeem Bloch (Fashion Business Management BS), Lily Mkheidze-Timmermans (Fashion Business Management BS), Tory Casey (Fashion Business Management BS), Shana Yavari (Fashion Business Management BS); 2nd place team: Ross Online Cookware - Alin Intravisit (Fashion Business Management BS),Treescha Sangka (Fashion Business Management BS), Liz Scheuerman (Fashion Business Management BS); 3rd place team: Ross Mobile App - Daniele Stephanie Manalo (Fashion Business Management BS), Fiona Liao (Fashion Business Management BS), Jisu Kim (Fashion Business Management BS), Madison Gooding (Fashion Business Management BS), Alexa Landis (Fashion Business Management BS).
Contact: Fashion Business Management Professor Catherine Geib ([email protected]).  

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) — NY Aquarium Industry-Sponsored Project for ED 542 (Exhibition Design Graphics)

Sponsor: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) — NY Aquarium
Challenge: The objective of this project was to introduce students to experiential graphic design through an EED Design Partnership collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island. The students worked closely with the client team to deliver and present programming, analysis, concept and design development packages. 
Participants: All students enrolled in ED 542 (Exhibition Design Graphics) course.
Outcome: 1st place: Cecilia Moscardo (Exhibition and Experience Design MA); 2nd place: Xuewei Jiang (Exhibition and Experience Design MA); 3rd place: Keith Comley (Exhibition and Experience Design MA).
Contact: Exhibition and Experience Design Associate Chairperson Christina Lyons ([email protected]).
Articles: Design Semester—FIT Graduate Exhibition & Experience Design at NY Aquarium

The Museum at FIT Educational Project for ED 523 (Exhibition Design for the Museum Setting)

Sponsor: The Museum at FIT
Challenge: This educational project is a joint collaboration between Exhibition and Experience Design MA Department and The Museum at FIT. The objective of this project was to prepare students to conceptually design an exhibition. Working with the Museum at FIT as a client, students executed a professional level exhibition design concept document, learning the phases, working with actual briefs and resources, and interacting with various constituencies from the museum towards producing authentic design phase deliverables and presentations.
Participants: All students enrolled in ED 523 (Exhibition Design for the Museum Setting).
Outcome: All projects were graded by the instructor as part of the class.
Contact: Exhibition and Experience Design Professor Brenda Cowan ([email protected]) or The Museum at FIT Director Valerie Steele ([email protected]).

Group Delphi Industry-Sponsored Project for ED531 (Presentation Techniques)

Sponsor: Group Delphi
Challenge: This was a conceptual project based upon the actual trade show work done for one of the Group Delphi's past clients—Medtronic Inc. which is a medical device company. Students engaged in strategic planning and conceptual development for this exhibit design to advance brand recognition, visitor flow and create a positive and memorable experience. The concept design included lighting, print and digital media design, including interactive opportunities for the visitor. This involved creating opportunities for visitors to have a learning experience and engage in activities that enhance the visitor experience. Students were responsible for adhering to all rules and requirements of a tradeshow venue, developed by the instructor in collaboration with Group Delphi. They also obtained a working knowledge of logistics and budget allocations within a tradeshow venue.
Participants: All students enrolled in ED531 (Presentation Techniques) course.
Outcome: All projects were graded by the instructor as part of the class.
Contact: Exhibition and Experience Design Professor Robin Drake ([email protected]). 

AD 497 (Advertising Student Competition Course)

Sponsors: The One Club for Creativity
Challenge: The Young Ones Brief competition tasked students with creating work for different types of clients.
Participants: Open to national and international college students who are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate college program, or other program approved by The One Club's Education Department.
Outcome: Gold Pencil (VANS TEST LAB / Client Brief: Vans / Experiential) - Margaret Panoti (Advertising & Digital Design BFA, Spanish Minor), Yuliya Kosheeva (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Dan Terpuni (Advertising & Digital Design BFA, Creative Technology Minor); Bronze Pencil (FACE FEAR / Client Brief: The North Face / Integrated) -  Anika-Marie Grube (Advertising & Digital Design BFA, Creative Technology Minor), Emily Garvelis (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Lauren Padula (Advertising & Digital Design BFA, Creative Technology Minor), Cara Cannone (Advertising & Digital Design BFA); Bronze Pencil (ASK HENRY / Client Brief: The New York Times / Digital / Online) -  Ethan Sims (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Nuri Park (School of Visual Arts); Merit Award (THE WOMEN'S HIKE / Client Brief: The North Face / Integrated) -  Hira Ali (Advertising & Digital Design BFA, History of Art Minor), Ashley Aviles (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Sarika Persaud (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Cara Cannone (Advertising & Digital Design BFA, Creative Technology Minor, History of Art Minor); Merit Award (SPOTIFY ROADTRIP / Client Brief: Spotify / Mobile) - Alexi Cassidy (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Marisa Mordini (Advertising & Digital Design BFA); Merit Award (SPOTIFY DRIVE-IN / Client Brief: Spotify / Experiential) - Lauren Padula (Advertising & Digital Design BFA, Creative Technology Minor).
Contact: Communication Design Pathways Professor Joseph (Joe) Staluppi ([email protected]) or Communication Design Pathways Professor Thomas McManus ([email protected]).
Articles: FIT / New York (51 Points / 6 Winning Entries)

D&AD New Blood Awards 2020

Sponsor: Design & Art Direction-Global Association for Creative Advertising & Design Awards
Challenge: Over 16 different challenges and briefs from industry and world renown corporations.
Participants: Open worldwide to all full time students or recent graduates.
Outcome: D&AD Graphite Pencil WinnerBBC (The Data Decoder) - Ethan Sims (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Nuri Park (School of Visual Arts); D&AD Wood Pencil WinnerM.E.E - Multi-sensory Educational Environment - Margaret Panoti (Advertising & Digital Design BFA, Spanish Minor), Sierra Blanc (Advertising & Digital Design BFA), Hasibul Islam (Advertising & Digital Design BFA).
Contact: Communication Design Pathways Professor Chin Juz (CJ) Yeh ([email protected]) or Communication Design Pathways Professor Joseph (Joe) Staluppi ([email protected]).

“Aristocrazy” - Madrid Design Festival Bootcamp

Sponsor: Madrid Design Festival
Challenge: The intention of this course was two fold: on one hand to bring participants closer to what has been the popular basketry in Spain and, on the other, to experiment with traditional techniques using some of their most characteristic materials. The students were shown how to work this material, its limitations and its magic. The course was taught by basket maker, teacher and researcher of wickerwork for thirty years Carlos Fontales. He has published two books: Basketry of the towns of Galicia and More than baskets. Spanish popular basketry. In recent years it has also been carrying out largeformat facilities built with vegetable fibers.
Participants: Open to undergraduate students around the world.
Outcome: FIT Finalist: Joohee Lee (Jewelry Design AAS).
Contact: Jewelry Design Professor Wendy Yothers ([email protected]).
Articles: Aristocrazy Design Bootcamp 2020, MADRID DESIGN FESTIVAL 2020

12th annual $10,000 Supima Design Competition

Sponsor: Supima
Challenge:  Design a capsule collection of five women’s wear looks featuring the unique characteristics of Supima cotton.
Participants: 2019 graduating seniors from Academy of Art University, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Kent State University, Parsons School of Design, Rhode Island School of Design, and Savannah College of Art and Design.
Outcome:  FIT Finalist: I shwari Vijh (Fashion Design BFA, History of Art Minor, Concentration: Sportswear) '19.
Contact:  Fashion Design Apparel Professor Tom Scott ([email protected]).

FIT Constitution Day Postcard Competition

Sponsor: School of Liberal Arts
Challenge: Students are asked to design the front and back of a postcard (3X5 or 4X6 inches) that illustrates their beliefs about any part of the United States Constitution.
Participants: Open to all part-time and full-time FIT students.
Outcome: 1st place: Danielle Aviles (Graphic Design BFA, History of Art Minor)}; 2nd place: Riley Dean (Graphic Design BFA); 3rd place: Gabriel Allibone (Graphic Design BFA).
Contact: Social Science's Professor of American History Daniel Levinson Wilk ([email protected]). 

The Underfashion Club Student Contest

Sponsor: The Underfashion Club
Challenge: Create one original design/garment utilizing this year's theme "Modern Intimate Movement" – design for evolving lifestyles, technology and retail.
Participants: Open to FIT's seventh semester intimate apparel concentration Fashion Design students.
Outcome: 1st place: Angela Wang (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel); 2nd place: Heather Morra (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel); 3rd place: Tracy Garcia (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel); Participants prizes: Min Chau Tran (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel); Yajie Niu (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel) and Hannah Myers (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Intimate Apparel).
Contact: Fashion Design Professor Me Hee Han ([email protected]). 

Chargeurs Redefining Fashion Technologies Student Contest

Sponsor: Chargeurs PCC
Challenge: Create a wedding gown while utilizing interlining fusibles supplied by Chargeurs (minimum usage must be at least 95%).
Participants: Open to FIT's seventh semester special occasion concentration Fashion Design students.
Outcome: 1st place: Yeonjin Kim (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Special Occasion); 2nd place - Zun Phyu (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Special Occasion); 3rd place - Mengyao Zhang (Fashion Design BFA, Concentration: Special Occasion).
Contact: Fashion Design Professor Paula Varsalona ([email protected]).   

Amédée Paris Student Contest

Sponsor: Amédée Paris
Challenge: Design a scarf concept (shape, dimensions and fabric) based on Amédée Paris’ DNA, history and values and on today’s American millennial customers’ expectations.
Participants: Open to 3rd, 5th and 7th semester Textile/Surface Design and Fabric Styling Department students.
Outcome: 1st place: Stephanie Stickle (Textile/Surface Design BFA); 2nd place - SeoHye Lee (Textile/Surface Design BFA); 3rd place - Sijia Cheng (Textile/Surface Design BFA); Honorable Mention: Kadie Maller (Textile/Surface Design BFA).
Contact: Textile/Surface Design and Fabric Styling Chairperson Nomi Kleinman ([email protected]).   

Stark Carpet Design Industry-Sponsored Project

Sponsor: Stark Carpet Corporation
Challenge: Design and present a carpet design based on a theme "From Concept to Custom Design as Per the Client”.
Participants: Open to FIT students enrolled in fall 2019 TD 452 (Custom Carpet and Rug Design) course.
Outcome: 1st place: Lianne Covington (Textile/Surface Design BFA); 2nd place - Thomas McLaughlin (Textile/Surface Design BFA); 3rd place - Kadie Maller (Textile/Surface Design BFA); 4th place - Cameron Heaney (Textile/Surface Design BFA); 5th place - Jihyun Lim (Textile/Surface Design BFA); 6th place - Monique Logan (Textile/Surface Design BFA).
Contact: Textile/Surface Design and Fabric Styling Professor Deborah Hernandez ([email protected]).    

IAEE Expo! Expo! 2020 Brand Activation Industry-Sponsored Project

Sponsor: IAEE Expo! Expo! 2020
Challenge: Design an IAEE’s Meet Up Pavilion area for the Expo! Expo! 2020 conference.
Participants: Open to FIT students enrolled in the Fall 2019 ED 572 (Historical Perspectives and Theory) course and Bemidji State University students enrolled in a similar program.
Outcome: FIT Finalist and 2nd place winner: Xuewei Jiang (Exhibition & Experience Design MA).
Contact: FIT Graduate Exhibition & Experience Design Chairperson Christina Lyons ([email protected]) or FIT Graduate Exhibition & Experience Design Professor Sara De Angelis ([email protected]).

FM 422 (Merchandise Strategies Capstone Project)

Sponsor: Boston Proper
Challenge: Create an innovative merchandising strategy for Boston Proper.
Participants: Open to FIT students enrolled in the Fall 2019 FM 422 (Merchandise Strategies Capstone Project) course.
Outcome: 1st place team: Natalie Chaiken (Fashion Business Management BS), Hyerie Park (Fashion Business Management BS), Patrick Quick (Fashion Business Management BS), Young Kyung Yoon (Fashion Business Management BS). 2nd place team: Sarah Goldwasser (Fashion Business Management BS), Caroline Moore (Fashion Business Management BS), Hannah Rosbach (Fashion Business Management BS), Stefanie Zerner (Fashion Business Management BS). 
Contact: Fashion Business Management Professor Vincent Quan ([email protected]) or Fashion Business Management Professor Catherine Geib ([email protected]).

NEWH Interior Design $8,000 Scholarship

Sponsor: Network of Executive Women in Hospitality
Challenge: Portfolio submission.
Participants: Actively enrolled students: 4-year sophomore/second year and above, or graduate level attending college at: Pratt Institute, Parsons, Pace University or Fashion Institute of Technology, 3.0 GPA (cumulative) overall “B” average or grade percentage of 83% – 86% equivalent, Interior design major with hospitality career focus.
Outcome: Winner - Kim Kedem (Interior Design BFA).
Contact: Interior Design Chairperson Carmita Sanchez-Fong ([email protected]).
Articles: Portfolio Kim Kedem Interior Designer, NEWN Scholarship Recipients 

NEWH Interior Design $5,000 Scholarship

Sponsor: Network of Executive Women in Hospitality
Challenge: Portfolio submission.
Participants: Actively enrolled students: 4-year sophomore/second year and above, or graduate level attending college at: Pratt Institute, Parsons, Pace University or Fashion Institute of Technology, 3.0 GPA (cumulative) overall “B” average or grade percentage of 83% – 86% equivalent, Interior design major with hospitality career focus.
Outcome: Winner - Amgad Seidi (Interior Design BFA).
Contact: Interior Design Chairperson Carmita Sanchez-Fong ([email protected]).
Article: NEWN Scholarship Recipients

NEWH Interior Design $3,000 Scholarship

Sponsor: Séura
Challenge: Portfolio submission.
Participants: Actively enrolled students: 4-year sophomore/second year and above, or graduate level attending college at: Pratt Institute, Parsons, Pace University or Fashion Institute of Technology, 3.0 GPA (cumulative) overall “B” average or grade percentage of 83% – 86% equivalent, Interior design major with hospitality career focus.
Outcome: 2019 Séura Studio Series Design Competition Winner - Joanna Sotomayor (Interior Design BFA).
Contact: Interior Design Chairperson Carmita Sanchez-Fong ([email protected]).
Article: NEWN Scholarship Recipients 

30th Fashion ZAKKA Design Competition

Sponsor:  Taito Fashion Zakka Fair
Challenge: Submit an original entry that includes leather in at least one portion of the design.
Participants: Both professional and amateurs interested in the design of ZAKKA fashion goods.
Outcome: Winner - Emily Omesi (Fashion Design BFA).
Contact: Emily Omesi, Fashion Design ([email protected]).