Another semester, another exciting array of opportunities for students to take advantage of studying in the heart of New York City. Explore just a few examples of group trips students took this fall: a class visit to the Frick, a behind-the-scenes look at a sustainable fashion brand, and an event at the Brooklyn Museum, featuring a Q&A with the one-and-only Spike Lee.
Drawing at the New Frick
On an early morning in September, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Interior Design Margot Kleinman met her students at the newly reopened Frick Collection for a private tour and drawing session.
“The Frick, and specifically a set of four rooms, is the case study for the Core Year Interior Design students learning architectural graphic representation,” explained Kleinman. “During the site visit, the students worked in groups to survey their assigned rooms, and each student chose a select detail in the room to document (a piece of furniture, door handle, architectural detail, etc.). Through various drawing mediums, the students have been learning documentation, drawing conventions, narrative and exploratory drawing techniques, relating the detail to the room as a whole.”
The Frick Collection has a particular resonance for the Pratt community; its recent major renovation and expansion was led by Pratt alumna and honorary degree recipient Annabelle Selldorf, BArch ’85. Additionally, many Pratt alumni work at the museum, including School of Information alumni who work in the collection’s art research library.
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![A mixed media artwork featuring a large archway with a tree visible through it. There are overlayed geometric shapes and illustrations of two figures, one on the left wearing a yellow jacket and another on the right dressed in vintage attire. The composition uses muted colors with elements like curtains, architectural details, and botanical imagery. The background has textured patterns and a wooden floor section visible.]()
Student work inspired by the visit to the Frick (image courtesy of Margot Kleinman) -
![A textile artwork depicting three arched curtains in shades of brown. The curtains are embroidered on a light fabric, with faint outlines of architectural elements visible behind them. Below the curtains, there are stylized representations of objects, possibly vases or tables. The artwork is secured to a wall with small clips. The artist's name,]()
Student work inspired by the visit to the Frick (image courtesy of Margot Kleinman)
Circular Design in Practice
Adjunct Associate Professor – CCE of Graduate Communications Design Katya Moorman and Adjunct Associate Professor of Graduate Communications Design Karen Dunn recently took their students to visit Return to Vendor (RTV), a company pioneering circular design through the use of a single, endlessly recyclable material: nylon. The visit offered students an opportunity to see how circularity functions in practice, from material engineering to product development to take-back systems.
At RTV’s studio, co-founder William Calvert and team member Amy Rauen introduced the class to the idea that designing with one mono-material allows every product to be returned, remade, and kept in circulation. For many students, seeing this approach firsthand made concepts discussed in class feel concrete and achievable.
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![A group of five people are gathered in a clothing store, engaging with a dark jacket. Two people are smiling as they look at a phone, while another is holding the jacket. The setting features a clothing rack in the background with various garments hanging. The walls are white, creating a bright and casual atmosphere.]()
Students explore clothing and shoes at RTV (image courtesy of Katya Moorman) -
![A young person wearing glasses and a dark hoodie stands in a store, pointing at a sneaker in their hand. The sneaker features a blue and white design. In the background, several people are browsing clothing items displayed on a wall. The setting has a modern, casual vibe with various apparel samples visible.]()
Students explore clothing and shoes at RTV (image courtesy of Katya Moorman)
Several students described the visit as eye-opening. Lonnai Wang, MS Packaging, Identities, and Systems Design ’27, was struck by nylon’s versatility: “I was amazed at how they could transform one material into so many different things. The furry fabric was the most impressive—you’d never guess it came from the same source.”
The visit gave students a deeper understanding of how systems thinking, material intelligence, and thoughtful design can work together to create a circular future. “They prove that circular design doesn’t have to cost more, and that was really inspiring,” added Liliana Cervantes, MS Packaging, Identities, and Systems Design ’27.
Talking Shop with Spike Lee
Students in Pratt’s Film/Video Department and Visiting Assistant Professor of Film/Video Justice Whitaker headed over to the Brooklyn Museum to attend “Advice of an Icon,” a Timberland event featuring a Q&A with director legend Spike Lee.
Trey Woodbine, BFA Film ’28, called it “an amazing and insightful experience,” adding that “hearing advice from such an iconic person as Spike Lee, both in film and fashion, was an exciting opportunity.”
