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HOUSE MAGAZINE
NOV/DEC 2009

The Metropolitan Institute Of Design moves its designers to a new spacious facility.  By: Jane Sullivan

The Metropolitan Institute Of Design (MID), which offers two diploma programs in Practical and Advanced Interior Design, recently moved to a spacious new facility at 200 Oak Drive, Syosset. According to MID’Äôs president, Anthony E. Maceli, the newer 5,500-square foot contemporary building allows for a larger classrooms and communal areas, including libraries, conference and study rooms.

Although the plans to move to Syosset from their former Plainview location had been in the works for some time, Maceli suggests that the moved couldn’Äôt have been better timed. MID, he explains has long filled a special niche locally in the education of interior design, due to its enrollment focus on mature students-those changing careers after years in other fields or at home.

"At a time when the economy is causing many to pursue new directions,’Äù says Maceli, ’Äúour ability to handle more such students-and in a beautiful and more comfortable environment-is very helpful to the Long Island community.’Äù He adds that present MID students, in addition to being from other artistic backgrounds, include former lawyers as well as three former investment backers.

According to MID administrators, in their 35 years as an educational institution, between 375 and 400 students have already been certified by their school. ’ÄúWe have graduated some of the top interior designers of the region,’Äù says Maceli.

In addition to indoor and outdoor residential design, Maceli says some MID graduates specialize in office planning, retail, restaurant and hotel interior design.

’ÄúWe find that about 80 percent of those who enroll graduate,’Äù he adds. ’ÄúMost of our students have been to college and are accustomed to a study discipline. They range from about 30 years of age to about 50 with a few under 30,’Äù he says.

MID’Äôs classes are held during the hours that best suit mature students-that is mostly in the morning,’Äù says Maceli, ’Äúand they are usually finished by 1:30 pm.’Äù

’ÄúIn total, forty-three interior design courses are offered, as well as regular enrichment seminars.’Äù Students, he adds, study architectural detailing including floor plans, home renovations and construction codes. ’ÄúWe also teach our students how to focus on the selection of interior items within a space, such as furniture, accessories, finishes and room layout.’Äù

Presentation skills are also emphasized. ’ÄúBeing able to make a good public presentation is important to a student’Äôs future success,’Äù says Maceli.

Schools administration officials say that design professionals, art historians and architects serve as instructors and lectures at MID in their areas of specialization.

One such practicing interior designer, author and MID educator is Susan J. Slotkis. Slotkis is the founder and chief designer of her own firm, Profiles-Professional Interiors, and her book Foundations of Interior Design is used in course study at MID.

’ÄúIn one of my classes,’Äù says Slotkis, ’ÄúI take information about previous lifestyles and design styles and show how they apply to current trends and our present way of life. One of my assignments requires students to chose a historical period as the inspiration behind the design of a restaurant’Äôs motifs, colors, layout and furnishings.

’ÄúWith this project, students consider ’Äòhow did people eat at that time--at small intimate tables or did they eat in a communal way,’Äù says Slotkis. ’ÄúIt’Äôs not that the students would design a medieval restaurant or kitchen or dining room but they would express the communal spirit without everybody eating with their fingers,’Äù she smiles.

Slotkis first earned a master’Äôs degree in social work from Boston University. Later, she changed careers, graduating with honors in interior design studies at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT/SUNY). ’ÄúFIT’Äôs historical style classes opened my eyes. I would walk around Manhattan as if I was a tourist, staring at the gargoyles on the churches and reveling in the varied and exciting architecture.’Äù

Slotkis adds that the students at MID find these courses life-transforming. ’Äúone of my students said recently that she was accustomed her whole life to being the quiet one when they went out with friends. And now, within just one semester at MID, allears and eyes seem to be on her.’Äù

’ÄúWhen our students are in a restaurant,’Äù says Slotkis, ’Äúthey can understand how  the lighting is affecting the experience, how the colors and furniture are contributing to the dynamics of the space. People are fascinated by that.’Äù

In speaking of  interior design education, Slotkis emphasizes that you can never get too much of it. ’ÄúThe instructors at MID definitely keep their skills up, learn new regulations, new products and new applications. It’Äôs not just about the aesthetics of a space.’Äù

One of today’Äôs new trends, says school trustee, Sherry Schweitzer, is ’Äúgreen’Äù interior design. Beyond particular wood or trees that are endangered from over-cutting, at MID students learn about sustainability in many ways related to the earth’Äôs resources.

Schweitzer, who owns her own successful event planning business, says that as a trustee she focuses on how to market the school in a way that shows how studying at  MID can help students build their own businesses for today.

’ÄúThey can get an interior design education without having to take on difficult math and science courses in order to develop a wonderful career.’Äù

            In her own business, event planners, she explains, often use interior designers for the table settings, as well as for help with the flooring for tents, and with the decorative fabric and lighting for high-end events. ’ÄúBut there are many ways those educated in interior design can specialize.’Äù Most importantly, says Schweitzer, MID helps students own self worth to be brought forward.

Schweitzer explains that MID’Äôs new location has allowed the school to expand their techno base, ’ÄúThere’Äôs a new computer course under development, and more computers and programs for class courses and individual study are available. Years ago, one had to sketch out the plans - do layouts by hand - often changing them over  and over. But now its all computerized.’Äù

Trustee Schweitzer is particularly proud of the great care school administrators have taken to ensure that the new facility is eco-friendly in its dˆ©cor as well as inviting. ’ÄúIt’Äôs a very soothing and comfortable place. There are many people out there - both men and women - who’Äôs children may now be in high school and who are asking themselves: where do I go from here?’Äù she says.

The institute’Äôs president, Anthony E. Maceli suggests that, for some, MID might the answer they are looking for. ’ÄúHere students learn they are not vulnerable to others and that their own efforts bring the rewards. Our experience is that some begin working professionally before they even graduate.’Äù

In addition to their main focus on interior design programs, the school offers diploma courses in fashion design and feng shui. Administrators say that all diplomas are issued by the school through New York State’Äôs Department of Education.

MID frequently holds free interior design seminars that are open to the public.

Testimonials

’ÄúMetropolitan gave me a solid foundation on which I have built my interior design firm. My teachers were really top rate - it was an intensive 144 hours of design coursework. They encourage me to reach higher than even I had planned for myself. My career has been on a fast track, and I used he knowledge that I gained at MID everyday in my business.’Äù
- Marlaina Teich Designs, Corp.

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’ÄúI chose to go to the Metropolitan Institute Of Design to pursue my creative passion and to fulfill my desire to become an interior designer. I began classes in 2003 and graduated in 2005, immediately opening my freelance interior design corporation, Creative Design by Ellen Sender Inc. MID is great because it offers many elective classes to suit one’Äôs interests. The programs are great for anyone with a busy schedule, especially for family oriented mothers  such s myself. This summer I will complete my degree with an advance diploma and become an allied ASID member. MID Helped Me Gain the self-esteem and confidence needed to become a successful interior designer.’Äù
- Ellen Sender
Creative Design by Ellen Sender, Inc.

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’ÄúThe Metropolitan Institute Of Design helped turn us from passionate students to professional designers.’Äù  ’ÄúOur top-notch education gave us the skills and visionary thinking required to create beautiful spaces that reflect individual needs.’Äù
- Rena Apotsos and Holly Bilello, Owners of Creative Home Interiors.

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’ÄúOne of the decisions I ever made in my life was to enroll in classes at the Metropolitan Institute of Interior Design. Having an interest in interior design, I had previously enrolled in classes at my county’Äôs community college. It was okay, but I didn’Äôt feel confident to pursue a career in the industry afterward. I used the experience for my own personal use after I purchased my first home. It still didn’Äôt save me from making costly errors. The educators at the ’ÄòMet’Äô were amazing! They nurtured my creativity, taught me great skills, offered wonderful resources and prepared me for a career in commercial and residential design. Today I own a successful full-service interior design firm which offers commercial and residential services, celebrating our 25th year with two locations. I know I could not have had this success without the education I received from the Metropolitan Institute of Interior Design.’Äù
- Deborah Vasser
Owner, Deborah Vasser Interiors