Appalachian State University Interior Design senior Emmy Saltzman has been named a top-three finalist in the 30th Annual PAVE International Student Design Competition, a global contest that drew more than 160 submissions. The challenge, developed in partnership with The Hershey Company, asked students to design a "Store-within-a-Store" (SWAS) snacking destination that reimagines how customers experience Hershey's family of brands.
Reimagining the 'Movie Night' Moment
Hershey uses micro‑occasions—campfires with s'mores, baking, movie nights, road trips, and gifting—to group its products in ways that spark simple, shared moments of joy. Saltzman's entry, "Intermission," draws on the micro-occasion of "movie night." Her concept invites shoppers to step out of the grocery aisle and into a brief cinematic escape—an approach aligned with Hershey's focus on creating shared moments of enjoyment.
The design incorporates several experiential elements, including:
-Scent diffusers that evoke fresh popcorn and candy
-An augmented reality screen for interactive character moments and digital storytelling
-Lightweight, recycled materials used throughout the modular fixtures, reflecting an emphasis on sustainable design and flexibility
Studio-Driven Excellence
Saltzman developed the project in Studio VI, the Interior Design program's retail-focused studio led by Professor Kathleen Jordan. She credits the program's faculty with equipping her to take on complex, real-world design problems—skills that helped her stand out to a judging panel that included leaders from Estée Lauder and Hershey. Her work earned a $4,000 prize and national recognition.
Additional Honors
Saltzman's portfolio also earned her the 2025 Bish Creative Point-of-Purchase Scholarship + Experience, which includes a $6,000 scholarship and a mentorship at Bish Creative's Chicago headquarters.
Her achievements were recognized at the 27th Annual PAVE Gala in New York City, where she met with industry professionals from Hershey and Bish Creative. She later traveled to Hershey's Pennsylvania headquarters to present her project directly to members of the company's retail design and merchandising teams, along with students at the Milton Hershey School.
A Rising Designer to Watch
Saltzman's accomplishments underscore the strength of App State's Interior Design program and its focus on preparing students for competitive, industry-facing work. The College of Fine and Applied Arts celebrates her success and the visibility it brings to the university's design community.
About the Department of Applied Design
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research, and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor's degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design, and interior design.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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