20 Questions with Masha Portiansky '97
Even after decades in the industry, seeing her designs in the real world—like iconic robins-egg blue boxes, embossed in gold, with delicate black Optima script—still gives Masha Portiansky a small thrill. A creative from her days at Commonwealth, she earned her B.F.A. in Product Design at Parsons School of Design in New York City. After taking jobs in small studios and a five-year stint as an art dealer, she found herself in the Print and Advertising Design department at Estée Lauder, Inc.; twenty years later, she is the Director of Package Design for the brand.
1. What three words best describe Commonwealth?
Mind-expanding and humbling.
2. What is your favorite Commonwealth memory?
So many! Watching French New Wave films in the fifth-floor classroom with Madame Folkman.
3. What was your favorite Commonwealth class?
English with Mr. Davis (tenth and twelfth grades—super lucky to have had him twice); Physics with Mr. Riahi.
4. What’s your #1 piece of advice for Commonwealth students?
Commonwealth teaches critical thinking across all disciplines. Everything you learn will be useful in your life in unexpected ways.
5. What myth(s) would you like to dispel around your work?
Designers are not well paid and it’s not a glamorous career.
6. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Take pride in what you do.
7. What does your ideal afternoon entail?
Going on a hike, digging in the garden, or working on a DIY project around the house.
8. If you could study any field aside from your own, what would it be?
Glaciology. It was my dream job as a kid and would be so important now. I did not do great in science, however, and focused on my creative skills instead.
9. Whom do you most admire?
Teachers, especially in early childhood education.
10. When and how did you first become interested in your work?
I discovered 3D design freshman year of college and entered the Product Design program. That’s when I first realized that I love packaging design, that the look and feel of every product in the world was conceived by a designer.
11. What is your favorite aspect of your career?
Getting to see your ideas produced and live in the real world.
12. What book do you wish you had read sooner?
Günter Grass’s Tin Drum.
13. If you could have dinner with one person—alive or dead—who would it be?
Eva Zeisel, Hungarian-born American Industrial Designer.
14. What is your favorite museum?
Neue Galerie New York.
15. What is your favorite paradox?
“If I know one thing, it is that I know nothing.”
16. What was your go-to Boston eatery?
When I attended Commonwealth, there was a tiny sushi place on Newbury Street with $1 cucumber rolls. I skipped school lunch to eat there a few times a month. My family rarely ate out, so it was a special treat.
17. If you could live as a local for 48 hours anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Hokkaido, Japan. I’ve never been, but it’s on my travel bucket list.
18. If you could join any past or current music group, which would you want to join?
Bikini Kill. My teen feminist rage is burning hotter than ever.
19. What is the theme song of your life?
“Dancing Queen” by Abba.
20. What is the best gift you have ever received?
Two original paintings by a friend gifted to me by my husband.
Bonus: What is your motto?
Always be kind.
This article originally appeared in the summer 2024 edition of CM, Commonwealth's alumni/ae magazine.