Aanya Arora is a designer who specializes in . She is passionate about human-centered interdisciplinary design. Currently ︎︎︎ Exhibition Design Intern and ︎︎︎ Freelance Exhibit Designer.

She recently graduated from ︎︎︎Rhode Island School of Design in 2024 with a Bachelor of Architecture and previously was a Preperation & Installation Assistant at ︎︎︎ .

Latest News

︎︎︎‘The Most Exciting US Art Exhibitions in 2025’ | The Guardian

︎︎︎‘SEGD Love Stories - Aanya Arora’ | SEGD

︎︎︎‘Smarter Startups’ | Arch Newspaper

︎︎︎‘Plan for the Planet’ | Khaleej Times Article

Here’s what people have to say

“Aanya brings a unique blend of creativity, technical expertise, and strategic thinking to every project she undertakes. She approaches challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset, demonstrating professionalism, insight, and a remarkable ability to adapt to complex projects.” – Saul Drake, Exhibits Project Director, Smithsonian Instituition Traveling Exhibition Service

“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Aanya through her incredible work supporting our SEGD Professional Practice Group for Museum Exhibition and Experience Design. She is one of the most organized, proactive, and professional volunteers I’ve worked with.” – Cybelle Jones, CEO, SEGD

“Aanya is an inquisitive and creative designer and 3D problem-solver. She’s exceptionally self-motivated and eager for opportunities to apply her considerable design and organizational skills.” – Stephen Wing, Manager of Installation & Preparation, RISD Museum

“Aanya is nothing short of fabulous. Not only is Aanya a talented designer, but she is also smart, articulate, passionate, ready to roll up her sleeves, and wise beyond her years. It is a pleasure to know and work with her.” – Steven Rosen, CEO/Founder, Available Light

When not designing, she can be found observing the world through watercolor sketching. Follow ︎︎︎@watercolorsketcher for more.

Education

︎︎︎ Rhode Island School of Design | BArch 2024
︎︎︎ Brown University | 2023 - 2024
︎︎︎ Royal Danish Academy | 2022

Experiences

Leadership

Awards / Grants

︎︎︎Terra Carta Design Lab Semi Finalist | 2024
︎︎︎ Maharam STEM Fellow | 2023
︎︎︎RIBA/D’Agata Merit Scholarship | 2022
︎︎︎RISD Honor’s Recipient, GPA 3.82 | 2018–2024

News

︎︎︎‘The Most Exciting US Art Exhibitions in 2025’ | The Guardian | January 2025
︎︎︎‘Sustainability Innovation During Climate Week NYC 2024’ | RISD News | Sep 2024
︎︎︎‘Smarter Startups’ | The Architects Newspaper | September 2024
︎︎︎‘SEGD Love Stories’ | SEGD Newsletter | August 2024
︎︎︎‘Plan for the Planet’ | Khaleej Times Article | July 2024
︎︎︎ Terra Carta Design Lab, RISD Press Release | June 2024
︎︎︎ Terra Carta Design Lab, RISD Instagram Post | June 2024
︎︎︎ Terra Carta Design Lab, RISD Alumni Instagram Post | June 2024
︎︎︎ Terra Carta Design Lab, Goal House Instagram Post | June 2024
︎︎︎ ‘Re-configure’ | desi-gned Magazine Article | Issue 2 | May 2024
︎︎︎ RISD Instagram Spotlight | April 2024
︎︎︎ TEDxRISD: Echo, RISD News | March 2024
︎︎︎ TEDxRISD: Echo, RISD Instagram Post | March 2024
︎︎︎ Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch | March 2024
︎︎︎ Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch, RISD Museum News | November 2024
︎︎︎ Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch, RISD News | November 2024
︎︎︎ Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch, Brooklyn Rail | November 2024
︎︎︎ Social Justice and Sustainability Maharam Fellow, RISD News | July 2023
︎︎︎ TEDxRISD: Unravel, RISD News | March 2023