How one student helped the Interior Design program raise the bar

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 Honours Bachelor of Interior Design 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.

Those efforts have included things such as arranging for speaker panels of working professionals to come to the College, coordinating visits by students to 10 different design studios, separate trips to learn about lighting, furniture, millwork, advocating for the purchase of new software for the program, and working as a course tutor for first-year students.

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 by some 350 friends, family and faculty, including 150 members from the design industry. Normally a smaller event that would take place at Hazel McCallion Campus in Mississauga, Mak spearheaded the idea of making the show accessible to industry players who primarily work in downtown Toronto. Knowing the additional expenses that would incur, she also chaired the eight-person grad committee that raised more than $23,000 to pay for it.

Mak is quick to credit her fellow classmates on the committee for their work in raising the money to pay for the show.

“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 Toronto) 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

The evening was capped by faculty handing out awards to 16 students from all four years of the program. Industry members were impressed with the level of professionalism and overall work.

“(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.” Craig said having so many industry people in attendance is no small thing.

“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.” So, she sat down and made a list of the pros and cons for pursuing her dream of studying design.

The pros won the day.

Since then, Mak has been collecting a slew of accolades, including the Rising Star award for most promising student in first year and the On the Move award for her contributions to the program last year. 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. And if it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, it doesn't.’ Ever since then I’ve been really happy with my decision.”

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Learn how Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Interior Design provides practical hands-on training in design software, project management, building systems and more.

Pictured in story are (from top to bottom) Francesca Mak; Francesca Mak and other members of the Interior Design grad show committee; and attendees at the Interior Design grad show at Arcadian Lofts in Toronto.