as a graduate of the Spatial Experience Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, i was challenged to develop a thesis project that reflected both conceptual depth and professional-level execution. within the program, students select an area of concentration from a broad range of spatial experience design industries, including retail environments, museum exhibitions, brand activations, pop-up events, immersive themed environments, and more.

building on concepts developed in the previous semester, each thesis evolves into a comprehensive capstone design project. this process involves creating a mission statement, curating an intentional mood board, developing a concept mind map that outlines the overall experience, conducting research on comparable projects, gathering articles and references that support the concept, and connecting with mentors to strengthen both our professional networks and our design process through industry feedback. the project also requires detailed spatial and experiential development, including site selection and planning, experience overviews, concept sketches, survey design and analysis, branding assets such as logos and visual identity systems, and presentations for the midterm review exhibition, where alumni and industry professionals evaluate our progress. from there, the work expands into technical and visual production, including 3D renders, elevations, isometric views, signage systems, additional brand assets, and a final physical build to be displayed in the graduating student exhibition at FIT. ultimately, the goal is to bring the concept beyond the screen and into a tangible, immersive experience.

my project is Los Bailes Inolvidables is a vibrant social club celebrating Latin dance and music in New York City. from cumbia and bachata to salsa, the club brings people together to move, connect, and share the rhythms and stories that have shaped Latin and Hispanic culture in the city. designed as a cultural portal, the experience begins in a CD and record store café that fosters nostalgia and cultural exchange through curated Latin music, local artwork, vinyl listening stations, and archival projections. guests then slowly transition into an immersive dance space centered around a communal floor, layered lighting, and rich sound, shifting the atmosphere from reflection to celebration. the club also hosts live performances, workshops, and interactive events that connect guests with local artists and traditions. by creating a safe and welcoming space for social connection, cultural exchange, and creative expression, Los Bailes Inolvidables Social Club honors Latin and Hispanic traditions and empowers communities to sustain and evolve them for future generations.

why does this need to exist?

Latin and Hispanic culture has always been rooted in community, music, and dance. in New York City, these traditions are visible in nightlife and entertainment spaces, yet opportunities to experience them in an intentional, welcoming, and community-centered environment remain limited. oftentimes cultural expression is reduced rather than nurtured. on top of this, generations of Latinx New Yorkers have grown up without consistent spaces to gather, create, celebrate, and pass on their heritage, making it more difficult for traditions to thrive organically across generations.

Los Bailes Inolvidables exists because these traditions matter; not just as entertainment, but as a living connection to identity, history, and community. in a city of constant change, it provides a space where Latin heritage can be seen, felt, and carried forward by the people who keep it alive.

the total thought process and brand palette for Los Bailes Inolvidables Social Club.

additional brand assets.

one of my favorite brand assets i created is
La Ruta del Baile.

La Ruta del Baile is an extension of Los Bailes Inolvidables Social Club: a portable archive of movement, memory, and participation. this booklet invites guests to journey through the rhythms that shape Latin life in New York City.

beyond music and dance nights, the club hosts workshops dedicated to Latin music and dance traditions. each page of this booklet represents a genre and its cultural roots. with every workshop attended, guests receive a stamp unique to that rhythm, transforming these pages into a personal record of engagement and growth.

through stamps, stories, and lived experience, this booklet marks the transition from listening to dancing, from reflection to celebration. more than a souvenir, it is a reminder that tradition is sustained through shared rhythm, collective movement, and the people who carry it forward.

midterm review

a part of the thesis project is having a midterm review with faculty, fellow students, and invited industry professionals to check out our progress mid-way through the semester with an addition to creating a graphic poster and styling a table highlighting all of said progress. for my midterm, i wanted to highlight three main themes: music, culture, and participation.

music and participation go hand in hand in this setting, as music has always been a central part of community and shared experience. because of this, i felt that music had to be one of the biggest themes represented in the table setting. that said, i decided that bringing a listening station to life would be a great way to achieve this. the station would include a few curated vinyl records and a 7-inch record player, encouraging participants to sit down and take a moment to listen. this creates an interactive experience rather than just something to observe. it also helps bringing up some talking points to people who may have any questions or comments.

alongside this, i displayed dominoes as an ode to the game and its significance in Latin culture, particularly within Dominican and Puerto Rican communities. i also included a Diablo Cojuelo (also known as a Lechón) figure, referencing the folkloric character often seen during Dominican Carnival. known as mischievous tricksters, these figures embody playfulness, cultural pride, and resilience-values that align with the spirit of the social club and its mission to celebrate and sustain Latin traditions.

materiality and texture also played an important role in shaping the atmosphere of the table. the glossy surfaces of the vinyl records and their sleeves created a visual and tactile continuity that reinforced the theme of music. i was also interested in incorporating darker woods and richer tones throughout the display, referencing the warm, intimate environments often associated with record listening spaces and social gatherings. additionally, i included a clear vinyl tablecloth, a material commonly found in many Latin households and family homes, which evokes a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. together, these textures helped ground the installation, making it feel less like a static display and more like a lived-in cultural setting where music, conversation, and community naturally come together.

on the left is a tiktok i made documenting my process for getting to midterm review and outlining some of the decisions i made regarding the project as a whole.

spatial inspiration, chosen location with a block plan mapping out the space, and concept sketches for specific areas within the club.

the experience begins in a CD and record store café designed as a space for collective nostalgia and cultural exchange within Latin and Hispanic culture. featuring curated Latin music, works by NYC-based Latin artists, listening stations, archival projections of Latin neighborhoods, and a café serving traditional refreshments, the space fosters memory, discovery, and community through conversation and reflection.

walking down the main corridor that
connects the entire space belongs
a quieter, more private listening
station. while the social club overall
is bright and lively, this space offers
visitors a place to listen to music,
enjoy a coffee, and focus on w — walking down the main corridor that connects the entire space belongs a quieter, more private listening station. while the social club overall is bright and lively, this space offers visitors a place to listen to music, enjoy a coffee, and focus on work or study. we also want to see the next generation thrive, so providing a space where people can study, is an important part of the design.

here is where the social club truly
comes to life. the venue serves as a
lively performance space for live
band sets and DJ performances,
bringing energy and rhythm to the
club’s social atmosphere. it also
serves and transforms as a flexible
space fo — here is where the social club truly comes to life. the venue serves as a lively performance space for live band sets and DJ performances, bringing energy and rhythm to the club’s social atmosphere. it also serves and transforms as a flexible space for Latin dance and music classes, creating opportunities for learning, movement, and cultural exchange. we also offer a locker room space shared by teachers and guests to store their belongings while in class.

developed signage for wayfinding purposes.

graduating student exhibition

a part of the thesis project is being a part of the graduating students exhibition at FIT, where all the graduating students get to show off their culmination of skills fostered by FIT and themselves. as a Spatial Experience Design student, i had to produce and install a mini pop-up corner that encapsulates my entire project without me needing to be there to explain it.

for my final build, i wanted to celebrate music in a tangible and immersive way. designing the space against a wall (also for practical power access), i created a two-panel rincón (corner) that strongly represents my envisioned environment.