Academy of Art University (AAU) bestowed an honorary doctorate degree on Interior Design magazine Editor in Chief Cindy Allen last month during the School of Interior Architecture and Design’s Spring Student Show. Ms. Allen delivered a lecture to students attending AAU’s School of Interior Architecture and Design the following day, talking about the rapidly changing trends in design.
Laura Blumenfield, Executive Director of Interior Architecture & Design, and Cindy Allen with AAU Student
In announcing the award, AAU President Dr. Elisa Stephens cited Ms. Allen’s consistent commitment to design excellence through her work as editor of the most prestigious trade-oriented publication in the field. “Cindy Allen’s leadership in discovering and fostering emerging talent, championing the best in contemporary design, and producing an exemplary publication that never fails to inform, educate and motivate all of us is extraordinary ways. Her example is an ever-evolving inspiration and we are delighted that she will be coming to San Francisco to accept an honorary doctorate and speak with our students,” said Dr. Stephens.
Cindy Allen, Elisa Stephens & Laura Blumenfield
In addition to editing the magazine, a part of Sandow Media, Allen handles the selection of inductees into the Interior Design Hall of Fame at the annual event, which she co-hosts with publisher Mark Strauss. She also presides over the Best of Year Award competition, honoring the best in product and interior design, with prizes given out the evening after the Interior Design Hall of Fame event. She was also recently appointed chairwoman of DIFFA.
Serving over 18,000 students, the Academy of Art University was established in 1929. It is the largest accredited private school of Art and Design in the country. The student curriculum is kept current with the latest trends in the design and art industry with on-campus and online degrees and certificate programs. These programs include Associate of Arts (AA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) for undergraduate degrees, Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Architecture (M.Arch) for graduate degrees, and certificate programs for personal enrichment. With 18 majors, the Academy of Art University educates their students by using state-of-the-art technology within the most advanced facilities; placing the Academy, and their students, on the cutting edge of technology.