Concordia/MIAD alum on second Whitefish Bay house flip
Sohpie Zang’s “Sophomore House”
Successful blogger and promising interior designer Sophie Zang ’20, who majored in Interior Architecture & Design at MIAD and concurrently studied Marketing at Concordia University of Wisconsin, used her degrees to purchase, renovate, and resell a Whitefish Bay home for $1.1 million in September 2022. Last week, she announced the purchase of her second Whitefish Bay house for $580,000, this time on North Ardmore Avenue.
Zang, who maintains the popular blog and social media brand By Sophia Lee, recently launched her new interior design firm, BSL Studios. The renovation of the first house functioned as a marketing campaign for the new studio. Zang documented the process on her brand’s social media and the results went viral, resulting in numerous new clients for BSL Studios.
Sophie Zang’s first flipped house
“The Sophomore House,” as the BSL Studios team nicknamed their second endeavor, will involve mainly cosmetic updates rather than the larger-scale renovation they completed on the first house in fall of 2022. They plan to update tile, wallpaper and paint, as well as add a children’s bathroom on the second floor and widen access to the kitchen, according to videos on the By Sophia Lee Instagram page.
As a student at both Concordia and MIAD, Zang combined a minor in Marketing from Concordia with a major from MIAD in Interior Architecture & Design. “My time at MIAD gave me the confidence to go against the grain on the ‘normal’ way to start a career,” says Zang. She says MIAD “taught me the technical skills to thrive in the industry, but more importantly… taught me how to communicate with others, ask questions, and never be afraid of hearing the word ‘no.’” Concordia students are eligible to enroll in coursework at MIAD to study Graphic Design, Illustration or Interior Architecture & Design.
Check out more information for MIAD students on cross-registration, read more about Sophie’s work on house number one, and keep up with Sophie on Instagram @bysophialee, her blog, or BSL Studios.
News
Fashion students design adaptive clothing for Independence First
For the second year in a row, Fashion and Apparel Design students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) worked with Independence First to design adaptive clothing tailor-made for two people who use wheelchairs. The project is part of a junior-level Patternmaking & Construction course.
MIAD Values Recognition Award: Nichole Uecker
Nichole Uecker, Student Accessibility Coordinator, received the October 2025 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Nichole’s nominations highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Community, Inclusion and Kindness.
Personal and professional passion inspire Product Design student
When senior Carmen Briones’ mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during Briones’ sophomore year at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), finding a bra that was comfortable with a medical port became an additional challenge. Briones ’26 (Product Design) answered that challenge in her Design for Human Interface class by designing a product that reduces pain while increasing mobility.
Toy design at Squishmallows: MIAD student develops confidence
When she first got the internship offer from Squishmallows at Jazwares, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) senior Melody Frias ’26 (Communication Design and Illustration) thought she was in shock. Months after the internship concluded, Frias still reads that email when she needs a boost.
Collections Spotlight: Helen Hoppin
Not only is the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) home to two formal gallery spaces hosting numerous external exhibitions, the college also boasts its own large collection focusing on work produced by founders and early students.