Special Event

MFA Design presents its annual thesis forum "Venture17: Beyond Design," where 19 graduating students will showcase their innovative design enterprises. Each is a product of intensive coursework, research and consultation, shaped by personal experience and elevated by the program’s central focus on the thoughtful leverage of visual and entrepreneurial strategy. The theme, "Beyond Design," explores the exciting new wave of designed, multi-platform concepts produced by these design entrepreneurs, who delve into their own passions, design original content and develop market-ready ventures. The event will broadcast live.

This event is a platform for MFA Design candidates to introduce their new ventures to the public, receive feedback and build partnerships. The ventures span a range of themes and media; some are educational, designed to help people learn more about themselves and the world around them, while others are digital experiences that connect people and create communities. Several ventures offer online services designed to make everyday life simpler and happier, and many others develop innovative products to complement the modern lifestyle of global consumers.

Beginning Saturday, April 22, a Thesis Launch exhibition of the 19 ventures will be on view at the SVA Gramercy Gallery. Join us for the fête on Monday, May 8th from 6:00 – 9:00pm to celebrate with the members of the Class of 2017, live music and refreshments. 

The thesis Forum and Launch will feature the work of Sarah Al-Seikhan, Sumana "Prim" Amatayakul, Jee Eun An, Fiorella Basso, Lauren Eve Cantor, Fernando Capeto, Yimeng Cui, Lindsey Fisher, Lizzie Florece, Raina Huang, Shannon Jager, Mira Khandour, Efrén D. Pagán, Anaele Pélisson, Vedanti Sikka, Zenzile Sky Lark, Aubrey Stanton, Michael Stone and Jossue Velasquez.