一个学生如何帮助室内设计课程提高标准

If the expression “a rising tide lifts all boats” can be applied to anyone, then Francesca Mak fits the bill. For the past four years, the 室内设计荣誉学士学位 student has been doing her best to live life to the fullest -- while bringing her classmates and others in her program along for the ride.

这些努力包括安排工作专业人士的演讲小组来学院，协调学生参观10个不同的设计工作室，单独旅行学习照明，家具，木制品，倡导为项目购买新软件，以及担任一年级学生的课程导师。

The final feather in Mak’s cap is the work she poured into the program’s grad show, which was held in downtown Toronto at Arcadian Lofts on May 1, attended 通过 some 350 friends, family and faculty, including 150 members from the design industry. Normally a smaller event that would take place at 密西沙加的黑兹尔·麦卡莲校园, Mak spearheaded the idea of making the show accessible to industry players who primarily work in downtown Toronto. 她知道这会带来额外的开支，所以她还主持了一个由八人组成的研究生委员会，筹集了2.3万多美元来支付学费。

麦嘉玲很快就对委员会的同学们为演出筹集资金的努力表示了感谢。

“This was a huge undertaking, and we needed each other’s support,” she says, adding that a big part of the committee’s motivation to make it a success was that the show was dedicated to former professor Cameron McKee, who passed away last year.

“I don't want to get emotional … but he was so inspirational,” Mak said. “He was so supportive in everything we did. So, yeah, I think that was a part of it.”

Program coordinator Miranda Craig says Mak’s efforts were a major part of securing the $16,500 obtained from sponsorships.

“I believe Francesca is being humble,” said Craig, adding: “I think it is safe to say that this is the most money any of our grad show committees have ever raised to host their show.”

The show, which featured work from 42 graduates, was named “Edge,” which Mak (who already has a job lined up at HOK多伦多) says was “to signify that we are at this pivotal moment in our lives where we're ending one chapter and starting a new one.”

“I think it is safe to say that this is the most money any of our grad show committees have ever raised to host their show.”

– Interior Design coordinator Miranda Craig

晚会的高潮是教师们为来自该项目四年的16名学生颁发奖项。 行业成员对专业水平和整体工作印象深刻。

“(Mak’s) project, Apricity, showcased a high level of creativity, attention to detail, and demonstrated both design innovation and real-world application,” said Reinard Sosroutomo, Design Lead at MackayWong. “Francesca is a standout graduate with a promising future in the interior design industry.” 克雷格说，有这么多业内人士出席并不是一件小事。

“In our current economy, where jobs are limited and everyone is concerned about what is happening south of the border, this grad show provides a unique opportunity for our graduates’ work to be showcased to employers who may be considering hiring a young fresh local designer,” she says.

Mak, a graduate of Western University’s visual arts program, said she woke up one day during the pandemic and realized “you have to really embrace every moment that life has to offer.” 所以，她坐下来，列出了追求设计梦想的利弊。

职业选手赢得了比赛。

从那以后，麦嘉玲获得了一系列荣誉，包括第一年最具潜力学生的新星奖，以及去年因她对项目的贡献而获得的On the Move奖。 Most recently, she and project partner Ashley Yachiw won an Award of Merit for the Interior Designers of Canada 2024 Student Competition “Innovation in Design Thinking” for their Certitude Advertising Office design.

“I went and applied for school, but applied to one school only,” she said. “My gut was just telling me that day ‘You're only going to apply to Sheridan. 如果它发生了，它就会发生。 如果没有，那就没有。’ Ever since then I’ve been really happy with my decision.”

If you would like to support Sheridan students, please consider donating at sheridancollege.ca /支持/捐赠.

Learn how Sheridan’s 室内设计荣誉学士学位 provides practical hands-on training in design software, project management, building systems and more.

图为（从上到下）Francesca Mak； Francesca Mak和室内设计研究生展委员会的其他成员； 以及多伦多阿卡迪亚公寓室内设计毕业展的与会者。