Bachelor of Interior Design student Noora Aziz is preparing to leave Yorkville University with more than just a degree in hand – when she graduates at the end of this term, she’ll do so with two awards from the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) and the pride of presenting her thesis project at Yorkville’s recent Graduate Showcase.
Aziz’s Innovation in Design Thinking Award-winning Canvas of Thrives project is a 24,516 sq. ft. multi-use facility designed to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through art-based therapeutic interventions.
The centre integrates therapeutic and management offices, a pediatric clinic, a research department, an art school, a sensory room, and an art gallery – all under one roof.
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More than just a design concept, the project reflects Aziz’s commitment to human-centered, sensory-sensitive, sustainable, and biophilic design principles. By creating an environment that supports emotional expression, sensory-motor development, and social skills, she said the centre empowers neurodiverse children and their families while also fostering community awareness and inclusivity.
For Aziz, the project is deeply personal.
“My inspiration for this project comes from having a family member who has kids on the autism spectrum and seeing the challenges the parents go through every day,” she said.
“I also believe in the power of art. There’s a shortage of specialized art-based therapy for kids with autism, so I wanted to create something that helps kids and hopefully makes a change in their lives.”
Aziz’s journey to interior design wasn’t a straight path. She earned her first degree in Biology, but she decided during the pandemic to pursue her childhood dream of a career design.
As a busy mother of two, however, she knew she needed flexibility in order to achieve that goal – something Yorkville University’s online and hybrid programs provided.
“Yorkville helped me (make this shift). Yorkville’s professional instructors paved the way for me to gain this knowledge and be in this position today,” she said.
Her advice for others considering a career change?
“Just follow your dreams. Put the goal in front of you and go for it.”
Aziz’s project was among many innovative student works presented at Yorkville’s second annual Graduate Showcase, which this year brought together students from both the Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) and the Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA) programs for the first time.
“The joint Graduate Showcase today boldly embraces ambition, curiosity and the spirit of creative exploration,” said Angela Antohi-Kominek, Principal and VP Academic at Yorkville’s Ontario Campus. “
“This is one of my favourite events of the year,” added Reem Habib, Program Chair of the BID. “It fills us with enormous pride to see the students reaching these milestones and achieving success.”
