Faculty

Profile

Aviva Maya Shulem (she/her) has been involved in design from an early age. After moving to New York City, she embarked on a successful career in the design industry. with a degree of Product-Industrial Designer from Parsons School of Design, she joined Donghia, Inc., where she focused on designing luxury furniture, lighting, and home accessories. Later, she expanded her expertise at Swarovski LTD as a product design and development manager while collaborating with influential figures in art, architecture, design, and technology.

In 2014, Aviva established Aviva Maya Design, a design consulting studio, and became a part-time associate professor at the Parsons School of Design. As a Multidisciplinary Designer, she partners with nonprofits and design studios, providing expertise in design, product development, training, product design management, and brand strategy for home products. Her design philosophy celebrates artisanal and handcrafted techniques while embracing digital fabrication technologies and materials innovation. As an educator, Aviva enjoys working with students and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm.

Aviva has served as the Vice Chair of the Industrial Design Society of America’s (IDSA) Women in Design (WID) chapter in New York City from 2023 to 2025. She is an active member in collaborating with the IDSA Disability Section. Her research interests span various areas, including design and technology, human-centered and universal design, biomaterials, social responsibility, and fair trade.

Degrees Held

- BFA, Product Design, Parsons School of Design

- Certification, Healthier Materials & Sustainable Building 

Professional Affiliation

-Industrial Design Socaity of America (IDSA)

Performances and Appearances

Research Interests

product design, design and technology, universal design, human centered design, biofabrication, social responsibilty, fair trade, fashion and technology

Awards And Honors

- Nomination for Distinguished University Teaching Award Nominee 2024

- Nomination for Distinguished University Teaching Award Nominee 2023

- Nomination for Distinguished University Teaching Award Finalist 2021

- Nomination for Distinguished University Teaching Award Nominee 2020

- Nomination for Distinguished University Teaching Award Nominee 2018

- Cotton Tree KAPOK (China Design Award) 2015 "Product Design Award" ‘Flow’ Chandelier design commission for Zhongshan Haolida Lighting Co .,LTD

Portfolio

Aviva Maya Shulem Design Studio

First Year, Space & Materiality, Students' work