Schools
- Interior Arch. & Design
- Faculty Bios
Faculty Bios
Laura Blumenfeld
Executive Director
School of Interior Architecture & Design
Laura Blumenfeld is a graduate of the University of San Francisco and Academy of Art College Co-Op program. She brings over 20 years of experience in the field of interior design specializing in both commercial and residential projects. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Town and Country, San Francisco magazine, Interior Design and Metropolitan Home. In 2004, one of Laura's residential projects received a Distinguished Building Award from The American Institute of Architects. Laura has been teaching at the Academy of Art University's School of Interior Architecture & Design since 2004.
Ken Frieders
BFA Director
School of Interior Architecture & Design
Ken is a registered California architect, and began his formal design education with a BFA in Fine Arts & Art Education. Ken began studying architecture evenings in New York at the New School while working for jewelry designer Jose Hess. His first San Francisco design experience was an assignment to remove all Jeeps & giraffes from Banana Republic stores. Currently he works with commercial and retail clients to improve the customer experience. Ken has been teaching in the Interior Architecture & Design department since 2004.
Stephanie Smith-Haenel
Full-Time Instructor
School of Interior Architecture & Design
Stephanie comes to us with over twelve years experience in commercial interior design. She holds a BA in interior Design and is a graduate of the School of Interior Architecture and Design MFA program at Academy of Art University. Stephanie has been coordinating special projects for IAD since 2008. Stephanie teaches undergraduate and graduate courses both online and on campus.