Walking across a frozen lake can be risky. The sound of creaking footsteps conveys tension and drama. That's where Foley artist Hyoenzi "Alex" Wang comes in.

Nominated this year for an Emmy for her work on Apple TV's award-winning Severance, Wang (B.F.A., sound design, 2022) created the ominous Foley footfalls of Lumon Industries employee Irving (John Turturro) at the beginning of the pivotal episode "Woe's Hollow."

Originally from Gwacheon-si, South Korea, Wang began working at acclaimed NYC sound design studio c5, inc., in 2023, a connection facilitated by SCAD sound design professor Jamie Baker.

"I am beyond proud of Alex and her Emmy-nominated Foley artistry on Severance," says Baker. "In only a couple years' time, Alex has gone from my Foley Production Techniques class to the Foley stages at c5, inc. Alex represents what we aim for when it comes to preparing students for creative careers in sound design."

Fresh from her trip to the Los Angeles for the Emmy Awards, Wang caught up with SCAD to discuss her red carpet moment and those frozen footsteps.

Gold standard: Hyoenzi "Alex" Wang at the Emmy Awards 2025.  

Alex Wang:

"I've been Severance fan since season one. To go from being an audience member to working on the show was a huge deal for me.

When I watched the first season of Severance, I noticed how prominent and important the sound of footsteps is on the show. When I looked in the credits, I found the names [c5 founders] George Lara and Marko Costanzo—of course, the Foley on the show sounds great! Then to go work at c5 and work on Severance myself, it all progressed so fast and I was like, oh my god, you know?

The scene where Irving is in the middle of a frozen lake and starts running towards the mountain, they wanted to have the sound of the ice creaking. I got to do it. Marko had shown me the technique of that frozen lake sound. You prepare a sheet of glass, duct tape it really hard, and then using a hammer you break it a little, and then you crunch it. It requires a lot of control of how much power you're putting into that glass sheet. You have to be careful so it creaks but not breaks.

Sometimes, a really good Foley stands out, but most of the time, when people don't notice the Foley, that's great, that's the art. According to our supervisors, [director and executive producer] Ben Stiller is someone who really appreciates Foley. He wants to use Foley as much as possible, especially with the footsteps, which are like a signature on Severance.

We were hoping to get nominated for an Emmy for sound, but you never know until the list comes out. I was at home doing chores and George texted me a screenshot of my name and the nomination for sound editing, and a message saying how proud he is of me. He and Marko have been so supportive and important in my career.

I flew to LA for the Emmy Awards. Apple TV booked me into the JW Marriott downtown right beside the Peacock Theater. The experience didn't feel real until the moment I was preparing for the show. I walked into the theater, took the escalator to the lobby where they were taking official red carpet pictures. I couldn't believe that I'd come to this moment professionally in such a short period of time. 

Looking back at my SCAD experience, the sound design program taught me how to be a professional sound designer from on-set sound to post-production. For Foley, SCAD is the best—Professor Baker knows everything. One of the key things I learned at SCAD is how to communicate with people from different departments and backgrounds. By collaborating in SCADpro with students from animation, film, visual effects, and motion media, I learned how to suggest ideas that improve the work.

This has been my tenth year in the United States. I want to be a resource for international students who come to SCAD wanting to succeed in a career in art and design. I hope to come back to SCAD one day to talk about my journey."

Connect with Hyoenzi "Alex" Wang on LinkedIn.

Banner image/Severance still: Apple TV+.

As told to Peter Relic.

When Rutuja Pawase (M.F.A., fibers, 2025) folds a piece of paper, it's not just design — it's dialogue.

In her thesis exhibition The Geometry of Making at Gallery 2424, Pawase brought viewers into a landscape where tradition and technology are collaborators. With each crease and weave, Pawase challenges the binaries between hand and machine, sacred and scalable, past and future.

"My work is moving beyond functional design into deeper explorations of meaning and cultural continuity," she says.

"Amalgamate," which received an Honorable Mention at the IDA 2024 Awards, combines hand-folded origami and digitally fabricated components in a biomimetic structure inspired by the fiddleheads of ferns and the golden spiral. "I never begin a project on the computer. It starts with paper folding, touching the material. The algorithm emerges from the hand."

This "hands-first" philosophy grounds her practice. She follows Richard Sennett's philosophy of material consciousness, a deep awareness of each material's geometric memory, its resistances, and its willingness to collaborate. In Reclaimed Tapestry, which won the Red Dot: Next Gen Award, Pawase worked with salvaged leather and discarded fabrics to explore sustainability. "Each salvaged material carried its own story," she says. "Some wanted to hold a fold, others pushed back, and in their resistance, I found new forms."

Pawase roots her design philosophy in the ideals of Rabindranath Tagore's model of "constructive Swadeshi," which champions innovation through selective integration. "This framework allows me to explore technological tools without betraying craft traditions."

Her Indian heritage informs her aesthetic vocabulary. Pawase draws inspiration from the Sri Yantra, a complex diagram composed of nine interlocking triangles. "These patterns aren't just decorative. They are ancient algorithms, visual expressions of mathematical harmony." What once was intuition is now recognized as algorithmic thinking.

"The Geometry of Making: Unfurling Geometries," 2025, Canson Mi-Teintes Paper 160 gsm, Felted-Cork boards, Origami, Laser etching, Flatbed UV resin printing. Courtesy of the artist.

This harmony between the analog and digital is central to Pawase's work. "Hand techniques carry imperfection and human touch. Digital fabrication allows for precision and repeatability. I often blend them, scanning hand-crafted elements, digitally modifying them, and returning to the physical. Technology doesn't need to create distance between maker and material. It can deepen that connection when used consciously."

At the 2025 International Textile Alliance Industry Tour, Pawase engaged with large-scale manufacturers like Valdese Weavers and Arhaus, bringing these insights to industry dialogue. "The challenge isn't choosing between artisanal integrity and scalable innovation," she says. "It's about designing systems that honor both."

Before she came to SCAD, Pawase spent four years in the fashion industry, where her experience honed her attention to detail and form and also demanded that she unlearn certain aspects. "I had to let go of trend-based thinking. I had to stop treating materials as passive substrates. Now, I see them as collaborators."

That respect for material agency extends across all her formats, including wearable art, large-scale sculptures, and even screen-printed commissions for HGTV, which was created in collaboration with fellow SCAD alum Malavika Singh Thakur.

As AI reshapes creative industries, Pawase sees potential — with caveats. "AI is an evolution of tools, not a replacement for craftsmanship," she explains. "It becomes problematic when it distances the maker from the cultural and material context. But within the right framework, one rooted in presence and material knowledge, it can be a powerful partner."

For emerging textile artists navigating a fractured design landscape, her advice is clear: "Resist binary thinking. Develop your framework. Understand your materials before you design for them."

Visit rutujapawase.xyz.

"I aim to lift artists up," says Mark Biletnikoff (M.A., creative business leadership, 2014; M.A., preservation design, 2020). "Where there's a creative spark, that's my focus, and that means empowering people regardless of their status or fame."

Speaking with the painter, curator, and community organizer is a master class unto itself. Biletnikoff flows from discussing a ten-foot curvilinear abstract canvas he's just completed to reframing the popular notion of work-life balance as his own personal "work-art balance."

Currently, the Louisiana native is curating an open call for a show at the Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge in 2026. Called One Light, the exhibition embraces artists across all disciplines and backgrounds, emphasizing an authentic definition of what inclusivity truly means.
 
Mark Biletnikoff:

"I live in Baton Rouge, where I run an artist studio complex called N the Art Space. In May, we celebrated 20 years for the space. For me, the dynamic of curating different people's artworks and seeing their evolution has led me to this portion of my journey. Providing support and encouragement are always major factors in what I do.

Recently, the Mall of Louisiana had an open storefront. It was a Forever 21 that had just closed. A massive two-level store with tons of windows, and instead of blacking it out or putting up advertising, they called me, asking 'Any chance you can fill this with art?' A week later I have 14 artists showing their work there, across all different types of media, including a tattoo artist. That's the kind of thing that makes me feel alive.

I studied painting at Southeastern Louisiana University, and after I finished undergrad, I knew I wanted to earn a master's degree at a high-caliber school where I'd make a difference. I chose to study arts administration at SCAD because, at the time, I was in the process of founding a state-run Cultural District here in Baton Rouge, which offers tax breaks and incentives for artists, and networking and educational opportunities. It fit perfectly.

Eventually, through SCADnow online, I earned my second master's degree, in preservation design. I tied my two SCAD degrees in with what I've done here in Baton Rouge over the past 20 years. Everything is coming together now as One Light.

One Light aims to promote accessibility for all creatives. The concept emphasizes that when we create, our creative energy is unified. From many individual expressions, we become "One Light." The title also underscores the idea that each artist is unique, with their own way of translating and sharing that light, fostering a sense of unity and diversity within the creative community.

We launched the open call for One Light on August 1st with an application fee of $45. The open call will go through December 31st, and then we'll review the submissions and make a final selection. One of the jurors is Denise Plauché (M.F.A., illustration, 2014), who's currently the model coordinator at SCAD Atlanta. I look forward to seeing how the jurors' selections will shape the final exhibition.

My SCAD experience remains a source of inspiration. I get stopped at gas stations and in parking lots because I have the SCAD alumni sticker in my window. I'm happy to put on my pompoms and speak highly of it as a place that supercharges creative aspirations. The clout that comes from a SCAD degree means a lot."

Learn more about One Light and connect with Mark Biletnikoff on LinkedIn.

Sydnei Berry can kick it — and she's got the sneakers to prove it.

On a muggy summer morning in Boston, Berry (M.F.A., illustration, 2024) sits in her apartment across the street from New Balance's global headquarters, where she recently completed a yearlong apprenticeship as a lifestyle footwear designer. "When you're making a shoe, anticipate the needs of the person who'll wear it," she says, nodding from experience.

The cool, colorful footwear Berry worked on at New Balance is currently flying off the shelves at Foot Locker, part of a growing global sneaker industry that exceeds $80 billion in annual sales. The Men's 2002R in pastel blue and green, the Women's 530 in blue and white, and grade-school, preschool, and toddler editions all bear Sydnei's color choices. "By creating colorways, you curate different personalities, using color to translate and pop out and add definition to the sneaker," she says.

Let it pop: the New Balance 2002R, colorways by Sydnei Berry. Image courtesy New Balance.

Berry's New Balance sneakers will continue to hit market through 2026, and while her apprenticeship's conclusion is a moment for reflection, Syd serves her backstory with unabashed exuberance. 

It was in 2022, while walking to SCAD House in Atlanta, that she saw a poster announcing a new degree program at SCAD: sneaker design.

"I was like, Oh, I want to try sneaker design from an illustrator's point of view! I spoke with [sneaker design professor] Q Williams, showed him I'm proficient in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate, and he equipped me with a VR headset and got me up to speed."

When Berry arrived for day one of Digital Sneaker Design: VR to 3D Prototype (SNKR 475), she was, she says, "taking it just for fun." Williams believed she had the potential to transform the discipline.

"Sydnei was a unicorn," Q says. "SNKR 475 was made up of an even split between industrial design students and fashion students, and Sydnei coming in as an illustration student meant she brought organic forms in her own design language. Her ability to maximize her potential in sneaker design opened up a world of possibility."

Berry's coursework combined the avant-garde and the highly practical. Mention the chunky-soled hiking sneaker she designed called Gnawing Gnasher, and Berry beams: "If an animal sees you before you see it, but they only see your feet, what message are your shoes sending?" She attributes her integrated approach to Williams: "Q encourages you to be extremely imaginative, and then he'll ask, How would we go about actually making this shoe?"

Animal logic: Gnawing Gnasher boot designed by Sydnei Berry. Copyright Sydnei Berry.

Getting grounded in materials was a process for the Augusta, Ga. native who describes her own work as "extravagant" and "exploratory."

"Coming to SCAD in 2021 for my graduate studies, I wanted to segue into fashion while still working with illustration," Berry says. "I learned that what I wanted to do is called surface design. It means adding illustrations — hand-painted, screen-printed, or done digitally — onto everything from children's toys to a rococo corset to sneakers. We're essentially storytellers and can go into whichever avenue we want to take."

Professor Phivi Spyridonos taught Berry in courses including Illustration Markets (ILLU 735) and Directed Projects for Illustration (ILLU 742) and inculcated an appreciation for the limitless potential of surface design. "Sydnei built entire narratives — layered, personal, and visually striking — through her sneaker designs and illustrations, and her ability to merge concept and design with meaning was truly exceptional," Spyridonos says. "Plus, her kindness and positivity made her really stand out."

That compelling combo — call it Syditude — kicked in as Berry completed her master's degree and saw the LinkedIn listing for the New Balance apprenticeship. "I applied with a link to my portfolio, which was something my SCAD professors drilled into me — keep your website updated at all times, you never know who's looking!"

New Balance contacted her for an interview, and "I walked them through the shoes that I'd worked on at SCAD, and they saw I knew how to work with tech packs." An ensuing conversation with New Balance VP of Lifestyle Brad Lacey led to an offer of a one-year apprenticeship in Boston.

"New Balance immersed me in their work environment right away, in meetings with designers, working hands-on on the same projects," Berry says. She calls the New Balance workplace "communal" and mentions NB Gives Back, as well as company viewing parties for the 2024 Olympics, and her own adventures exploring Boston, a city new to her. "I went kayaking on the Charles!"

Contemplating what's next, putting her best sneaker-wearing foot forward, Syd smiles and sends a "big shout-out to SCAD!" Her sneaker design professor Q Williams says it best: "Sydnei is fearless, boundless, and knows how to adapt and get her vision across. She makes it happen."

Connect with Sydnei Berry on LinkedIn!

SCAD is proud to announce that three talented students have been named 2025 Gucci Changemakers: Jeremiah Elias (B.F.A., film and television, 2026), Courtland Walters (B.F.A., jewelry, 2025), and Sydnie Hicks (B.F.A., fashion, 2026) have each been awarded this prestigious honor and a combined prize totaling $60,000. They are newly minted members of the sixth cohort for the Gucci Changemakers North America initiative.
 
The 2025 Gucci Changemaker recipients were selected from thousands of applicants across the North American continent. The Changemakers program includes a multi-year $5 million Impact Fund for non-profit organizations and a $1.5 million scholarship program, demonstrating Gucci's commitment to creating lasting social impact in our communities and the fashion industry. Established in 2019, Gucci Changemakers North America is an initiative focused on increasing inclusion and diversity.
 
"This recognition fuels my commitment to creating bold, intentional work that bridges all of my skills, knowledge, and experiences," said Elias, from Riverdale, Ga. "My portfolio reflects my growth as a storyteller, where fashion, film, and movement intersect. Each piece reflects the lessons, risks, and revelations that have shaped me, showing a version of myself that I love and that continues to evolve."
 
"I am truly honored to receive the Gucci Changemakers award — being noticed by such a pristine house is surreal," said Walters, from Detroit, Mi. "My portfolio reflects my roots, inspirations, and love for sculptural design. From the bronze ‘C' heel inspired by Chicago and Detroit architecture to sterling silver eyewear featured in Vogue, each piece tells a story of collaboration, identity, and form. Jewelry, for me, is where structure meets self-expression."
 
"I am so honored and thankful to everyone at Gucci Changemakers for believing in me and helping me to accomplish my dreams," said Hicks, of Lithonia, Ga. "My portfolio is a mix of space-age fantasy, bold denim, and dramatic silhouettes, basically everything I wish existed in the real world. I design to make fashion more magical, more chaotic (in a good way), and to remind people that being different isn't something to tone down, it's something to design louder."
 
Elias, Walters, and Hicks were chosen for their outstanding works in film, jewelry, and fashion design, respectively. Elias is the first student from SCAD Film and Acting to receive this honor and Walters is the first jewelry major from SCAD to be named a Gucci Changemaker. This year marks the first time that more than one SCAD student has received the award.
 
SCAD faculty supports these students in the classroom, and praises their achievements.
 
"Jeremiah is a talented director, producer, actor, and performance artist whose unique storytelling style blends poetic intimacy with bold shapes, striking color, and a deep curiosity about the interplay between love and power, bringing an emotional depth and visual boldness to every project he touches," said professor of film and television Nabila Lester.
 
"Court's visionary approach where bold design meets powerful storytelling makes him a trailblazer," said SCAD Chair of Jewelry Design Jay Song. "Court's audacious sensibility and cultural awareness embody the spirit of our jewelry program, and we are so proud of him."
 
"Sydnie's work is sharp, intentional, and rooted in impact," said SCAD fashion professor Andrew Fionda. "I have no doubt she'll be a force for genuine lasting change in this industry and beyond."
 
Congratulations to Jeremiah, Court, and Sydnie, and to the SCAD Gucci Changemakers recipients who preceded them:
 
●      2024 Mariana Robledo (B.F.A. fashion, 2025)
●      2022 Nathan Batra (B.F.A. fashion, 2023)
●      2021 D'on Lauren Edwards (B.F.A. fashion, 2022)
 

Learn more about Gucci Changemakers 2025.

Here’s the scoop: Ella Corbett turns tiny props into big ideas for bite-sized frozen treats. Of all the aspects of Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches that creative marketing specialist Corbett (B.F.A., advertising, 2024) works on — influencer marketing, social media management, content creation, and more — one element may come as a surprise.

“The funniest thing is that our ice cream sandwiches are small. So, we have to source tiny props,” Corbett says. “And that's, like, such an important part of our day.”

As the art director for photoshoots, Corbett scours thrift and art supply stores. It’s not unusual for her to field a call from her boss announcing she’s spotted dollhouse benches and umbrellas out in the wild. Miniature beach chairs at Michael’s?  "I don't know what other people are using them for, but we're going to put ice cream sandwiches on them," Corbett says.

Totally chillin': Food styling by Diana Jeffra. Photography by Tyler Darden. Courtesy of Nightingale Ice Cream Co.

Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches first took shape in a Richmond, Va., restaurant kitchen and are now stocked at Kroger, Costco, and Whole Foods. Its founding owners, pastry chef Hannah Pollack and Belgian chef Xavier Meers, prize premium ingredients like 14% butterfat ice cream, fresh-baked cookies, and fresh produce. Corbett joined the team in January 2025 as the company prepared to launch its cult offerings like Banana Pudding, Strawberry Shortcake, and Cookie Monster at 2,400 Kroger stores nationwide.

When the job posting first popped up, Corbett was living in Richmond and seeking an in-person role. (In a full-circle moment, she had filmed a TikTok about the brand two years prior for a SCAD class project.) She reached out via DM to company leaders to introduce herself, express her interest, and share her skills. She soon found herself in a Zoom interview and felt connected to the company’s vision and team right away.

“I love Nightingale,” Corbett says. “Prior to me joining, they'd done a flavor collab with Duke's Mayonnaise, so I could tell they were so into fun, and I'm all about that.”

Corbett calls her job “a unicorn role, because I do a little bit of everything." Her day-to-day combines her creative interests across design, social media, copywriting, and video — the same mix of storytelling that inspired her to major in advertising and branding at SCAD. In one of her most memorable early assignments, she created mood boards and a vibe for each flavor in Nightingale’s limited-edition Spring Pâtisserie collection.

Blanket coverage. Food styling by Diana Jeffra. Photography by Tyler Darden. Courtesy of Nightingale Ice Cream Co.

She often takes inspiration from the beauty industry, as well as keeping tabs on fellow food brands. Her lifestyle shoots for Raspberry Croissant, Just Peachy Crisp, and Lemon Meringue Pie were a smash hit. And the brand’s fans — including a recent effusive DM from the bassist of My Chemical Romance, Corbett’s favorite middle-school band — couldn’t be more on board as the company flourishes.

"For one of our upcoming winter flavors, I had this crazy idea: What if we froze an ice cream sandwich in a block of ice and then melted it to make a gif?” Corbett says. “I called the food stylist and she was like, ‘We can do that.'"

As Corbett continues to churn out innovative campaigns and build the Nightingale brand, one thing's for certain: she has found her perfect flavor of success. "SCAD really prepared me for being ready to work with other people and to be a great collaborator."

View more of Ella Corbett’s work at byellacorbett.com.

"There is creativity and joy to be found in doing even the most menial task," says Chicago-based art director and copywriter David Harris (B.F.A. graphic design, 2018; B.F.A. advertising, 2018).

During an hourlong conversation, having discussed his major projects for clients in financial services (Capital One), digital literacy (Chicago Public Library), and salted caramel pretzel ice cream (Blue Bunny), Harris hits his core. "The key is to jump into the work, and you'll see it in a whole new way."

Jumping in is David's thing. Over the past decade he has created a deeply impressive work portfolio. "I've been with a large agency, small agency, in-house, remote, corporate, and non-profit," explains the current senior art director at High Wide & Handsome. "This increases my adaptability and allows me to see how resilient I can be. That can mean responding to a difficult critique in round eleven of something you've been working on forever. Sometimes it's just flowing through workflow."

We all scream: FCB Chicago launched Blue Bunny's first fully integrated campaign featuring its mascot Blu the bunny, with Harris as associate art director and copywriter. Result: 1.7. billion media impressions.

The 29-year-old's commitment makes him an exemplary SCAD alum. It's no wonder he was present as SCAD accelerated from being a cool school to a global brand in arts education.

"Watching SCAD grow has been awesome," Harris says with a smile. "I remember my sister saying, ‘Oh, on Pretty Little Liars one of the students is going to SCAD Atlanta now!'

"Really, it's about SCAD creating opportunities for students," he continues. "My junior year, I volunteered with SCAD SERVE as digital marketing director, working with Habitat for Humanity — that experience heightened what was already a transformative time for me."

"David is a bright light and a fount of positivity," says SCADamp communications coach Arlene Distel, who previously taught Harris in advertising and marketing classes. "When he learned that I had switched after fourteen years from being a SCAD professor to being a SCADamp coach, he was genuinely enthusiastic about my new role. He wanted to hear about how I help students present their creative ideas to the world with confidence. He exemplifies proactive professional communication."

This chimes with Harris's own mentorship of junior art directors and designers, and his dedication to purpose-driven projects, including design work with Rescue Agency and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. "Knowing that the hours you put in produce results is something I'm proud of. These are life-changing resources for people," he says. David credits graphic design professor Jane Zash with instilling in him the principle that "as designers, we use our creativity to try to make the world a better place."

A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Harris currently volunteers with the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission assessing grant applications. "From SCAD I gained the need to see what people are making in all parts of the world. Every time I return to Virginia Beach, I re-engage with the arts community in my hometown." Giving back and paying it forward are synonymous, he feels. "I care about art students. I want to see the arts flourish." He will continue to jump in and meet the challenge.

As the conversation winds up, Harris thanks SCAD for keeping in touch. Good guy. Arlene Distel states it clearly: "David is a natural."

Sweet work: Harris served as art director with Ferrara's in-house agency 1908X, overseeing the Trolli Sour Gummi Worms x Halo packaging design project. Assets for the Trolli x Halo Infinite video game release included this Trolli Xbox console skin.

Connect with David Harris on LinkedIn!

It began on a momentous day: SCAD Commencement 2021. You Li (M.F.A., interior design, 2021) stood on stage in Atlanta, receiving her master's diploma and the prestigious Excelsus Laureate distinction from SCAD President Paula Wallace. The occasion brimmed with excitement as Li ventured into the professional world of interior design, eager to tell stories through spaces.

Four years later, and You Li has fashioned a remarkable career as an interior designer at Gensler, the globally-renowned architectural and design firm. From conceptualizing bold ideas to traveling across the U.S. to inspect construction sites, her work blends aesthetic vision with practical execution.

Let the good designs roll: You Li with President Wallace at Commencement 2021. 

For Li, design is storytelling — expressing a client's vision and capturing a city's cultural identity through the artistry of spatial design. She transforms ordinary structures into extraordinary vessels of collective memory by mastering the interplay of concepts, color, light, and shadow. At Gensler, she works alongside construction teams, seeing every phase through from ideation to completion.

"Every design needs to stand the test of time, to tell a story today and resonate tomorrow," she says.

At SCAD, Li learned a vital truth about design: it begins with listening. Whether walking through a client's stables or sitting at their kitchen table, she immerses herself in their stories, transforming their needs into personalized solutions. "It's about understanding the purpose of design and weaving visions into actionable plans," she says.

She balances creativity with practicality, and communication with execution when aligning teams of engineers or presenting polished concepts to clients. Standout projects include a passenger lounge at San Francisco International Airport. Li sees the space as more than a waiting area. For her, the lounge bookends a traveler's experience, connecting the passenger to San Francisco's cultural heartbeat. She poured the city's essence into every detail of the 20,000-square-foot lounge.

"The lounge will tell a memorable story of the city's vibe and the airline's brand, even during a fleeting stay," she says.

Li is a trailblazer in modular design, contributing to Boise's first prefabricated bank branch. Prefabrication, often likened to assembling a life-sized Lego set, introduces efficiency to construction projects. "This project redefined the boundaries between customization and modular production."By modularizing components, the project reduced construction time, enhanced sustainability, and simplified long-term maintenance.

She credits much of her own growth to her time at SCAD. From mastering design software to experiencing accessibility challenges firsthand, her education grounded her designs in inclusivity and practicality. Her advice to students is simple and profound: "Use each project as an opportunity to explore what truly excites you. The classroom is your testing ground for the future."

Now, as an emerging leader with the IIDA and a LEED-accredited professional — her newest stamp of credibility is the Council for Interior Design's NCIDQ certification — Li is shaping the future of design.

"Design challenges you to listen, balance, and create spaces that inspire and endure," she says.

For Li, interior design remains an invitation to connect people with places and transform functional infrastructure into an enduring story.

Connect with You Li on LinkedIn.

An interior design by You Li (Handan, China) from her final SCAD portfolio.

One lobster. Two pairs of sneakers. Infinite impact.
 
Today, the fashion, seafood harvesting, and philanthropic worlds combine as SCAD Atlanta kicks off the Haddie Kicks Auction — a special event celebrating the viral fame of Haddie, the 1-in-100-million "cotton candy" lobster discovered off the coast of Portland, Maine by Get Maine Lobster in 2021.
 
The Haddie Kicks online auction features two exclusive pairs of student-designed sneakers unavailable anywhere else. The auction is now open to the public and closes on August 31, 2025. 
 
"The release of this project as SCADpro's first sneaker design creation is an excellent display of the creativity and innovation of the next generation of footwear designers," said professor of accessory design Q Williams. "I give major props to our students for their relentless hours of dedicating themselves to a goal that is bigger than themselves, one both functional and impactful."
 
Three SCAD students, Qinglong Zeng (B.F.A., industrial design, 2023), Rodrick Thomas (B.F.A., industrial design, 2023) and Ke Chen (B.F.A., fashion, 2024) took part in a 10-week studio course created by the university's innovative SCADpro program in partnership with Get Maine Lobster. Students and faculty worked to develop concepts for a unique sneaker and a comprehensive production pathway for the chosen design.

Kickin’ it: Professor Q Williams (seated) discusses sneaker design with student Qinglong Zeng.

Jesús Rojas Ache, vice-president of SCADpro and Innovation, said: "Haddie is one-of-a-kind and our SCAD students used that inspiration to create unique sneakers that combine innovative and sustainable designs. We are grateful to Get Maine Lobster for the opportunity to use our students' incredible talents to benefit the Captain Planet Foundation and future SCAD creatives."
 
Both pairs of the ultra-rare, Haddie-inspired sneakers being auctioned are as distinctive as the crustacean that sparked a global sensation on social media, reaching over 4 billion views worldwide. SCADpro is the collaborative design studio that connects current and future art and design professionals with business leaders to create solutions that wow the world — in this case, with an unforgettable experience curated to match the story behind the design.
 
"Haddie isn't just a rare lobster—she is a symbol and a reminder that beauty in nature is meant to inspire, not be exploited. That's why I created Haddie Kicks: to turn rarity into impact," said Mark Murrell, founder of Get Maine Lobster. (After being rescued by Get Maine Lobster in 2021, Haddie currently resides at the Seacoast Science Museum located in Rye, New Hampshire.) "Each pair supports marine conservation and scholarships for young creators. This isn't just merch—it's a movement."

On a roll: Professor Williams with students Qinglong Zeng and Ke Chen.

With a goal of raising $1 million, the campaign unites planet preservation and creative empowerment under a single mission: to make giving back, as sneakerheads say, "dope." 100% of proceeds will benefit the critical marine conservation efforts of Captain Planet Foundation, while funding scholarships for the next generation of designers and creatives at SCAD.
 
"Captain Planet is thrilled to work with SCAD and the Haddie Kicks effort to celebrate what is so special about our planet. Those funds will go to support the incredible youth working to ensure that we preserve and protect our world for future generations," said Leesa Carter-Jones, president and CEO of Captain Planet Foundation.
 
SCAD is the only university in the world to offer both a minor and M.F.A. in sneaker design, preparing students for the full spectrum of footwear possibilities in a booming, $80-billion global industry. SCAD SNKR+ students hone skills in sketching, rendering, concept development, digital prototyping, sourcing, and branding.
 
The Haddie Kicks Auction is a call to rethink how we give, consume, and create. By blending culture, conservation, and creativity, this initiative offers brands, bidders, and changemakers alike a chance to leave their mark on the planet and the next generation of designers. Haddie's story proves that even the rarest finds can spark the biggest waves.

Place your bid in the Haddie Kicks Auction now through August 31, 2025!

Drop the outdated dongle and expired earbuds and decouple all devices — it's time to booty-scoot to SCAD MOA for the final week of Corrina Goutos's exhibition Bivalves no Booty in the Alumni Gallery.
 
Future-forger Goutos (b. 1991, New York; B.F.A. jewelry, 2013) fuses fragments of mass-produced objects with raw natural materials to create unusual, conceptual, and often wearable artworks that resemble fossils from the future. In other words, old tech gets smashed, bashed, and put back together as uncanny, ugly-beautiful, even humorous artworks that upend notions of "raw" and "processed."
 
"How can I be a master of a material when that material is already a collage of so many stories and timelines?" Goutos asked, rhetorically and earnestly, during a gallery talk back in March with curator Brittany Richmond. "I created the concept of 'anthrosmithing.' Instead of being a goldsmith or blacksmith, I am a smith of the raw material of today, which is not raw, but an already-processed object."
 
Through "anthrosmithing," Goutos releases outdated tech from obsolescence, giving it new life that highlights how wearables shape identity. Bivalves no Booty features two series, Vestigial Trait Bait and the most recent BlossomVerse, which explore the tension between individuality and interconnectedness in our consumer-driven society.
 
In Vestigial Trait Bait, ancient shells merge with industrial hardware to create relics that blend the history of adornment with the concept of evolutionary appendages, reflecting on how technology has become an extension of the self. "I was inspired by the etymology, the word origins of 'shell' and 'skill' — they share the exact same paths," Goutos said.
 
In The BlossomVerse, the artist reconfigures porcelain shards and electronic waste into distorted artifacts that challenge capitalist ideals of perfection and subvert the corporate design trend of biomimicry. "It developed out of my trying to be more of a listener to the material and less [about] imposing my aesthetic onto neutral material," the artist explained, standing in front of a wall adorned with an original digital collage. "I tried to create a methodology for inviting more entropy into my process. I actually smashed a lot of porcelain figures."
 
Through these hybrid works, Goutos subverts sentimental attachments to technology and the choices consumers make via corporate coercion to discard or preserve, revealing how objects carry and transmit meaning over time like placeholders. A certain brand has certain connotations for an individual. "Nokia will be triggering, like, oh, the Nineties, my first phone!"
 
Thus, Goutos creates new totems of self-expression that evoke nostalgia and belonging. Technological remnants are fused with geological remains that embrace the uncanny beauty of growth, decay, and metamorphosis.
 
"In Bivalves no Booty my receptive touch dismantles anthropocentric notions of fixed thingdom; story-telling the two-way exchange of imprints, while jump-starting an industrial rewilding process," the artist explained.
 
The exhibition-opening gallery talk in the spring featured detailed questions from SCAD jewelry students, all of whom have their own relationship to technology — and to the totemic tchotchkes that this alum has transformed into art. "I create that value by giving it reverence," Goutos said.
 
"I really appreciate how much thought you put into all these pieces," curator Richmond told the artist. "That's why when you look at these objects, they're so powerful."

See Bivalves No Booty at the SCAD Museum of Art!