At Chairish, we’re committed to helping college students achieve their dreams and this month we’re excited to announce the recipient of our Fall 2019 “Design Your Future” Scholarship as Marian Roshdy. An architecture student at the University of Virginia, Marian was born in Egypt prior to immigrating to the United States. To commemorate her scholarship win, we asked Marian to share a little bit about herself, including the famous female architect she repeatedly turns to for inspiration and the unique family vacations that fueled her passion for architectural design!
Can you tell us a bit about how design factored into your life growing up and what made you want to enter a field connected to design?
To be quite honest, I had not considered design as a possible career growing up. I was always involved in making art, but artmaking always felt like a hobby and not a possible future career. However, as I got older, I started learning about design, and I began to see it as a functional form of art, especially in the innovative world in which we live in today. I then realized that I can turn my hobby into a successful career through design!
I chose architecture specifically because I realized that it has been a great part of my life growing up. When I lived in Egypt, prior to immigrating to the U.S., my parents would always take my sister and I on vacation to see ancient Egyptian monuments. The monumental architecture struck my interest, and I became increasingly curious about the field. As I became more knowledgeable about architecture and design, I realized that every aspect of my life, whether my artistic interests, my desire to create something meaningful in the future, or my cultural background, were directing me to the architectural field.
What excites you about a career in architecture?
A career in architecture would allow me to contribute to the community and the environment through my creativity and artistic ability. As I think of this, I remember Vitruvius’ theory of architecture. Vitruvius was a great architect who considered utility, durability, and beauty as the main principles of architecture. As I realized about this during my first semester of studying architecture, this is exactly why I chose architecture! I’m excited to design spaces that are delightful and unusual, but also ones that are useful, safe, and accessible to everyone.
How did you hear about the Chairish scholarship program?
I heard about the Chairish scholarship through my College Possible coach. College Possible is a program that I have been involved in since my junior year of high school. The program is made for low income or first-generation students like me, and it has helped me tremendously through the college and financial aid application processes. I was excited to see that I was eligible for many of the qualifications for the scholarship, and I was grateful to see Chairish’s consideration for underrepresented students pursuing a career in design.
What does this scholarship mean to you?
The Chairish Design Your Future scholarship means a lot to me. First of all, it means that there is a great company like Chairish that supports my pursuits and aspirations as a minority student pursuing higher education. It also means less financial anxiety and less worry about being a burden to my parents. As a student in the architecture school, it is difficult to have a job, so I’m obligated to turn to my parents for assistance with my personal expenses, especially for purchasing architectural materials. The Chairish Design Your Future Scholarship means I can worry less about the costs of upcoming projects and minimize financial burden for my family.
When not in class, what hobbies or activities can we find you taking part in?
When I’m not in class, I’m often working in the studio. Although I spend long hours working on projects, I often find the work entertaining! However, whenever I get the chance to leave the studio, or after finally finishing a project, I take the opportunity to spend time with my friends. We enjoy trying new food cuisines. If I have the time, I also work on art projects, especially embroidery. I find embroidery a very therapeutic activity that I can also make a little bit of money by selling.
If you could select a few items on the site to furnish your personal living space, what would those be?
I love that this Modern Chester Leather Sofa is so simple yet so distinctively Mid-Century Modern, which my favorite interior design style. The color is also very beautiful and can pair well with other furniture pieces in a living room.
I love the movement of this Mid-Century Modern walnut Bookshelf. I also think that would work well with the sofa above.
I love the simplicity of this pair of Paul McCobb Slipper Chairs, and I think that their color can brighten up the mostly brown-toned space with the sofa and the bookshelf.
The wood slab top and the brass legs on this Small Low Table with Brass Legs creates a beautiful contrast. I also love that this coffee table can bring nature into a space.
I learned about the Danish Modern style through the Chairish website, and it’s one of my favorite styles now! I think that these Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs are very simple but very unique. I also like their similarity to the Paul McCobb Slipper Chairs, so that they can create a similar feel in the dining room to the one in the living room.
I love this Ap-19 “Papa Bear” Chair and Ottoman chair! I love the vibrancy of it color and its comfortable and cheerful appeal. I think it can be a great feature in the lounge.
I think this Curved Wooden Light Sculpture With Warm Led Back-Lit Glow fixture pairs really well with the “Papa Bear Chair.” I love its beautiful sculptural movement and its warm hue.
I think this Danish Modern Jorgen Hovelskov Harp Chai would make a great outdoor chair! I love the rhythm that the rope creates and the way it imitates a harp.
Spring 2019
Focused on a major in civil engineering, Michelle is currently interning with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and honing her engineering skills like a pro. “As an intern, I’m excited everyday at work, taking in the wealth of knowledge from a person whose brain has saved lives,” says Michelle, “How cool is that? To become a sidekick engineer-in-training and try my hand at designing and estimating for myself would be like a dream.” To celebrate her scholarship win, we asked Michelle to share a little bit about herself, including how good design inspires her everyday and a few Chairish items she’s eyeing for her NYC dorm!
Shop Michelle's Chairish Favorites
Can you tell us a bit about how design factored into your life growing up and what made you want to enter a field connected to design?
My mom is very big on trying to find quality items; things that last for years so they can serve as hand-me-downs. I didn’t think about it much until she showed me that my jacket had a little cloth lip at the top of the zipper so that the zipper would not poke into my neck or zip up my hair. This is what design is to me: unsung considerations that perform well and last.
That’s just like our road system. A federal project may only come around once in a decade, so we need to design our roads to be safe and efficient for the long term. But much more than getting hair caught is at stake: a good design can improve livelihoods and save lives. It may not seem like it, but design, at least for civil engineers, is tangible, impactful work.
What excites you about a career in civil engineering?
Civil engineering is diverse! Even in just my summer internship, I’ve done computer drafting, traffic modeling and simulation, drainage plans, excavation and fill cross sections, pavement marking plans, construction visits, airport visits, culvert field reviews, guardrail field reviews—really cool stuff that keeps my brain challenged in the office and my body engaged in the field. There’s so many different design choices involved in engineering, and I can’t wait until I’ll get to see my own contributions put into use one day.
How did you hear about the Chairish scholarship program?
That’s actually a very good question; I don’t remember! My friends and I have a shared spreadsheet with each other for scholarships, so we add to our list whenever we see one pop up. The Chairish one might have been from there, in which case I think it was probably on a friend’s college’s “External Scholarships” page. (Sometimes it’s luck: once, my cat sat on my laptop and somehow took me to the page of a scholarship I’d never seen before!)
What does this scholarship mean to you?
I calculated (sorry, engineer here), and it means 175 fewer hours of working at my part-time jobs during the school year. It means 175 more hours I can spend learning about all the different concepts that go into civil engineering. 175 more hours that I can use to get involved with my community, talk with my professors, participate in civil engineering events, or even spend more time with my family. And that’s invaluable.
When not in class or studying or volunteering, what hobbies or activities can we find you taking part in?
I like really random things. I enjoy Chinese calligraphy, photography, art history, singing in Glee Club. I really appreciate going out in nature (but I also volunteer there, so does it still count?) and identifying the different birds, plants, and rocks. I like completing jigsaw puzzles and 3D wood model kits. Oh, and it’s weird, but I also find making PowerPoint presentations really exciting; I don’t know why.
If you could select a few items on the site to furnish your dorm, what would those be?
Wow, that’s a hard one! Especially thinking of my little NYC dorm room!
Let’s see…I like to have a solid desk to keep my things, but there’s always those times when I need extra tables for an event or for visitors. I’m not entirely sure how this Illum Wikkelso Teak Folding Tables Set works, but it looks intriguing!
I knew about hammocks, but I didn’t know hanging chairs existed. This Vintage Boho Chic Macrame Hanging Chair looks like a piece that would be fun to sit in and not take up too much room while in storage.
There are times when I’m in NYC where I really miss palm trees. If I had this Mario Lopez Torres Rattan Palm Tree Table Lamp it should satisfy the longing!
I have a set of postcards in the style of these Vintage Botanical Prints, but of birds. These would be nice to look at to calm down on stressful days.
My mom recently had to discard the old rocking chair that I loved at home. This 1970’s Charles Hollis Jones Gray Alpaca Upholstered Rocker would be a comfortable and modern addition while being different enough from my old one that it won’t feel like I’m replacing it.
I suppose this DeMott Brass Metal Sailboat on Quartz would be hard to fit in my dorm room, but the smooth curves of it are entrancing.
My favorite animal is the tiger, and I could see this Tibetan Tiger Rug being used to decorate a space that otherwise would be unused, like below a desk, perhaps.
Reproduction Eames Elephant: Cute and functional! What a fun piece!
Fall 2018
We’re thrilled to announce the winner of our 2018 “Design Your Future” Scholarship as Arly Gisselle Melendrez of Arizona State University. Arly is a junior pursuing a degree in industrial engineering at ASU, with a focus on sustainable energy and technology. As a leader of the Hispanic community, she’s a strong asset to inspire youth to pursue higher education and STEM interests and careers. Learn all about Arly in our Q&A below!
Can you tell us how design and engineering factored into your life growing up? What made you want to study it more?
Growing up, I always had a flair for math and science. I liked to take on challenges and understand the why and how behind everything. This is still true today. During high school, I was able to take an engineering course that broadened and confirmed my interest in engineering. Although there wasn’t anyone in my family who was in the field of engineering, I was interested from the very first time I heard about it, and knew I had to do whatever it takes to become an engineer. In addition, knowing that Latina women are underrepresented in this field gave me all the more motivation to spread STEM awareness in my community.
You’re attending Arizona State University and focusing on industrial engineering. What areas are you focusing on?
As I approach my senior year in Industrial Engineering, I am diving deep into my core Industrial Engineering classes. They are all fascinating to me. I could not have picked a more perfect major for myself. In particular, I can see myself pursuing a career in Quality Control in the healthcare field, and eventually in Engineering Administration once I have a few years of experience under my belt. I plan to pursue a master’s in Engineering Management once I finish my undergraduate studies as well. I love seeing the big-picture approach to things, and I also think a masters in Engineering management will also align very well with my outgoing personality and leadership skills.
What excites you most about having a career in a STEM-related field? The opportunities with-in STEM are endless. I am a curious person who loves to be out of their comfort zone and constantly trying new things. I also know that if I’m ever looking for a new industry, I can go anywhere with an engineering degree. Moreover, as I said before, I am a people person and I am so excited to be able to work in teams with other like-minded individuals who want to make a positive impact in the world.
How did you hear about the Chairish scholarship program?
I found the Chairish scholarship program on ASU’s scholarship portal!
What does this scholarship mean to you?
In addition to lifting a huge financial burden, this scholarship is motivation to continue working hard and give back. Knowing that a group of people read my story and invested time, energy, and finances to help me cover my attendance costs gives me hope. Engineering has not been an easy road. But I know there is a group of people rooting for my success, for which I am beyond thankful for.
Do you have any favorite products on Chairish?
Yes! I love this 1960s X-Base Lamp and Textured Gold Mirror. Ever since hearing about Chairish, I spend, admittedly, hours looking at all the awesome products!
Learn more about the Chairish “Design Your Future” Scholarship, or enter the running for the Fall 2019 award here.
