NEWH - Spring 2020 - 40

SCHOLARSHIP HEROS

Melanie Murata, 2014
Florida State University
I launched my hospitality career in 2014 with Gensler, working on projects with world-renowned
developers and brands such as Marriott International, Hilton, Shanghai Construction Group,
Pacifica Hotels, and Alliance Residential Company. During my 5-year tenure at Gensler, I developed
a solid foundation and understanding of luxury hospitality projects of all scales and established a
reputation in the industry. Since then, I chose Milan, Italy-the global capital of design-to continue
my work as a hospitality designer. Milan is living a special renaissance as a creative hub, and as a
young designer, it's the perfect place to push interesting and new work forward. Now immersed in
the center of the international hospitality design scene, I collaborate with the city's top boutique
design firms to work on ambitious projects such as an Autograph Collection hotel and a luxury hotel
and golf resort in Budapest, a retail exhibition in Dusseldorf, and more.

Melanie Murata

How the NEWH scholarship has helped me:
I was awarded the 2014 FR-One scholarship during my master's in interior design studies at Florida State University. I was flown to San
Diego to accept the award at the BDwest conference, which gave me the opportunity to meet the industry's top leaders. I credit this event
with helping me secure my first interview at Gensler. The scholarship made an impact in helping me complete my graduate studies and
enabled me to enter the industry with a strong network.

Advice for students:
Be bold, meet people in the industry, and create a strong vision for who you want to be.

Alvin Oei, 2016
ArtCenter College of Design
Since receiving the NEWH/Fabricut scholarship, I've been fortunate enough to collaborate in different
global design projects, from developing experiential retail concepts for Disney in Shanghai, to writing
a children's book for a pediatric burn clinic in South America. Currently, I am working full time with
experience design agency BRC Imagination Arts in Burbank, California where we develop story-driven
experiences for global brands (visitor centers, museums and exhibitions, hospitality projects). Outside
of work, my current goal is to start a design collective called CMD + Y that develops pro-bono design
work for social initiatives and nonprofits.
How the NEWH scholarship has helped me:
Alvin Oei

Photo by Peach Leelachart

The scholarship is a stamp of approval that there are industry leaders who believe in you, which
pushes you harder in school. The money is very helpful of course, but what's more important are the
relationships you build as you progress into the professional world.

Advice for students:
Stop focusing on how good your peers might be and hone in on what makes you stand out from the crowd. Competition in the job market
is higher than ever and it's crucial that anything that you do comes from an authentic place-both in creativity and purpose. We live in the
digital era and your work must live outside of the classroom. With that said, use social media and let the world know about the great work
you are doing now. Begin discussions, don't just join them!

Emily Osborne, 2019
Columbia College Chicago
I am about to begin my final semester at Columbia College Chicago as an interior architecture major
and am interning at Kuchar.
How the NEWH scholarship has helped me:
NEWH and Fabricut have helped me tremendously in my goals; their financial generosity has
allowed me to focus on advancing my career with a significantly lighter burden. Fabricut's
sponsorship also allowed me to visit HD Expo this year, which was a great experience.

Advice for students:
My biggest advice to other students is to not be afraid to put yourself out there! Apply for every
scholarship you can find, join committees, ask questions. These steps can be intimidating but are
essential to building your career.
40 www.newh.org

Emily Osborne

http://www.newh.org

NEWH - Spring 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Spring 2020