Interior Architecture & Design Faculty

Education:

• M.Arch from the Academy of Art University
• Bachelors in Business Management from Oregon State University

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• MSc. Arch. University of Texas
• M.Arch. University of Colorado
• B.Arch, University of Parahyangan

Industry Credits:

• Peace Fellow, Rotary Foundation – University of Chulalongkorn, 2017

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, California, Architecture)

Industry Credits:
Ivan is a designer and creative strategist with over 25 years of experience across architecture, interiors, and emerging media. He earned his degree in architecture from UC Berkeley and began his career at BA Architects in San Francisco, where he developed a strong foundation in modern design principles.

His design perspective expanded significantly during his time living in Asia in 2010, where he became increasingly interested in how cultural heritage and contemporary design can coexist in powerful and unexpected ways. This led to a return to Asia in 2015, where he and his business partner led several hospitality projects throughout China and Southeast Asia.

He is the founder of MANTL, a new design venture exploring the intersection of architecture + interiors, culture, and artificial intelligence. His work navigates the edges of physical and digital space, pushing toward new design languages grounded in clarity, atmosphere, and conceptual rigor.

In addition to his professional work, Ivan has taught at Academy of Art University for over 20 years, developing and writing several of the institution’s early online design courses for IAD. He has also served as a returning guest critic at the California College of the Arts (CCAC) Architecture Department, contributing to an ongoing dialogue about design education and its future.

• Over 25 years of experience spanning architecture, interiors, and emerging media
• Earned a degree in architecture from UC Berkeley and began his career at BA Architects in San Francisco, focusing on modern design principles
• Lived in Asia in 2010, where exposure to cultural heritage shaped his approach to integrating tradition with contemporary design
• Returned to Asia in 2015 to lead hospitality and cultural projects across China and Southeast Asia with his business partner
• Founded MANTL in 2025, a design venture exploring the intersection of architecture, interiors, culture, and artificial intelligence
• Work focuses on bridging physical and digital space, with an emphasis on clarity, atmosphere, and conceptual rigor
• Taught at Academy of Art University for over 20 years, including the development of early online design courses for the Interior Architecture & Design (IAD) department
• Served as a returning guest critic at the California College of the Arts (CCAC) Architecture Department, contributing to the evolution of contemporary design education

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:
Master of Architecture, University of Colorado (Boulder, Colorado, Architecture)

Industry Credits:
Dan Bohlen is an architectural consultant, illustrator, and developer based in Littleton, CO, originally from Denver. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Architecture. With a focus on creating an educational environment that incourages the mental, emotional, and social development of students, Dan believes that every student is unique. He strives to cultivate an atmosphere where students can realize their full potential by providing a safe space for them to share ideas, take risks, and direct their learning through curiosity and choice.

Dan finds that the most rewarding aspect of teaching at AAU is the synergy, which is dedicated entirely to the arts. This immersive environment allows him to experience student work across a variety of programs, which profoundly influences his growth as both a teacher and a designer. Outside of work, Dan is happily married, a father of four boys, and a proud grandfather of a granddaughter and grandson.

Dan’s work keeps him closely connected with the Colorado building community, particularly through his collaboration with Spector and Associates Architecture, a firm specializing in sustainable building practices. Through this partnership, the team received several prestigious accolades, including the Stephen H. Hart Award for Historic Preservation from the Colorado Historical Society for the renovation of the Austin Building, a 102-year-old National Historic Landmark at 2400 East Colfax. Their work also earned recognition as a U.S. Greenbuild Legacy Project, a Colorado USGBC Chapter Exemplary Project, and the Mayor’s Design Award for Nine 10 Arts, which involved the restoration and conversion of five buildings in the Santa Fe Arts District.

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• B.Arch., Architecture, University of Oregon

Industry Credits:

• Licensed Architect, State of California

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• BFA, Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design

Industry Credits:

• Past president, American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI), 2000
• Chairperson, BayWood Artists, 2025
• Exhibited many years in the ASAI member shows

Publications:

• Render Floor Plans with Photoshop

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design)

Industry Credits:

• Involvement in ASID, IIDA, and NEWH organizations, 2015+
• 8+ years of experience in corporate office, restaurant/hospitality, and residential interiors, 2016+
• Active mural artist in the Bay Area, 2023+
• 2nd Place, ASID Otto Zenke Design Competition, 2016
• First Runner-Up, Raymond Waites Design Competition, 2015
• Work Selected, Winthrop University’s 26th Annual Undergraduate Fine Arts Juried Exhibition, 2013
• First Place Award, Yorkville Artists’ Guild Open Art Competition, 2012

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Winthrop University (Rock Hill, South Carolina, Interior Design)

Industry Credits:

• Drawing Instructor Academy of Art University 1997-present.
• Faculty Mentor position AAU was chosen by the executive office to mentor Foundations department instructors and students. The job entailed being a liaison to the Faculty. I made classroom visits and observed instructors teaching methods then gave them feedback to support effective classroom strategy. Worked with students who were new to the college experience. Made classroom visits and provided practical advice to the students about being successful in school.
• Authoring online courses.
• Sketching for communication did 22 drawing demonstration videos for online builds. Designed and demonstrated each lesson.
• Perspectives for advertising Designed and demonstrated videos for online build. Supported revision of class.
• Artists magazine was chosen to write an article about my watercolor technique for the magazine.
• Palette talk Magazine wrote article about doing painting demonstrations directed to audience of artists who aspire to give proper demonstrations of various painting techniques. This was a step by step example of what is.

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education

• MFA, Communication Design/Interior Design, The University of North Texas
• Masters, Architecture & MBA Candidate, Course work in Architecture and Business Administration State University of New York at Buffalo
• Bachelors, Architecture, State University of New York at Buffalo

Industry Credits:

Gail Goldman, BArch, MFA, is a versatile, highly organized professional designer with excellent interpersonal, written and oral skills. Her career has involved diverse areas of the design profession and, as you will find from her resume, is definitely one who is continually striving to reach her full potential.

She began her career in the field of architecture and subsequently branched out into interior, product, package, user-interface, graphic design and art direction. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (including Graduate work) from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and an MFA in Communication (Visual/Graphic) Design and Interior Design from The University of North Texas. In addition, she holds two U.S. Patents for a product she developed and brought to market.

She is a member, by invitation, of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and was recognized as an outstanding instructor by the Zeta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at The University of North Texas where she taught in multiple design areas including: Drawing I & II, Design Foundations I & II, Graphic Design: 3-D Packaging, Graphic Design: Color Rendering & Production, Graphic Design Studio, Introduction to Graphic Design, Typography, Publication Design, and Interior Design Drawing.

Her interdisciplinary experience has provided her with the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to excel in the field of design education. Gail has been active in the professional design community for over 25 years creating diverse projects for both nonprofit and for-profit clients in the US and UK. She is excited to bring her education, experience and enthusiasm to contribute and be an asset to the Academy of Art University.

• Holds two U.S. Patents (Utility and Design Patents) for a product she developed and brought to market.
• Recognized as an outstanding instructor by the Zeta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at The University of North Texas.
• Member by invitation of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
• The University of North Texas, Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies Entering Masters Student Fellowship. This University-wide, competitive fellowship awarded full financial support for my first year of graduate study at The University of North Texas.
• Teaching Assistantships in: Interior Design, Graphic Design, Foundation Design Core, Foundation, Drawing Core at The University of North Texas.
• Teaching Fellowships in: Drawing for Interior Design, Color Rendering and Production for Communication Design at The University of North Texas.
• Participated in development of The University of North Texas: Graduate Teaching Assistant Mentorship Program.
• State University of New York at Buffalo Teaching Assistantship in Architectural Graphic Communication.
• State University of New York at Buffalo Graduate School of Architecture, awarded full tuition stipend.

Presentations:

FATE (Foundations in Art: Theory and Education) Conference, “Voyage”, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, Ohio Panel title: “A Foundation for Teaching: Training and Support of GTAs,” Paper: “Teaching in the Trenches: An Overview of Issues”.

Exhibits:

Solo Exhibition, “Recent Works on Canvas,” Lightwell Gallery, The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education

• M.F.A Degree: Interior Architecture and Design, The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence, Rhode Island; Design Excellence Award Winner; Graduated with Honors
• Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree: Advertising with Emphasis in Marketing, The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State); State College, PA

Industry Credits:

• Past President : The American Society of Interior Designers Northern CA (ASID) 2016/17
• President Elect – ASID Board of Directors 2015/16, Northern CA
• Director at Large | President Emeritus – ASID Board of Directors, Northen CA
• Allied ASID Member – 30 Years
• IIDA Associate Member
• ASID Design Excellence Award Winner : 2011, 2015, 2016 2017
• Adjunct Professor: The Academy of Art since August 2018
• Adjunct Professor: The Oregon State University since August 2023
• San Francisco Decorator Showhouse
• Inaugural Traditional Home Napa Showhouse 2013 and 2014
• Elle Décor Showhouse 2010
• Marin Showhouse 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011
• Widely Published in Numerous National and Regional Publications including Traditional Home Magazine, Elle Décor, California Home and Living, California Home and Design, California Homes, House Beautiful, San Francisco Chronicle
• Featured Designer on HGTV Television Series

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• MFA, Interior Architecture and Design, Academy of Art University
• MA, Psychological Science, Emphasis in Environment and Behavior Studies, Austin Peay State University
• BID, Interior Design, O’More College of Design
• BS, Chemistry and Psychology, University of Tennessee

Industry Credits:

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED AP ID+C
• Specialty in Interior Design and Construction
• National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ), Certificate No. 011591

Exhibitions:

• Design Educators’ National Exhibit, C3 Stool, Honorable Mention, Three Dimensional Visual Arts Category, 2004
• Design Educators’ National Exhibit, Flame Lamp, Second Place, Three Dimensional Visual Arts Category, 1997

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Industry Credits:
David has always been captivated building things. As a child, his favorite pastime was creating objects out of Lego and drawing. In junior high, he participated in wood and metal shop, as well as every art class available During senior year, David studied Independent Art, he served as a teacher’s assistant and was required to produce a drawing every week.

After high school David pursued Graphic Design and Industrial at the Academy of Art University, where he was lead model builder of Graphic Blade Studio. At Graphic Blade, David worked as a professional model builder, creating, photo models, prototypes of toys games, cologne bottles, in-store signage, and event props. Some of his clients included Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Teva Sandals, Muni, California Earthquake Museum, Hasbro, Parker Brothers, Usaoply, Mirvo Toys, P.C. Publisher, The Black and White Ball of San Francisco and The Gay Pride Parade Francisco.

David began teaching at the Academy of University in 2001. He teaches Perspective Drawing, Color Rendering, Elements of Design, Building, and the Design Process.

From to architectural models David has been building models for most of his life and continues to do so.

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• M.F.A. Interior Architecture & Design, Academy of Art University
• B. A. Environmental Sciences, San Francisco State University

Industry Credits:

• International Business Management Program, Nice France 2002
• Horticulture & Botany Certificate, Peralta College
• President, Full-scale Event Productions, 10 years

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• B.A., Interior Architecture & design, Academy of Art University, 2008
• B.F.A., Painting, University of Santo Tomas, 2000

Industry Credits:

• ARK In/Sight (2019, April)
• Little Big Rooms Book, Gestalten Publishing (2018, May)
• Modern Luxury Interiors (2018, October)
• Houzz TV (2018, September)
• Luxe Interiors + Design (2016, April)
• Archilovers (2015, November)
• SF Chronicle (2015, July)
• Inside Out Australia Magazine (2015, February)
• Oprah.com (2015, February)
• CA Home + Design (April, 2014)
• HGTV, Faces of Design Awards, Finalist, July 2017
• CA Home + Design Awards, Emerging Designer, 2014

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• MFA Interior Architecture and Design Academy of Art University
• BA Theology Bethany College
• BA English Literature Bethany College
• AA Culinary Arts Contra Costa College

Industry Credits:

• Member IIDA, ASID
• Author of 2 books
• Business owner/Principle Designer – Mark Miller Designs since 2000

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• B.F.A , Interior Design & Architecture, Center for Environment Planning & Technology(CEPT), India
• M.F.A, Design & Media Arts, School of Arts & Architecture, University of California, Los Angeles(UCLA)

Industry Credits:

• Namrata’s work and projects span internationally and in multiple disciplines – Interior Design, Architectural Lighting Design and Interactive Digital Media Art. Her recent works have been primarily in the area of Lighting Design for all types of commercial architectural projects as well as Interior Design for Residential projects.
• She has worked on iconic architectural lighting design projects like the SFMOMA(San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) Expansion, San Francisco International Airport Terminal 2, World of Coke Office Headquarters(Georgia) and Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA) amongst others.
• Namrata is a member of the IESNA(Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) and holds a Lighting Certification (LC) from NCQLP (National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions).

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education

• B.S. Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin Madison
• UC Berkeley Interior Architecture and Design

Industry Credits:

• Commercial design for Macy’s 2007-2009
• Art and commercial design consultant 2009-Present
• Instructor Academy Art University 2009-Present
• Board Member of Public Art for Alameda County 2025-2029
• Residential Designer 2009-Present throughout the USA

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education

• Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Leadership, Western Carolina University
• Bachelor of Architecture, The University of Tennessee (Knoxville)

Industry Credits:

• Former Architectural Designer for SpaceX

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:
B.F.A. in Interior Design, Academy of Art University

Industry Credits:

Creative and detail-oriented Interior Designer with 25 years of experience delivering timeless, functional, and visually stunning spaces across residential, and commercial sectors. Expert in leading full project lifecycles from concept development to execution. Proven ability to balance aesthetic vision with client needs, budget constraints, and technical specifications. Adept at collaborating with architects, contractors, and clients to ensure seamless design implementation.

• Lead Interior Designer, Vaso Peritos Interior Design, 2000 – Present
  • Led design and execution of over 300+ high-end residential and commercial projects.
  • Managed multi-disciplinary teams and coordinated with vendors, contractors, and consultants.
  • Developed comprehensive design presentations including mood boards, material samples, and 3D renderings.
  • Oversaw procurement, construction administration, and final styling for large-scale projects.
  • Maintained 95% client satisfaction rate and secured repeat business from
• Academy of Art University Instructor, Material in Use classes, undergraduate and graduate majors, 2024-Present

Awards and Recognition:

• Thermador kitchen design awards 2018 & 2022

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• PhD, Architectural Studies, University of Missouri (In-Progress)
• M.S., Construction Management, University of Texas at El Paso
• Bachelor, Architecture, New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Bachelor of Science, Architecture, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Industry Credits:

• Excellence in Design award, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 2012
• Urban Design award, Chucuito Shore Urban Design, Callo-Lima, Peru, 2023
• Leads an architectural studio in NJ, USA and Lima, Peru
• Speaker at EXPODECO, Lima-Peru, 2023 & 2024 editions

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• Master of Architecture at Georgia Tech Institute of Technology

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• M.A., Political Science, Stanford University
• Bachelor, Political Economy, UC Berkeley

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• M.Arch, Architecture, Boston Architectural College
• B.F.A., Interior Design, Pratt Institute

Industry Credits:

• AIA & BSA member
• Architecture Academic Portfolio Advisor
• Led research Reconfiguring Hazard-prone Zones: The Caribbean (Architecture)

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• M.S., Civil Engineering, Stanford University
• Bachelor, Architecture, UCB

Industry Credits:

• Awards, recognitions, grants, competitions: Speaker at several SF Design Center Annual Conferences from 2003 – 2013
• Department of the Army, Commander’s Award for Public Service, 2008
• Academy of Art University, Fostering Creativity in the Classroom Award, 2010
• Contributor- Interviewed for Club Business International, 2007, “Clubs of The Future”[Fitness], pp64-

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• Associate of Art, Graphic Design, Academy of Art University, 2014

Industry Credits:

• AIGA The professional Association of Design, Member
• Good Type Good Guild, Member, 2024
• Bar Branding Project Recognized in Eater San Francisco, 2020
• Noted in community newsletter for thoughtful contributions to design conversations and brand storytelling.
• Typism Conference, Speaker, 2018
• 11+ years Graphic Design Experience

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• MFA, Interior Design, Florida State University
• BS, Interior Design, Florida State University

Industry Credits:

Lauren Trujillo holds Bachelor (2006) and Master of Fine Arts (2014) degrees in interior design from Florida State University. She is a licensed interior designer (ID5858, since 2011) and was a LEED Green Associate (2017 through 2019). Since completing her graduate studies, Lauren has served as an adjunct interior design and art history professor at state and private colleges. In addition, Lauren has created original course content for deployment on ground, online, synchronously, asynchronously and in hybrid formats for home staging programs, two-year Associate degree programs, and four-year bachelor’s programs at CIDA-accredited colleges. Lauren has also created ADA-compliant master course content at the staging certificate, Associates, and Bachelor level that is used by professors within the various state and private interior design programs for which she has worked.

In addition to teaching and creating course content, Lauren regularly participates in professional development opportunities to improve the quality of her instructional methods and delivery and to ensure that the educational content she creates is learner-centered and inclusive. Lauren has published several articles on intercultural design and most recently the book, Homelessness and the Built Environment: Designing for Unhoused Persons, with her colleagues at Florida State University.

Lauren Trujillo is an experienced educator who has been involved in online education since 2014. Lauren has first-hand experience with how educators and institutions interact with online educational content and how this interaction affects their programs and their students’ learning experience. As a result of this experience, Lauren can forecast challenges and see opportunities for growth and refinement throughout the development of an online educational program.

Awards and Honors:

• IDEC Book Award (Homelessness & the Built Environment: Designing for Unhoused Persons) 2022
• Member of the FSCJ Adjunct Academy (2021)
• FSCJ Distinguished Adjunct Award Nominee (2020, 2023)
• IDEC Annual Service Award (2018)
• ASID Joel Polsky Academic Achievement Award (2014)
• FSU Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award Nominee (2014)
• FSU Research and Creativity Award (2014)
• IDEC South Regional Best Abstract Award (2013)
• IDEC Graduate Travel Grant Award (2013)
• FSU Congress of Graduate Students Travel Grant Award (2013)
• FSU O’Brien Graduate Scholarship Recipient (2013)
• FSU Academic Leadership Award (2013)

Publications:

• Pable, J., McLane, Y., Trujillo, L. (2023). Sense of Community, Health, and Built Environment. IDEC Exchange 2023. p. 17.
• Pable, J., McLane, Y., Trujillo, L. (2021). Homelessness and the Built Environment: Designing for Unhoused Persons. Routledge.
• (Refereed) Trujillo, L. & Waxman, L. (2016). Designing the melting pot: Physical attributes of the intercultural campus. The Journal of Art for Life. 8(3). p. 1-21.
• Trujillo, L. (2016). Intercultural connection in the student union. Association of College Unions International Bulletin. p. 38-43.
• (Refereed) Trujillo, L. & Bulone, P. (2015). Creating connections: The collaborative timeline approach. IDEC Exchange 2015. p. 21.

Refereed Presentations:

• Trujillo, L. (2022). Interiors Refined. Presentation at the FSCJ Faculty Workshop on Equity and Inclusion (FWEI). Jacksonville, FL.
• Trujillo, L. & Waxman, L. (2014). Designing for Diversity: Campus Design Preferences of International and Domestic Students. Presentation at the 2014 Interior Design Educator’s Council (IDEC) Regional Conference. Tallahassee, FL.
• Disarming the Bomb of Millenial Stress in the Interior Design Curriculum: A Discussion of Effective Strategies. Panel presentation at the 2014 Interior Design Educator’s Council (IDEC) Regional Conference. Tallahassee, FL. (authors Kendall, C., Etheredge, J., Moody, D.) (Presenters Pable, J., Beals, R., Ventura, R., Sickler, S., Trujillo, L.).
• Trujillo, L. & Waxman, L. (2014). Enriching through understanding: Facilitating the adjustment of international students through meaningful and personal intercultural connections. Poster presented at the 2014 Art and Design for Social Justice Symposium. Tallahassee, Florida.
• Trujillo, L. & Waxman, L. (2013). Campus as a Melting Pot: Designing to Support Intercultural Connections Among Students. Poster presented at the 2013 Interior Design Educator’s Council (IDEC) Regional Conference. Peachtree City, Georgia.
• Trujillo, L. & Waxman, L. (2013). Different Cultures, Same Space: Shared spatial preferences of a multicultural student group. Presented at the 2013 Comparative International Education Society (CIES) Regional Conference. Tallahassee, Florida.

Service:

• Member-Program Review and Assessment Committee for RMCAD (2019-2023)
• Ambassador-CIDQ Ambassador Program (2017-2020)
• Member-Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) (2014-2020)
• Member-IDEC Teaching Collaborative (2016-2018)
• Member-at-Large-IDEC Academy (2014-2018)
• Facilitator-LEED GA study group (2017)
• Revit Instructor-Front Burner Brands (2016)
• Reviewer-CIDQ Resource Review Task Force (2016)
• Reviewer-Fairchild Books (2016)
• Assistant Coordinator-CIDA Accreditation for Sanford Brown College (2015)
• Research Assistant to the Faculty Grant Writers at Florida State University (Fall 2013)

Professional Development:

• Adjunct Academy-Florida State College of Jacksonville (2021)
• Interior Design Educators Council Regional Conferences (2013 & 2014)
• Comparative International Education Society Regional Conference (2013)
• Art and Design for Social Justice Symposium (2014)
• Gensler/FSU Visual Communications Immersion Experience -Washington D.C. (2014)
• Ringling Museum Decorative Arts and Furniture History Program (2013)
• Pandora School of Art-Tuscany, Italy
• FSU Studies in Design-London, Paris, Milan

Position: Part-Time Instructor

Education:

• BS, Interior Design, Florida International University

Industry Credits:

• NCIDQ 021951
• IIDA, Professional Member