C Magazine by College for Creative Studies

A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI, DONORS AND FRIENDS

DEAR FRIENDS OF CCS,

inter semester is well

record-breaking fundraising and attendance.

CO-CREATION

underway, and I have good

Proceeds from this annual event support

news to share, as the

scholarships for CCS students and directly

College continues to

benefit thousands of Detroit students each

affirm its commitment to

year through our Community Arts Partnerships

People can’t always tell you in words about their unmet needs. If they could, they would probably no longer be unmet. COTS, an organization that serves families in need of temporary shelter, worked with CCS Integrated Design master’s degree students to create a set of effective, “touchpoint action” tools for communications. These tools utilized visualization techniques to help COTS unify and empower people from diverse cultural, economic and social backgrounds to act.

developing innovative programs and recruiting

(CAP) program.

world-class talent. Enrollment in Fall semester

The 35th DIWA will take place on Saturday,

was up, with 1,461 students enrolled and 580

October 15, with 2016 chairs Matthew Simoncini,

living on campus — more than ever before.

President, CEO and Director of Lear Corporation,

In Fall 2015, we launched the new BFA in

and CCS alumna Mona Simoncini ’89, Graphic

Fashion Accessories Design, and we expect the

Communication. Our business partnerships are

program to be a great success. This four-year

doing exceptionally well. On the collaboration

course of study is one of only a few such pro-

front, 180 companies engaged with the College

grams specializing in the creation, design and

last year, by either recruiting interns or hiring

manufacture of accessories in the United States.

alumni, hosting lectures or running corporate-

To head the program, we were excited to

sponsored research projects. These projects

welcome renowned footwear and accessories

enable companies to experience CCS talent

designer Aki Choklat. Aki brings a wealth of

first-hand, and our students form valuable

experience and leadership in fashion design

career relationships.

education to CCS. The College also welcomed

These partnerships also help CCS nurture

internationally recognized concept artist and

talent for the next generation, as does the

alumnus Tim Flattery (’87, Industrial Design),

College’s partnership with you: we could not

who joined the College as the new Chair of

offer programs of such high quality without

Entertainment Arts, our largest department.

your support. Thank you, and I look forward

Tim is one of Hollywood’s foremost concept

to sharing more good news at the end of the

artists, and we are thrilled to welcome him back

school year.

to CCS. He and Aki will help lead us to even higher levels of creative excellence.

Sincerely,

Thanks to the leadership of Co-Chairs Daniel Ammann, President of General Motors, and Pernilla Ammann, a partner at Mother New

York, the Art of Wine: 34th Detroit International

Richard L. Rogers, President

Wine Auction (DIWA) had another year of

College for Creative Studies

GRAPHIC DESIGN USA MAGAZINE NAMES COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES A 2015 TOP DESIGN SCHOOL. Two thousand sixteen Winter

CCS NEWS + NOTES

NEWS + NOTES CCS

DETROIT INTERNATIONAL WINE AUCTION DAZZLES 2015 KRESGE ARTIST FELLOWS

34TH ANNUAL EVENT RAISES RECORD-BREAKING $3 MILLION

Kresge Arts in Detroit (KAID), administered by CCS, has aising nearly $3 million, The Art of Wine:

to 550 guests, who enjoyed a delicious, five-course meal

SAVE THE DATE

awarded literary and visual

34th Annual Detroit International

by Forte Belanger. Grammy-winning artists Macklemore

The 35th Detroit

fellowships to 16 individual artists

Wine Auction (DIWA) — CCS’s largest

and Ryan Lewis performed a rousing set to kick off the

International Wine

and two collectives working in

fundraiser — was one of the most

Cadillac-sponsored after-party.

Auction will be held

metropolitan Detroit. Now in its

inspiring and successful to date.

DIWA also garnered $1.1 million in sponsorships — led

October 15, 2016, led

seventh year, the Kresge Artist

Chaired by Daniel Ammann, President of General Motors,

again this year by presenting sponsor Gallagher-Kaiser

by Chairs Matthew

Fellowships annually recognize

and Pernilla Ammann, a partner at Mother New York,

Corporation. Dinner with the Ammanns — one of the

Simoncini, President,

emerging and established

the gala event took place at the Coleman A. Young

biggest lots of the evening — sold twice for $100,000.

CEO and Director,

metropolitan Detroit artists

International Airport, which had been dramatically

Proceeds from DIWA benefit undergraduate scholarships

Lear Corporation

whose diverse creative practices

transformed into an elegant Mad Men-era airline terminal.

for talented CCS students and free arts programs for more

and CCS alumna Mona

reflect vision and excellence.

Featured Vintner Jackson Family Wines, represented

than 4,000 Detroit kids through the College’s Community

Simoncini ‘89, Graphic

Three of the literary fellow-

by Caroline Shaw, generously poured their top vintages

Arts Partnerships (CAP) program.

Communication.

ships awarded went to members of the CCS community: George Tysh, who teaches film studies and poetics in the College’s Liberal Arts Department, and Lillien Waller, a writer in CCS’s Office of Institutional Advancement. A visual arts fellowship was awarded to alumna Annica GRAPHIC POSSIBILITIES

Cuppetelli ‘02, Crafts. The

Study abroad students drew inspiration from various Detroit sites, including Tyree Guyton’s Heidelberg Project, above.

fellowships each consist of an unrestricted $25,000 grant and a year of intensive professional development.

ART EZ AT CCS

“From the traditional to the experimental, the work of the

STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS RESEARCH DETROIT

2015 Kresge Artist Fellows exemplifies the creativity that continues to enliven our city

and capture the attention of the art world,” said Kresge Arts in

he Graphic Design department hosted the first Summer Sessions, a study abroad group

Detroit Director Michelle Perron.

from ArtEZ Institute of the Arts in Arnhem, the Netherlands, from July 31 through

“The fellows represent the depth

August 17. Seventeen international students researched the city of Detroit and new

and multiplicity of Detroit’s

roles for designers and other creatives in the processes of urban economic and cultural

artistic communities.”

regeneration. Designers examined Detroit as a template for the possibilities of design

This year’s nine literary arts and

in the wake of deindustrialization. Using a broad array of methods, the designers researched sites

11 visual arts fellows include a

throughout the city, including Design 99, The Heidelberg Project, Russell Industrial Center, Hamtramck

graphic novelist, a metal sculptor, a

Disneyland, auto factories, Belle Isle, Brightmoor, Southwest Detroit and Indian Village. In addition

freestyle poet, a performance duo

THE ART OF WINE

to Dutch designers, the faculty included American guest tutors, and Graphic Design alumni Kikko

and a new media arts collective.

Clockwise from left: Pernilla and Daniel Ammann; Caroline Shaw of Jackson Family Wines and Richard L. Rogers, President of CCS; Kay and Gary Cowger, Vivian Pickard and Don Manvel; Macklemore and Ryan Lewis perform for the crowd; April Wagner, Lisa Nederlander, Mara and Yousif Ghafari, Mary and Tony Barra.

Paradela (2010) and Nina Bianchi (2004).

Visit www.kresgeartsindetroit.org

2 Winter 2016

Highlights included the symposium, “A Summer Storm,” lectures and open debate exploring different

to view profiles of this year’s

approaches to new graphic design practices.

Artist Fellows.

www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu 3

CCS NEWS + NOTES

NEWS + NOTES CCS

PROFESSOR AWARDED $30,000 FROM KNIGHT FOUNDATION

NEWARK MAYOR TOURS CPAD PROJECTS

CCS COMMUNITY RECOGNIZED IN ANNUAL KNIGHT ARTS CHALLENGE DETROIT

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS HELP NEIGHBORHOODS THRIVE

he John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has awarded $30,000 to Dr. Michael Stone-Richards, in conjunction with the Alexandrine St. Seminars and the College for Creative Studies, in its Knight Arts Challenge Detroit program.

The grant will go toward production of future volumes of the contemporary art

and culture journal, Detroit Research, founded and edited by Stone-Richards. The journal

two tours, highlighting the organization’s work in Detroit’s North End neighborhood. In one of the tours titled “Community Arts and Neighborhood Development: A Higher Education Approach,” Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, members of his cabinet and a

contingent representing New Jersey-based foundations toured CPAD

is concerned with developing a critical language for talking about “the most challenging post-studio

DC3 HIRES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

n October, community+public arts: DETROIT (CPAD) hosted

and studio practices emerging in Detroit within a national and international framework.” A professor

projects. This Newark/Detroit Learning Exchange was organized by

of literature, philosophy and art history at CCS, Dr. Stone-Richards is one of 57 award recipients who

Sharnita Johnson of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

will receive more than $2.5 million for their arts ideas.

CPAD also was featured in a CCS-led tour of Detroit art projects during the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Social

Olga Stella is the new

OTHER CCS KNIGHT ARTS CHALLENGE WINNERS INCLUDED:

Practices Conference at the College.

Executive Director of the Detroit Creative Corridor Center (DC3), a joint venture of CCS and Business Leaders for Michigan. Stella previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), a non-profit that supports existing businesses and brings new companies and investments to the city. In more than nine years at the DEGC, Stella developed award-winning programs, led reorganization efforts, championed policy initiatives, and raised $29 million in federal, state and philanthropic resources. Her direct efforts generated more than $300 million in private sector investment in Detroit. She created and oversaw DEGC’s $2.5 million Creative Corridor Incentive Fund, which helped generate more than $50 million in investment in the corridor; and she served on DC3’s advisory board. She holds B.A. and Master of Public Policy degrees from the University of Michigan.

• Hamtramck Free School, co-founded by Jonathan Rajewski, 2015 Kresge Artist Fellow

Both tours highlighted community partners and CPAD projects,

in the Visual Arts and gallery coordinator of the Valade Family Gallery at CCS

including “The Illuminated Mural” and “Earth and Sky Repose,” a creative

• Corktown Studios, featuring alumni Lisa Poszywak (’09, Fine Arts) and Paula Zammit (’12, Fine Arts)

landscape in the Oakland Avenue Community Garden and Greenhouse.

4 Winter 2016

• Popps Packing, founded by alumni Faina Lerman (’04, Fine Arts) and Graem Whyte (’96, Fine Arts) • CAVE Gallery, which includes collaborators Kylie Lockwood (’05, Fine Arts) and Adam Shirley (’93, Crafts) • Burnside Farm, founded by adjunct faculty member Kate Daughdrill • Christina deRoos, Co-Director of Spread Art and Deputy Director of Kresge Arts in Detroit • Scott Hocking (’00, Fine Arts) for his project to bring art into communities using former commercial signage to illuminate famous artworks • Sidewalk Festival of the Performing Arts, curated and founded by Ryan Myers-Johnson, Program Manager at Kresge Arts in Detroit

I’VE MADE NEW FRIENDSHIPS, EVOLVED MY SKILLS AS AN ARTIST, AND ALSO HAD FUN. – AJANI MURPHY, DETROIT NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS CORPORATION (DNAC) ARTIST

Other partners include the North End Christian CDC and the Oakland Avenue Artists Collection.

NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Above: “The Illuminated Mural” by Katie Craig and Brandon Dougerty. The colorful mural flows down the side of a nine-story building on East Grand Boulevard in the North End.

• Detroit Historical Museum, working with several CCS photography students to “Re-Document” Detroit In October, the Knight Foundation announced that it will fund the Knight Arts Challenge in Detroit for another three years until 2018. The Foundation’s investment in Detroit arts totals $110 million since 2008.

WINNING INITIATIVE: SUMMER WORKSHOP FOR INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS TWO-WEEK PROFESSIONAL DESIGN CAMP TEACHES ADVANCED CONCEPTS AND METHODS

he first CCS Professional Design Camp was offered

taught by Professor, Provost,

in June 2015, an initiative developed to introduce

and Vice President for Academic

advanced design processes and methodologies

Affairs Sooshin Choi. Guest

to professional designers and design executives

lecturers and evaluators included

from outside the United States. The workshop is

Ford Motor Company Futurist Sheryl

part of the College’s continuing expansion of international programs.

Connelly; Sundberg-Ferar Vice

Eight professionals from a range of design companies in Hangzhou,

President Jeevak Badve; Whirlpool

China, participated in two one-week workshops presented at the

Corporation Lead Industrial

CHALLENGING ART

A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education.

Designer Michael Kahwaji; and

The first issue of Detroit Research (left). Dr. Michael Stone-Richards, above, will use the grant toward future volumes of the journal.

The first, the Role of Future Scenario Planning in Design, was

Suzette Malek, Global Research

EDGY DESIGN

taught by Professor and Dean of Graduate Studies Joanne Healy.

Manager, Global Societal Trends +

The second, Breakthrough Innovative Design Methods, was

Innovation Insights, General Motors.

Subtle and innovative watch can be tied anywhere.

www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu 5

CCS NEWS + NOTES

NEWS + NOTES CCS

GROWING THE CCS COMMUNITY NEW ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF JOIN THE COLLEGE

CCS ALUMNI COUNCIL The College for Creative Studies Alumni Council comprises alumni across all majors, industries and graduation years. The Council is responsible for several initiatives designed to engage alumni and current students and to support the College’s fundraising efforts. Members assist with planning alumni events and receptions and play a vital role in the development of new alumni programs.

ALUMNA CREATE SOCIAL-IMPACT DESIGN THAT GOES BEYOND GOOD LOOKS

The 43rd annual Noel Night heralded the holiday season on

December 5. Events included a reception for alumni and their families, with activities for the kids, and the alumni/student art sale. All proceeds support scholarships for CCS students. The annual phonathon yielded $6,300. If you would like to make

“Once you invest time and you are part of the making, it’s hard not to have

THE GREATER GOOD

a gift, visit giving.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/phonathon.

a connection,” said Nina Bianchi ’04, Graphic Design, partner at The Work

The Work Deptartment projects make complex ideas accessible to non-designers. The studio partners with organizations and individuals – including, in one case, parents – to create impactful designs.

Department. “We see a lot of success when we’re able to work alongside folks instead of working in a vacuum.”

THE COLLEGE WITH GIFTS OF $1,000 OR MORE:

Clockwise: Dona Lantz, Associate Provost for Curriculum; Michelle Cade, Assistant Provost for Student and Global Affairs; and Gina Finney, Director of Human Resources

2015 PEACOCK SOCIETY

he College welcomed three new administrative staff in Fall 2015: Dona Lantz, Associate Provost for Curriculum; Michelle Cade, Assistant Provost for Student and Global Affairs; and Gina Finney, Director of Human Resources. They each bring extensive experience to their new roles. Dona Lantz spent the last 15 years as the Academic Dean at Moore College of Art where she oversaw 10 undergraduate programs, five graduate programs, and developed a number of new BFA and MA/ MFA curricular initiatives. Lantz is experienced in accreditation and assessment process development, which will serve her well during the College’s ongoing curriculum review process. Michelle Cade has worked in higher education for more than 13 years. She joins CCS after a five-year tenure at Marygrove College as Assistant Director of the Success Center, International Programs Specialist and Director of International Programs, which will support her mandate to expand CCS’s global outreach initiatives. Gina Finney has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, K-12 schools, and the automotive and aerospace engineering sectors. She previously served as Human Resources Manager for Aernnova Engineering US, Inc., a specialist in the design and manufacture of aero structures and components. Prior to this, she was Assistant Director of Human Resources at Delta Community College and a consultant for Lansing Community College.

6 Winter 2016

hat Bianchi describes is a design practice in which the

Department is dedicated to

accessible to different audiences —

target audience has a voice in the process. It goes by many

human-centered and participa-

something that has become

names — co-creation, user-centered — but they all amount

tory design processes. Running

a hallmark of their work.

to what pioneering designer Patricia Moore described as

an all-woman workplace, the

On a project with Detroit

designing with people and not for them.

duo has for nearly seven years

Head Start Learning Network,

“It’s not about the aesthetics all the time; we’re okay with that,” explained

tried to expand the boundaries

Cole explained that The Work

Ms. Susan M. Sage

partner Libby Cole ’04, Graphic Design. “To us, it’s about using this background

of what design can be — who

Department partnered with

Ms. Darcel M. Deneau

Mr. Joe Schaden

that we have for the greater good. We have a matrix when we take on a client.

should have access and how it can

parents throughout the process.

Mr. Tim Flattery

Mr. Stephen N. Schock

Are we going to be proud of this work? Will we be able to sleep at night?

help strengthen communities.

They helped create and write

Mr. Ralph V. Gilles

Mr. Mark W. Sengbusch

Cole and Bianchi planted the seeds for this socially conscious design ethic as

And they are succeeding. The

language and make designs.

Ms. Lenore Y. Gimpert

Mr. Robert Sestok

students at CCS. Founded in 2009, their Detroit-based studio The Work

Work Department has taken on

“If we’re going to reach people in

Mr. Clifford L. Harris

Mrs. Mona M. Simoncini

projects with a range of local,

a useful way, we have to put our-

Mr. Douglas S. Harris

Mr. Kaiser Suidan

national and international clients

selves where they are,” Cole said.

Mr. Kevin Heinl

Ms. Lois Teicher

from Detroit Future City to the

For Commotion, a program

Mrs. Michelle M. Hinebrook

Mr. Glenn R. Triest

Open Technology Institute at

supported by funds from the

Mrs. Katherine M. Huber

Mrs. Molly P. Valade

the New America Foundation.

National Telecommunications

Mr. John W. Ingle III

Ms. April M. Wagner

Bianchi noted, “In partnership

and Information Administration

Ms. Karen Koziatek

Mr. Joshua Wojick

with grassroots communities

and the U.S. Department of State,

[facilitated by Allied Media

Cole and Bianchi developed an

Projects Detroit] we secured a

open source software platform

nearly $2 million broadband

that was eventually deployed

technology opportunities

abroad in Asia and Eastern

program grant. That sort of

Europe. The two became well

partnership — that leverages the

known for the technological

power of social-impact design

aspects of design, but as Bianchi

between a large foundation

points out, “We struggle with the

and a grassroots organization —

definition of design. It is often

is sort of unheard of.” The

interaction design, process design,

two helped design and plan an

systems design, policy design —

open-source software platform,

all coming together to bridge

making complex information

conversations and communities.”

Mr. Sam Ajluni

Mr. Chris M. Nordin

Mr. Ralph E. Allured*

Ms. Michelle L. Plucinsky

Mr. Thomas E. Allured

Mrs. Suwichada Press

Ms. Michelle Andonian

Mrs. Miriam E. Prussack

Ms. Nicole Barbour

Ms. Kara A. Roche

Mrs. Marcia Bonahoom

Ms. Lauren Romanowski

Mrs. Jennifer S. Chope

Mr. Steve Leslie Mr. Andrew M. Madvin Mr. Robert M. Madvin Mrs. Ann Mikolowski*

*Deceased. This list includes gifts of art sales proceeds.

CRYSTAL (SCULPTURE)

Jenna Vanfleteren ‘15, Crafts, 24” x 18” x 18”. Fiber, black, silver and multi-colored fabric.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY ROSENBLATT, COURTESY: LIFE ON MARS GALLERY

THANK YOU TO CCS ALUMNI WHO SUPPORT NEW FACES

www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu 7

FEATURE

THE BIG REVEAL: DESIGN CHIEFS, AUTO SHOW LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE TRUSTEES CALLUM, GILLES AND WELBURN ON WHAT CCS DOES WELL

The Transportation Design Program at CCS is widely acclaimed as the finest in the world. Indeed, much is expected of our graduates who swell the ranks of every major car design studio in the United States.

8 Winter 2016

day work for FCA, Ford Motor Company and General Motors design studios. Gilles’ team rolled out the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which turned

LEADING DESIGN

heads at this year’s NAIAS and promises to reinvent a category Chrysler

Heads of design at the Big Three car manufacturers, Moray Callum, Ralph Gilles and Edward T. Welburn, Jr., oversee the auto designs of tomorrow. Opposite page: The turbocharged 2017 Ford Fusion V6 Sport.

helped create. The eight-passenger vehicle comes in both gasoline and hybrid versions, putting Town and Country to rest and ushering in the industry’s first electrified minivan. “More than one-third of the people in the FCA US design office earned degrees at CCS, including me,” explained Ralph Gilles. “As Industrial Design has evolved, CCS has kept pace by adding critical courses in the rapidly expanding

Above, clockwise from left: Two views of the head-turning 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan, a reinvention of this category. Below: GM’s award-winning Buick Avista concept coupe boasts next-generation technology.

digital arts field. Students can find relevant classes on Infotainment, Human Machine Interface and Interior Design — all of which align perfectly to leading consumer trends and the evolution of Transportation Design. CCS is located in

General Motor’s Buick Avista concept coupe touts not only sculptural

the heart of Detroit; as a result, the FCA design team remains active on campus

beauty but also sophisticated technology, featuring next-generation

and thoroughly enjoys interacting with the talented and diverse student body.”

QuietTuning, advanced air-quality control and noise cancellation technology.

The refreshed 2017 Ford Fusion, a perennial bestseller from Callum’s

The vehicle received the EyesOn Design Award for Design Excellence —

team, includes the V6 Sport performance sedan, the refined Fusion Plati-

Concept Car, the second year in a row for Buick. The Avista also was

uto design students at CCS have

No other Transportation Design program in the

num with antiqued cocoa and Venetian leather interior, and the Fusion

awarded The Detroit News’ Reader’s Choice for Best Future Concept.

the distinct opportunity to study

world comes close to this particular brain trust, whose

Hybrid and Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid. Every model is also packed

“At GM, we are committed to strengthening the city we call home,” said

in Detroit, the city that started it all.

design leadership is on display each year at the North

with next-level technology.

Ed Welburn. “There is so much creative energy in Detroit, and the unpar-

As a result, they have access to a deep

American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

“Any new program requires a careful balance of young and more experi-

alleled academic opportunities provided by CCS are a key ingredient to

well of industry knowledge from elite

Ralph Gilles, Ed Welburn and Moray Callum lead

enced designers to succeed,” said Moray Callum. “There is often a misconcep-

growing the city’s identity as a center for innovative design — while also

faculty to the Board of Trustees — three of whom are the

design teams that offered some of this year’s most

tion that young designers start off by doing wheels and door handles, but that

helping attract even more creative talent from around the world. We look

heads of design at each of the Big Three car manufacturers:

memorable reveals at the 2016 NAIAS.

really isn’t the case: it is important to involve young designers from the start.

forward to GM Design’s continued partnership with the school.”

MORAY CALLUM is Vice President, Design, Ford

C Magazine took a look at some of the winning in-

“The Transportation Design program at CCS plays a critical role in ensur-

As the heads of design for the Big Three or as members of the Board

Motor Company; CCS alumnus RALPH GILLES, ’92,

novation on offer at the Detroit Auto Show and asked

ing that new designers are ready for any project, providing them not just

of Trustees, Callum, Gilles and Welburn share a profound commitment

is Head of Design — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA),

these three design leaders what they had to say about

with the necessary skills to push new designs forward, but also with a level

to excellence. That’s an immense benefit to CCS Transportation Design

Global; and EDWARD T. WELBURN, JR., General

the College whose mission they champion and its role

of maturity that allows them to fulfill a design brief in the most appropriate

students who will one day work in the studios that produce some of

Motors is Vice President for Global Design.

in training young designers — many of whom will one

way and with solutions that are challenging and feasible.”

NAIAS’s most exciting designs

www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu 9

FEATURE

MURALS IN THE MARKET CCS ALUMNI LEAVE THEIR MARK ON DETROIT’S HISTORIC EASTERN MARKET

FEATURE

Key changes signal a city on the rise — new business, for example, or increasing home values. A beautifying landscape is an important part of revival, too, and Detroit is becoming renowned for its vibrant and imaginative public murals.

TO MARKET, TO MARKET

he most recent addition

Mural images opposite page, clockwise: Sydney G. James, Eugene Carland (Michael Burdick and James Noellert), Brian Lacey. This page, above (left to right): Kobie Solomon, Michelle Tanguay, Shaina Kasztelan. Below: Jesse Kassel.

to this local art scene is the inaugural MURALS IN THE

murals can be seen all over the city. “Detroit is

block parties, live music, a pop-up shop and

[of the world], they have real, positive benefits.”

MARKET FESTIVAL,

now becoming a place where artists and others

a featured artist exhibit at Inner State Gallery.

The Murals in the Market team is, in the spirit

co-produced by the Eastern Market

want to come to flourish.”

The festival tapped into Eastern Market’s existing

of many public placemaking projects, hosting an

Corporation and Inner State Gallery/

“I think this will be the inaugural event for

status as a central gathering place for Detroiters,

“Adopt a Mural Program.” Businesses and individual

1xRUN, a gallery and fine art print

Detroit,” she added, “like Art Basel is to Miami

encouraging art- and community-based tourism

art supporters have the opportunity to sponsor

publisher, both co-founded by CCS

or Art Basel is to Basel, Switzerland. And I think

that not only shows out-of-towners a different

a mural from their favorite artist.

alumnus DAN ARMAND ’05, Illustration.

it can not only beautify the area but take a

side of the city, but also beautifies the area

Each sponsored mural will feature a commem-

“It’s the first international mural

culture that has kind of been here already

for residents. Armand hopes the festival

orative plaque. For more information, visit

festival in Detroit,” said Armand of the

and make it even bigger.”

will continue.

www.muralsinthemarket.com.

event, held from September 17-25.

In addition to enabling visitors to watch dozens

“We’ve always had the history of doing public

“We brought out over 25 artists from

of artists painting in and around the market,

art in the city. But hopefully this will get a bigger

WATCH A VIDEO of Murals in the Market

all over the world and paired them with

Murals in the Market energized the district with

conversation going,” explained Armand. “We’ve

online at www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/

20 artists from Detroit to paint murals

artist talks, workshops, bicycle and walking tours,

seen from doing these festivals in other parts

campus-life/ccs-tv.

all over Eastern Market.” Of the 20 Detroit artists participating in the festival, eight are alumni of the College for Creative Studies: Michael Burdick, Sydney G. James, Jesse Kassel, Shaina Kasztelan, Brian Lacey, James Noellert (painting under the moniker Eugene Carland with Michael Burdick), Kobie Solomon and Michelle Tanguay. “It says a lot that almost half of the artists from Detroit have graduated from CCS,” Armand said. “It speaks a lot to the caliber of the school.” Sydney G. James ’01, Illustration, also noted that while the festival marks a first for the city, the event taps into — and helps expand — an existing public art culture in which hundreds of authorized

www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu 11

FEATURE

ELITE NEW FACULTY CCS PROGRAM OFFERINGS STRENGTHENED BY NEW DEPARTMENT CHAIRS

The College for Creative Studies welcomed two internationally recognized designers in Fall 2015. Tim Flattery heads Entertainment Arts — CCS’s largest department — and Aki Choklat leads the new BFA program in Fashion Accessories Design.

KI CHOKLAT, renowned designer

of footwear and accessories, brings a wealth of experience in both industry and education to lead the new BFA in Fashion Accessories Design. He has held

numerous positions with top-tier, international fashion

MODERN CLASSICS

leading film directors, such as Steven Spielberg,

with companies such as Disney, Sony Pictures,

labels and, most recently, was the Creative Director for

Above: “Falcon” shoes from the Privé collection by Aki Choklat.

Tim Burton, Robert Zemeckis and Brad Bird, on

Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Dreamworks.

a number of high-profile film projects – including

CCS’s alumni network and the College’s

1980s blockbuster Back to the Future II, recent box

connections to the entertainment industry

office hits The Hunger Games, Captain America:

give current students exposure to industry

Winter Soldier, and Tomorrowland; and highly

leaders and extensive opportunities for

anticipated films such as Star Trek 3, slated for

internships and job placements with a wide

release in 2016. In addition, he designed and

array of media companies.

supervised full-size construction of the Batmobile

“CCS is one of the best design schools in the

for Batman Forever and the Fantasticar for

country and gave me the skill set and confidence

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Flattery

to build the career I’ve always envisioned,” said

has also dedicated his career to nurturing the next

Flattery. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to

THE FUTURE TODAY

generation of entertainment designers. Before

return to my roots and instill the next generation

Clockwise from left: “Bad Goliath” by Tim Flattery, left; Aki Choklat; “Robert,” shoes from the Privé collection; and rocket interior from Tomorrowland. Above: Near Field Communication – enabled bag by Choklat.

joining CCS, he chaired the Entertainment Design

of entertainment industry artists and designers

Department at Art Center College of Design.

with the same amazing guidance I received many

Entertainment Arts, consisting of Animation,

years ago, but give them unparalleled access to

Game Design and Video, is CCS’s largest program.

industry experts that have thoughtful insight

Its alumni are pursuing highly successful careers

into this ever-evolving field.”

in socio-cultural influencers and the consumer. In addition, he directs his own London-based label of shoes, handbags

leather goods and accessories

notice, and with their rich history and

and accessories, including the first bag collection to allow

hardware. Among only a few such

excellence in product design and crafts

wireless communication between the bag and smartphones

programs in the country, it links strong

disciplines, as well as strong industry

via a Near Field Communication microscopic tag. He helped

creative development to knowledge

partnerships, it’s a wonderful place

establish and lead the Footwear and Accessories master’s

of manufacturing, trend forecasting,

to give young fashion accessories

degree program at Polimoda, Italy’s leading fashion school,

market research and merchandising for

designers the platform they need for

with Ferruccio Ferragamo at the helm, and has taught at

a comprehensive view of the industry.

future success. Detroit is bursting with

the London College of Fashion and De Montfort University.

“Fashion accessories represents

promise, and I’m excited to re-establish

Choklat is also a celebrated author of many design books,

billions in revenue annually and is a seg-

myself and lend my experience to

one of which, Footwear Design, is considered the leading

ment that continues to grow, yet there

a city with such a prosperous future.”

authority on shoe design.

are few institutions in the United States

A 1987 graduate of CCS with

The CCS BFA in Fashion Accessories Design, which

preparing the next generations of

more than 40 film credits to his

launched in September, educates students in the design

accessories designers,” said Choklat.

name, concept artist and educator

and manufacture of products such as footwear, handbags,

“CCS is one of few schools taking

TIM FLATTERY has worked with

12 Winter 2016

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR AKI CHOKLAT COURTESY OF REGGERO MENGONI

London-based agency trendstop.com, which specializes

www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu 13

FEATURE

master’s level are united by a passion to

INTERACTION DESIGN

conceptualize and improve our shared future. As JOANNE HEALY, Dean of Graduate Programs and creator of the MFA IxD program at CCS explains, “Many backgrounds provide preparation for Interaction Design, which is why IxD students come from an array of fields — design, certainly, but art and technology, too. In all cases students have a strong portfolio with disciplined work and successful aesthetic execution. The reality is that

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE CCS MFA

every student in the CCS MFA program is as unique as the program itself.” There’s another notion that all graduate programs in IxD offer training that is the same,

Everyone knows we have thousands of interactions every day — with physical objects and products, digital devices and other people. But not everyone knows about interaction design, a new field that is focused on, that’s right, designing those interactions. There are huge opportunities and huge challenges from today’s technology and today’s complicated world, and CCS is participating in this critical field with its MFA Interaction Design program.

more or less. But the MFA Interaction Design experience at CCS is unique because of its

INNOVATING INTERACTION

curriculum and its location. PAUL PANGARO,

Interaction Design students at CCS become experts at modeling interaction and conversation – between technology and its users.

Ph.D., the recently appointed Chair of the program says, “Our uniqueness starts with our curriculum, grounded in three key design literacies. First, students develop a deep capability with systems — a timeless framework for understanding the complexities of evolving technologies and

platforms. Systems literacy also brings design insights about business markets and social

The quality of modern design is grounded in

nteraction design (or IxD) is an evolving

electronics we use, like refrigerators and phones,

challenges. Of course, conversations are also

a deep understanding of human needs, which

discipline for creating products and

tablets and televisions, as well as the cars

systems of human interactions, and conversation is

comes to MFA IxD students from semester-length,

services to fulfill human needs. Before

we drive, the websites we surf, and how we

required for learning, collaborating and innovating —

hands-on courses in user research. Interaction

interaction design, tech products came

experience everything from department stores

therefore conversation is a key literacy. And design

designers must also have hands-on skills with

mostly from an engineering mindset.

to hotels to airlines. They enable rich experienc-

today inevitably involves teamwork, so IxD

coding and physical prototyping for Internet

Today, design sensibility leads development and

es not only for the world we live in now but also

students acquire collaborative literacy through

of Things, the revolutionary new technology

incorporates compassion, creativity and craft.

for the world we want to live in. Interaction

group projects and reflective practice over the

platform that is overtaking global markets today.

Despite the field’s relative newness, interaction

designers take the future seriously.

course of their two-year MFA experience.”

Students become skilled at the rich interplay of

designers already have a huge impact on our

There’s a notion that a strict design background

Deep traditions of quality and craft have been

usability research, ideation, iterative prototyping

everyday lives and how we spend our time.

is necessary in order to excel at interaction

vibrant at CCS throughout its century-long history

and testing, all necessary to today’s most

Their work is embedded in the appliances and

design. Yet Interaction Design students at the

and are carried forward in the IxD curriculum.

successful designs that delight and engage.

14 Winter 2016

CCS IxD also offers its unique location.

In the end, CCS interaction designers will

Detroit’s vibrant communities of design and

work in scores of industries as product managers

industry give students first-hand experience

and content strategists; as visual and motion

with how value creation has amplified from

designers, information designers and design

manufacture of products to flows of information

researchers; or as community managers,

across today’s networked global economy. Local

front-end developers and systems architects.

industries, their suppliers and their design firms

But, no matter their title or role, they will

all offer rich opportunities for internships

know the power and limits of technology and

and employment. Detroit also affords direct

will have the imagination to think beyond those

exploration of social, economic and environmen-

limits. They will be disciplined and effective

tal challenges, reflecting concerns at a national

collaborators who design solutions that are

and global level, which are constantly on the

not only marketable but share a sense of

minds of students today.

global responsibility.

www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu 15

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS CCS

CCS FACULTY

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

HYUNDAI AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER

Companies across the globe realize that design plays an increasingly crucial role in the competitiveness of their products and in moving the creative economy forward. As a result, CCS’s Corporate Partnerships are expanding.

MFA Transportation Design students explored and identified new symbiotic opportunities between the aviation and land vehicle transportation industries.

SOMERSET COLLECTION

ULTRASUEDE

SOMERSET COLLECTION

Interior Design students developed

Illustration and Crafts students

unique vehicle interior design

created one-of-a-kind shopping

WINTER 2015

solutions that considered demo-

bags that were auctioned off at

INNOVATING

JABIL

graphics and lifestyle trends, brand

an April wine auction.

SOLUTIONS

Product Design students were

language and heritage, and a target

The Metafora system tracks equipment, reduces delays in patient care and improves patient transport and tracking.

challenged to explore the “Internet

customer base.

of Things” resulting in a strategic

Junior Automotive Design stu-

roadmap for the company’s role in the

SHINOLA

dents made random selections

future of smart city, smart agronom-

Product Design, Graphic Design,

of a passenger load and a route

ics, smart retail and smart healthcare.

and Crafts students developed

somewhere around the world and

branding and design opportunities

designed a vehicle for 2025 to

for Shinola’s various accessories

meet those unique needs.

TANK AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH

JABIL

product lines.

DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER (TARDEC)

PUBLIC LIGHTING

Junior Vehicle Design students

AUTHORITY OF DETROIT

CALTY DESIGN RESEARCH

SHELTER (COTS)/FORD

designed a lightweight tactical

Photography students documented

Students in the Senior Automotive

MOTOR COMPANY FUND

mobility vehicle.

the restoration effort in Detroit

Exterior studio designed a vehicle

COTS launched its new Passport

through photographs and video

that would appeal to members

to Self-Sufficiency program — wrap-

slide shows.

of Generation Z in 2025.

around services designed to address

JMC STEEL GROUP

HENRY FORD INNOVATION INSTITUTE AWARDS FELLOWSHIP TO STEPHEN SCHOCK

FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES

COALITION ON TEMPORARY

Fine Arts students designed site-

the underlying issues facing women

specific outdoor sculptures using

and families in one of its transitional

hollow structural steel.

housing centers. In partnership with COTS, MFA Integrated Design

HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM

students conducted research;

CCS Product Design Professor Stephen Schock and his team of Henry Ford Hospital employees won the inaugural Henry Ford Innovation Institute’s

Interior Design students focused

explored, evaluated and generated

Davidson Fellowship for Entrepreneurs in Digital Health competition. Professor Schock was one of 21 fellows selected to compete in the nine-month

on patient-centered design solu-

program to develop digital healthcare products for commercialization.

tions and functionality within HFHS.

“

co-creation tools to help COTS ensure that its interactions with its clients are

CALTY DESIGN RESEARCH

having the intended effect; and made WARDSAUTO

recommendations about client con-

e were all very dedicated to our projects

given the tools and support to develop new digitally enabled solutions

Students in the Senior Automotive

tact points. The project was funded

because we wanted to create something

that address the healthcare challenges of tomorrow.

Interior studio designed an SUV

by the Ford Motor Company Fund

that had value, and actually addressed

Professor Schock and his team conducted research on the patient experi-

or crossover vehicle interior aimed

through the Ford Community Corp,

a real need in healthcare,” Schock said.

ence and patient transfer. They created a business plan and developed a system

at active professionals in 2030.

which will continue to support local

As the global healthcare landscape continues

called Metafora, a digital product that uses proximity beacon technology to

The vehicle was autonomous and

non-profit organizations through

to change, there is a need for new approaches to healthcare that are

track equipment, reduce delays in patient care, and improve patient way-find-

allowed the driver full control for

projects focused on “Socially

more effective, informed and efficient. The competition brings together

ing, transport and tracking. Metafora was selected by a panel of entrepreneur-

adventurous recreational pursuits.

Responsible Service Design.

innovators, educators and corporate partners from around the world

ial experts as “Best Concept for Commercialization.” Plans are being made for

to create new technologies and companies focused on the intersection

further development, beta-testing and a clinical pilot in fall 2015 at the Henry

DELPHI

BE INSPIRED

of healthcare and information technology.

Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield. “The greatest challenge was bringing all of

Students in the Junior Automotive

Participate in a corporate-

Fellows received instruction and mentorship from experienced clinical

the pieces of the solution together to make it real — the technology, software,

Interior Design studio designed