Metropolis Magazine Recognizes Interior Design Students in Future100 List for the Sixth Consecutive Year
For the sixth consecutive year, UTSOA interior design students have been recognized on the Metropolis Magazine Future100 list. Congratulations to Fatemeh Shahvazian (MID I), Yuzheng Gan (MID II), and Brianna Cartagena (BSID)!
To learn more about this year’s winners, we asked them a few questions about their interests and time at UTSOA.
Fatemeh Shahvazian
What drew you to pursuing interior design?
My path to interior design felt like a natural evolution of my background in Architectural Engineering. I’ve always believed that for a space to really work, structural logic and human experience must live in harmony, one provides strength, and the other provides life. While engineering gave me the technical foundation, I felt drawn to the more intimate side of design. I am driven by the belief that space should be a living extension of the human body. I want to create environments that do more than just function, to design spaces that breathe, heal, and resonate on a sensory level. For me, it’s about translating human needs into experiences that truly elevate everyday life.
What were some of your favorite classes or most memorable experiences over the course of your time at the School of Architecture?
One of my most memorable experiences was collaborating as a Graduate Research Assistant with Professor Ria Bravo, John-Paul Clarke, and Kate Catterall. Working to redesign an Airbus A320 interior for inclusivity and sustainability was eye-opening. It showed me exactly how engineering and interior design converge to solve complex, real-world problems.
Beyond research, I’ve loved how our studios push us to bridge the gap between big ideas and technical reality. I really enjoy exploring how outside influences, whether it’s cinematographic elements, the laws of physics, or intricate geometric patterns, can define the spaces in-between and bring a conceptual narrative to life.
What are your plans post-graduation?
I’m looking forward to getting more deeply embedded in our design community and learning from the incredible designers who are shaping the industry today. My goal is to find meaningful ways to collaborate, contribute my own voice to the global design conversation, and build a network that feels like a true community as I start this next chapter.
Yuzheng Gan
What drew you to pursuing interior design?
I have several years of experience in interior design, which led me to realize that space is not only about function and aesthetics, but also about how it shapes people’s feelings and behaviors. Through my work, I became more interested in exploring how space can hold emotion, memory, and the relationship between people and their environment. I hope to understand this interaction more deeply through design, especially by translating abstract ideas, such as data or emotion, into spaces that people can physically experience. For me, interior design is not just about creating space, but about creating emotional connections.
What were some of your favorite classes or most memorable experiences over the course of your time at the School of Architecture?
My favorite experiences began with Clay Odom’s Production course. I engaged with works by various artists, which reshaped how I think about experiencing space, light, and atmosphere. In Hans Tursack’s advanced studio, I worked in a less conventional way by using animation tools like Maya to generate spatial ideas, exploring how simulation, digital physics, and geometry could inform design beyond traditional interior methods.
What are your plans post-graduation?
After graduation, I hope to continue learning and exploring more advanced ideas in interior design, while traveling to experience different cultures and aesthetics. I also plan to join a design firm to bring my ideas into real-world projects.
BRIANNA CARTAGENA
What drew you to pursuing interior design?
I was drawn to interior design when I was ten years old and moved from California to Texas, which marked my first experience of how environments could affect me. My school in California felt architecturally advanced, with wayfinding colors, expansive glass windows, and strong connections to the outdoors. In contrast, my school in Texas felt simpler, more enclosed, and less engaging. At the time, I didn’t fully understand architecture or interior design, but I could clearly feel the difference and how it influences my comfort, mood, and perception. From then on, I observed environments wherever I went. In high school, I explored design through design classes and became especially interested in how thoughtful spaces can influence how people feel, learn, and interact. This inspired me to pursue design as a way to create environments that support mental and emotional well-being and provide meaningful, impactful experiences for the people who inhabit them.
What were some of your favorite classes or most memorable experiences over the course of your time at the School of Architecture?
One of my most memorable experiences was my Advanced Studio class with Kyriakos Kyriakou, where we had the opportunity to travel to Athens, Greece. It was surreal to witness some of the oldest surviving architecture and see firsthand the historical roots of design. I have always loved history and how it continues to shape design today. I also really enjoyed my Design V class with Ria Bravo, where we explored creating dynamic, mobile interiors. I appreciated how the class challenged me to think critically about how design is evolving and how interiors can be as adaptable and flexible as the world around us.
What are your plans post-graduation?
After graduation, I aim to further develop my career and skills as an interior designer by learning from experienced professionals and creating spaces that are both innovative and impactful. I also hope to explore opportunities to travel, gaining inspiration from different cultures and design masterpieces.
