MKDA Senior Project Designer Lisbeth Jimenez was recently invited to co-teach a master class in design and architecture by Creative Art Works (CAW), a nonprofit organization that arranges art programs and classes for thousands of under-resourced New York City youth. The students were tasked with creating a mural for the Queens County Family Court in Jamaica and CAW believed it was crucial for them to understand the architectural and environmental factors of the surrounding space in relation to the mural. As such, the organization recruited Lisbeth, a seasoned design professional and adjunct professor at FIT, to present key design elements for consideration to the group –including a site and layout analysis, an introduction to proxemics, and an overview of basic design components and principles such as lighting, texture, color, and balance.

She also participated in a collaborative visioning session after the lesson and worked to further contextualize the main objectives behind the artwork. Stay tuned for images of the finished mural once completed!

“I have always felt very passionate about educating students in interior design and the visual arts, especially those who have otherwise had limited opportunities to engage in creative pursuits. The group was fully engaged in the lesson and quickly caught on to the concepts. I believe the students gained valuable knowledge that they can leverage in the future when working within a built environment. Thank you to Creative Art Works for having me and I look forward to coming back to teach another lesson soon!” – MKDA Senior Project Designer Lisbeth Jimenez, NCIDQ, WELL AP