(Angélica Lebrón Aponte pictured on left and Sasha Nahorski pictured on right.)

AMES, Iowa – Two Iowa State University interior design students are recipients of 2024 Association of University Interior Designers scholarships. The AUID aims to support and connect campus designers while advocating for the practice of interior design in higher education. 

Senior Sasha Nahorski is one of six undergraduate student recipients. Angélica Lebrón Aponte, a graduate student working toward her master of fine arts in interior design, is the single graduate student scholarship recipient nationwide. 

Nahorski, from Batavia, Illinois, plans to pursue a career in themed entertainment design. She focuses on incorporating storytelling and brand identity into her designs to create a memorable, immersive experience for all audiences to enjoy, she said. 

“I draw my inspiration from the creators behind Meow Wolf, which is an immersive arts and entertainment company that creates large-scale installations,” Nahorski said. “I enjoy being able to formulate a concept for a project and dive into creating a truly captivating experience.” 

Lebrón Aponte’s research focus is designing healthcare spaces for minority children with autism. Originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, she graduated with her bachelor of fine arts in interior design from Iowa State in 2021 and was named to the inaugural Metropolis Future100 list of top architecture and interior design graduates that year. She is currently a teaching assistant in the Department of Interior Design. 

With an emphasis on light and sound, Lebrón Aponte aims to design more inclusive doctor’s and dentist’s offices, she said. 

“My research has shown me the real impact interior designers can have in the healthcare industry,” Lebrón Aponte said. “There’s still a lot of misunderstanding around what those with autism need to be successful and comfortable in their daily lives. I want to ensure the spaces I design consider everyone who needs treatment.”

Contacts 

Angélica Lebrón Aponte, Graduate Student, Interior Design, amlebron@iastate.edu
Sasha Nahorski, Senior, Interior Design, sashan@iastate.edu
Lauren Johnson, Communications Specialist, College of Design, laujohn2@iastate.edu 

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