Future100 Interior Design Graduate Winners

Asmita Baskar | Virginia Commonwealth University

NOMINATOR: Kristin Carleton, Graduate Program Director and Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

“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.”

Giovanni Fazzare | University of Oregon

NOMINATOR: Kyu-Ho Ahn, Associate Professor, College of Design, University of Oregon

“His design approach reflects a deep understanding of human nature and spatial psychology, resulting in environments that are both technically sound and emotionally resonant.”

Yuzheng Gan | The University of Texas at Austin

NOMINATOR: Hans Tursack, Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at Austin

“Yuzheng is a dedicated, curious, inquisitive student. She brings a critical eye, unique perspective, and unfailing rigor to all of her design work, moving deftly and fluidly between software platforms.”

Joella Lai | New York School of Interior Design

NOMINATOR: Francisco de Leon, Adjunct Professor, New York School of Interior Design

“Joella is a design thinker. She sketches out ideas that lead to well thought out projects. She explores the possibilities within the constraints of a project and strives to make the design relevant as well as engaging.”

Na Lyu | Parsons School of Design, The New School

NOMINATOR: Maria Linares Trelles, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design / The New School

“Na stands out for her research-driven design process, her commitment to constant iteration, and her ability to produce detailed, thoughtful proposals that prioritize the needs and comfort of users.”

Anoushka Mann | Drexel University

NOMINATOR: William Mangold, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism, Drexel University

“Across her portfolio, Anoushka demonstrates remarkable range—from speculative work on digital culture to community-based design and refined residential environments—supported by exceptional graphic skill and material sensitivity.”

Mallory Myers-Payne | Marymount University

NOMINATOR: Moira Denson, Associate Professor of Interior Architecture + Design, Marymount University

“Whether she is exploring materiality, developing thoughtful narratives, or working on timely intergenerational research, she consistently demonstrates the ability to zoom out to understand the system and zoom in to craft human-centered spatial details.”

Hannah Petkau | University of Oregon

NOMINATOR: Esther Hagenlocher, Associate Professor and Head of the Interior Architecture Department, University of Oregon

“Hannah’s multidisciplinary approach is truly exceptional, setting her work apart and enabling her to seamlessly integrate her knowledge of the fine arts into her designs. This versatility empowers her to approach each project with a unique perspective.”

Fatemeh Shahvazian | The University of Texas at Austin

NOMINATOR: Ria Bravo, Assistant Professor of Interior Design, The University of Texas at Austin

“Fatemeh brings an exceptional combination of creativity, technical ability, and conceptual depth to everything she touches. Her design work is iterative and deeply considered—she tests ideas, refines them, and pushes them well beyond where they started.”

Mallika Shankar | Drexel University

NOMINATOR: William Mangold, Assistant Professor, Interior Architecture and Design, Drexel University

“Mallika’s thesis investigates how shared interior environments can counter isolation and cultivate belonging in contemporary urban life. Rather than approaching ‘community’ as a vague ideal, she translates it into concrete spatial strategies.”

Sion Tanaka | New York School of Interior Design

NOMINATOR: Francisco De Leon, Adjunct Professor, New York School of Interior Design

“Sion explores the possibilities within the constraints of a project and strives to make the design relevant. She likes to sketch to find ideas that lead to well-designed projects. She is one to watch out for.”

Zhenmi Tang | Rhode Island School of Design

NOMINATOR: Elizabeth Debs, Professor & Studio Critic, RISD

“Zhenmi has very strong spatial conceptualization, which she uses effectively to create cohesive and well detailed proposals. She fearlessly approaches new ideas and technologies with enthusiasm, and her work has been emblematic of adaptive reuse strategies and preservation.”

Paymaan Taymouri | University of Kentucky

NOMINATOR: Lindsey Fay, Associate Dean for Research & Director of Graduate Studies, University of Kentucky

“Paymaan examines power dynamics in architecture, interrogating how spatial hierarchies and representational systems influence the built environment. This grounding in critical theory enriches his current research, situating his design explorations within larger social and cultural conversations.”

Julian Camilo Trujillo Morales | Parsons School of Design, The New School

NOMINATOR: Michele Gorman, Codirector, MFA Interior Design Program, Parsons School of Design, The New School

“Camilo redefines interior design by framing impermanence as a form of care and continuity. His thesis uses experimental documentation and material agency to reveal how interiors are continually reshaped by time, labor, and nonhuman agents.”

Deborah Wroblewski | George Washington University

NOMINATOR: Douglas Crawford, Program Head, Interior Architecture, Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, The George Washington University

“Deborah has an inquisitive, ambitious approach, pushing beyond the parameters of a brief to uncover more meaningful and elegant design solutions. She stands out for her ability to merge conceptual clarity with strong research, refined aesthetics, and adept material exploration.”

Zhuyun (Joy) Xu | Marymount University

NOMINATOR: Salvatore Pirrone, Assistant Professor of Interior Architecture + Design, Marymount University

“Joy’s technical ability and willingness to take risks make her a delight to work with. Her work is thoughtful, empathic, and visually complex, whether she is looking at the overall layout or a handrail detail, Joy is leading the way in her field.”

Xuanyu Yang | Rhode Island School of Design

NOMINATOR: Eduardo Benamor Duarte, Professor and Department Head, Interior Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design

“Along with her intuition to communicate a design concept, Xuanyu has a particular care for context and storytelling through design that is quite unique. She has demonstrated particular sensibility to tackle themes of community engagement and sustainability.”