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Fall 2026 priority deadline for transfer and graduate studies is January 5.

SVA MFA Design

Program

Our vision

Curriculum →

Mission →

Community

Who we celebrate

Faculty →

Chair →

Staff →

Students →

Work

We strive for

Recent Work →

Ventures →

News →

FAQs →

Apply Now →

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A collage of stickers and posters on a black background features various slogans promoting tenant rights, including messages about rent strikes and solidarity among tenants, emphasizing the importance of standing together against landlord injustices.

Our Block

Winter Sun

Project Description

Our Block is a full service tool for communities that need to organize against landlord injustice.

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A collage of stickers and posters on a black background features various slogans and messages related to tenant rights, rent strikes, and solidarity. Some messages include “This building is rent strike,” “Support the tenants of 80 Clarkson Ave and Make Brian Ritter pay!”, “A slumlord lives here!”, “Support the tenants of 86 Clarkson Ave and Make Brian Ritter pay!”, and “Stand up. Stand together. Fight back. Tenant solidarity forever.”

A woman in a black t-shirt with the words "WHOSE BLOCK?" stands against a white brick wall. She has her hands on her hips. Above her, a yellow banner reads “THIS BUILDING IS ON RENT STRIKE. USE OUR BLOCK AND SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS.” To the left, a laptop displays “HOW TO REQUEST A RENT TO REPAIRS.” To the right, three smartphones show “GOOD CAUSE” messages about securing housing for New Yorkers. The image is framed by a black border.

A laptop displays a webpage titled “VACATE MY CREDIT IN HOUSING COURT,” accompanied by a text box stating “How to vacate my credit in housing court.” A speech bubble on the laptop reads, “a statement of judgment is completely void and generally filed with the court, has not been paid in full.” A smartphone shows “TENANT LIBRARY” and “Speak with an expert.” A tablet displays “OUR expert said, ‘We’ve got your back!’” and a phone screen shows “We’ve got your back!” with a “Start chat chat” button.

The image shows a collage of three yellow flyers with black text and graphics. The left flyer reads “Hey Neighbor! Are you having issues getting repairs made? You are entitled to a safe and habitable home!” and includes a QR code. The middle flyer displays the text "Reaching out to your neighbors" and shows two black figures. The right flyer reads “Learn how tenant unions can help repair and stand up to your landlord/boss.” All flyers are on a dark gray surface.

An open magazine spread displays a black and yellow color scheme. The left page features a large "OUR VOICES" title in white text on a yellow background, with a photograph of a man in a suit and a quote from Francis Roberts: "Francis Roberts says 'enough' after finding out he's been evicted from his home." The right page has a black background with white text, titled "UNDERESTIMATED HIS TENANTS: Now They Could Own the Building." A photograph of a group of people is visible on the page. The magazine is laid on a light brown surface.

A large black sign with white text reading “TENANTS DESERVE BETTER.” is mounted on a white tiled wall. Below the statement, in smaller text, it reads, “There is power in numbers.” and “OUR BLOCK.” A black metal railing is visible to the right of the sign. The floor is dark gray with yellow lines along the edge.

A person holds a smartphone displaying a green screen titled “Write a Demand Letter,” with a black silhouette of a bear at the top. Beside it, a laptop screen shows “Attach Evidence of Complaints” and lists “Pests,” “Counters,” “Plansets,” and “Resource” sections. A white envelope labeled “OUR BLOCK” lies nearby, with additional documents and images visible in the background.

Three smartphones display a map interface showing a building address: 69 Saint Nicolas Place, Harlem, Manhattan. The left phone displays a user interface with “Building,” “Landlord: Brian Ritter,” “Your address is 20 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn,” “Not yet,” and “Not affiliated.” The center phone shows “Building” with “45 members” and “Connect In 1 Day,” and “56 Open Violations, 849 Violations, 546 Eviction Flings.” The right phone displays “Topics” with “59 Saint Nicolas Place,” “Topics,” and “Say HI.” All phones show “Connect” buttons and icons.

Two hands hold two smartphones displaying QR code scanning interfaces. The phone on the left shows a yellow sticker on its screen, while the phone on the right displays “Neighbor!”, both with QR codes visible on their screens. The background is a blurred wooden surface.

Five smartphones are displayed against a dark gray background, each showcasing a different design concept. The designs feature minimalist black silhouettes and text-based elements. The phones are arranged diagonally, revealing their front and side profiles. Text elements include “Hey Neighbor!” and “Connect,” along with “Organize” and “Mobilize.” One phone displays “I don’t know my building’s code.”

A line graph on a light beige background shows a series of black silhouettes moving from left to right. The line starts with “Going it Alone” and ends with “Staying Connected.” Each silhouette is positioned in a unique pose, progressing through stages like “Reaching Out,” “Establishing Goals,” “Taking Action,” “Sustaining Momentum,” and “Staying Connected.” The line is mostly straight with occasional curves.

A black and white photograph depicts a crowd of people, many wearing face masks, gathered outdoors. A person in the center holds a sign reading “WHOSE BLOCK?” in large, bold letters. The background shows buildings and a street. Text to the right reads: “Our Block is a digital tool that connects tenants and uses strategies developed by tenant unions to empower New Yorkers to enforce their rights to a safe, decent, and sanitary living space.”

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Accepting applications for Fall 2026

310 East 22nd St - 5th Floor

New York, NY 10010

310 East 22nd St - 5th Floor

New York, NY 10010

310 East 22nd St - 5th Floor

New York, NY 10010

(212) 592-2600

mfadesign@sva.edu

(212) 592-2600

mfadesign@sva.edu

(212) 592-2600

mfadesign@sva.edu

Colophon

Our Block

Our Block

Winter Sun

Winter Sun

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