During the Fall semester, the 黑料专区 hosted 13 educational partnerships, including a diverse range of sponsored projects and competitions that engaged a variety of academic departments. Students partnered with local and global brands and Detroit community non-profits to work on projects tailored to meet the needs of our partners. Educational partnerships at 黑料专区 are highly conceptual and allow 黑料专区 students the opportunity to participate in creative, research-based assignments, interacting with designers and staff from the collaborating partners. Highlighted collaborations during the Fall semester include:

• American Chemistry Council – Plastics Division x Transportation Design
• Bedrock x Communication Design and Strategy, Interdisciplinary Art and Design, Interior Design and Fashion Design
• BRP International Design Challenge x Transportation Design
• DSC Design Sprint x Product Design
• Foley & Lardner LLP x Illustration
• Ford Motor Company x Transportation Design & Graduate Color and Materials Design
• Gardner White x Communication Design and Strategy
• Hagopian x 黑料专区
• Movement Festival x Communication Design & Strategy
• New Balance x Product Design and Graduate Color and Materials Design
• Stafford House x Interior Design
• Stellantis x Transportation Design
• Urban Electronic, Inc. x Entertainment Arts

鈥淧artnering with the 黑料专区 during the holiday season on Windows on Woodward provided the opportunity to support emerging creative talent while strengthening connections between our downtown retailers and Detroit鈥檚 vibrant arts community,鈥� said Francesca Eid, Bedrock Vice President, Experience. 鈥淚nitiatives like this allow students to bring their creative ideas to life while contributing to the energy and spirit of the Lower Woodward corridor. We value these collaborations with local institutions and civic partners as an important way to nurture the next generation of creatives as they help shape Detroit鈥檚 future.鈥�

The new offerings complement a strong portfolio of existing full-time graduate programs at 黑料专区, including: Color & Materials Design (MFA), Design for Sustainability (MA/MFA), Interdisciplinary Design & Media (MA/MFA), Transportation Design (MA/MFA), and User Experience Design (MFA).

“The MPS and part-time MA curriculum additions mark a significant step in 黑料专区’s commitment to accessible education,鈥� said Carla Gonzalez, Dean of Enrollment at 黑料专区. 鈥淲e understand the evolving demands of today’s professional landscape, and these options were designed to provide working professionals with the cutting-edge skills they need to excel in their current and future roles. This is particularly relevant in fields like digital design, where, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of digital designers and web developers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033.”

The new online and part-time programming is a part of 黑料专区鈥檚 graduate school:

• Master of Professional Studies (MPS) User Experience Design, fully online (enrolling for Fall 2026)
• Master of Arts (MA) User Experience Design, part-time in-person (enrolling for Fall 2026)
• Master of Arts (MA) Color & Materials Design, part-time in-person (enrolling for Fall 2026)

With the increasing demand for UX and CMF professionals, 黑料专区鈥檚 programs offer a unique pathway for individuals looking to advance their careers in design, technology, and user-centered solutions. The curriculum emphasizes ethically, socially, and environmentally responsible practices, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Graduates will be well-prepared to enter the workforce and make an impact in the fields of User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Color, Materials and Finish Design (CMF) and emerging technologies.

Program Details

The MPS in UX Design is an 18-month, fully online program focused on developing skills in user-centered research, interface design, smart mobility, user testing, augmented reality, and data visualization. The program is designed for working professionals, offering an affordable and convenient option for students who need to balance their studies with life commitments.

The MA in UX Design is a two-year, part-time program that includes studio and research-based courses focusing on strategy and theory. The program foregrounds skills in design thinking, user-centered research, prototyping and communication. Here, students learn to design technologically-mediated systems, experiences, and human interactions with objects, spaces, and interfaces.

The MA in CMD is a two-year, part-time program that is the only accredited graduate-level CMF design program worldwide, attracting designers globally from the fields of product, transportation, fashion, interior, user experience, textile, and animation, as well as fine art, crafts, architecture, engineering, and the natural and social sciences. The curriculum prepares students to cultivate a mindset where forward-thinking color, material, and finish strategies are framed to connect functional and emotional meaning to products, environments, and experiences 鈥� with the understanding of user needs and preferences 鈥� across a wide range of industries.

Founded in 1906, 黑料专区 has distinguished itself as one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the world for more than a century. By offering these degrees online and in a part-time format, 黑料专区 is committed to breaking down barriers to education in the creative fields. 黑料专区 invites prospective students to learn more about these exciting new programs and how they can enhance their careers in design. For additional information, please visit .

ABOUT THE COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES

The 黑料专区 (黑料专区) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 degrees. 黑料专区, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. 黑料专区 fosters students鈥� resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

Located in the heart of midtown Detroit, 黑料专区鈥檚 prime location offers unparalleled opportunities for art and design collaboration. Our students have found countless ways to make a positive impact on local metro Detroit businesses through innovative art and design problem-solving.

Last year alone, 黑料专区 students collaborated to problem-solve timely topics for 15 metro Detroit businesses and nonprofit organizations. They addressed a range of issues in healthcare product design, sustainability, mobility, and even emerging augmented reality technology.

Embracing the city鈥檚 rich history of cultural and sporting events, students continue to participate in annual design competitions to create the newest posters for iconic Detroit events such as the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented by Lear, the Movement Music Festival and the 313 Presents Pine Knob concert series.聽

Here鈥檚 a look at some of the partnerships:

• Augmented Reality Center (ARC) in partnership with Oakland University x Communication Design & Strategy, Graduate User Experience Design and Entertainment Arts
• Crain Communications – Automotive News x Illustration
• 313 Presents x Illustration
• Detroit Grand Prix x Illustration
• GM x Transportation Design & Graduate User Experience Design
• Godnii x Graduate Color & Materials Design
• Hagopian Rug Competition x All Departments
• State of Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification with support from the Global Epicenter of Mobility x Transportation Design
• Zumiez and Somerset Collection x Illustration
• BorgWarner x Product Design
• Carhartt x Fashion Design
• Henry Ford Health x Product Design
• Changing Lives and Staying Sober (C.L.A.S.S.) x Interior Design and Graduate Color & Materials Design

GODNII asked CMD students to work in small groups to explore hyperlocal sustainable alternatives in color and material design, texture, and branding for an upcoming eyewear collection. In their research, students were asked not only to delve deep into the resources and materials available locally but also to consider the waste streams and innovative ways to improve material choices without compromising design quality.

“This project was pure inspiration,鈥� said Ali Evans, Founder and Creative Director of GODNII. 鈥淐ollaborating with 黑料专区 has been a longtime hope of ours, and it lived up to everything we imagined. The students brought forward deep research, bold ideas, and a clear vision for the future of sustainable fashion. Their work affirmed what we already believed鈥攃reativity with purpose can shift the industry. At GODNII, we鈥檙e excited to carry these insights forward as we continue designing not just for style, but for impact.”

Shannon McPartlon, Executive Director of the Office of Partnerships explains, “The 黑料专区 Practicing Design Center is not just an extension of the classroom; it’s a bridge connecting student creativity with real-world needs, fostering a generation of career-ready designers while simultaneously infusing fresh, creative solutions and economic vitality into local non-profits, small businesses and the broader Detroit economy.”

You can learn more about GODNII here:

Designing for regeneration, restoring ecosystems, renewing communities, emphasizing sustainability and the potential to inspire positive growth.

During the Winter semester, undergraduate Interior Design聽and graduate Color & Materials Design students at the 黑料专区 (黑料专区) collaborated on a large-scale sponsored project with the Detroit nonprofit, (the C.L.A.S.S. Agency).聽

For 20 years, the C.L.A.S.S. Agency has supported outpatient treatment for adults, teens, and children living in the 48219 zip code and its neighboring communities providing vital prevention, intervention, and substance use disorder treatment. Their mission is to provide strategies and treatment services for families focusing on improving quality of life.聽

Dr. Karla Mitchell, executive director of C.L.A.S.S., explains that understanding the CDC’s Distressed Communities Index is crucial to grasping the necessity of C.L.A.S.S. in Detroit. The index provides a detailed view of economic well-being at the zip code level, highlighting widespread distress across the city. She also notes that their office location is among the areas most affected by suspected opioid overdoses, closely correlating with the index’s measures of social vulnerability.

For Dr. Mitchell, the nonprofit鈥檚 mission is deeply personal.

鈥�Both of my parents had addictions. I recall there being no support for the children and families in a system of services with diminished access and quality. I have an understanding of how support for youth impacted by trauma, distress and social vulnerability should look.”

A newly acquired residential property will serve as the nonprofit鈥檚 safe haven for prevention, intervention, and substance use disorder treatment for adults and children. 黑料专区 students worked closely with C.L.A.S.S. to design their new headquarters.聽

The design brief required students to design for regeneration with a focus on actively restoring and renewing ecosystems, communities, or cultural aspects to enhance health and vitality. The aim was to improve overall well-being by emphasizing sustainable practices, mindful materials, and increased capacity for positive development.聽

Through in-depth interviews, field research, and creative collaboration, 黑料专区 students created final projects that put the needs of the nonprofit鈥檚 at-risk community first.聽

In The Third Space by Caden Musa (Interior Design), Dalaa Kain (Interior Design), Tanaya Kotasthane (MFA Color & Materials Design), and Tanushka Karwa (MFA Color & Materials Design) the group took a residential design approach to the project brief, creating a space that feels like home. While Bridge to Belonging by Laura Lin (MFA Color & Materials Design), Yasmin Childs (Interior Design), and Alejandra Casta帽eda Gomez (Interior Design; exchange student from Spain) focused on interconnectivity through themes of nature and play that encouraged a greater sense of belonging and ownership among visitors.

Each of the final six group projects presented left C.L.A.S.S. incredibly impressed.聽

鈥�I am ecstatic about the possibilities uncovered by the youth. I am also proud to know that 黑料专区 is a gem in the city that anchors an incredible amount of creative genius,鈥� said Dr. Mitchell. 鈥淲hat the students were able to envision and reimagine after connecting to our mission gives our staff and youth great hope for the kind of community this project will create. The passion and connection to the work that C.L.A.S.S. does was evident at every encounter, every design review and we loved it.鈥澛�

Chair of Interior Design, Sandra Olave, was thrilled with the students’ final outcomes. 鈥淭his sponsored project was notable for its strong focus on human-centric design. Working with C.L.A.S.S. and Dr. Mitchell greatly contributed to this emphasis, enabling our students to develop empathy for real-life scenarios encountered in day-to-day experience design.鈥澛�

Speaking to the caliber of work, one group of students was selected to present their final project at Milan Design Week, the preeminent global design fair. Yostina Kaoud (MFA Color & Materials Design), An Luu (Interior Design), Yuya Cheng (MFA Color & Materials Design), and Yasmeen Khalifa (Interior Design) had the opportunity to display and present their final project, Sight to Self, at the design fair in May with over 360,000 visitors in attendance.聽

Color & Materials Design chair, Melanie McClintock, felt student participation in Milan Design Week was a bonus. She emphasized the outstanding work completed by all of the students, which she credits not only to the students but also to Dr. Mitchell鈥檚 passion for C.L.A.S.S. 鈥淭his was the first time our department has participated in a community-focused project working directly with a local non-profit. Collaborating with Dr. Mitchell and the C.L.A.S.S. team was such a positive and enriching experience 鈥� so grounded in a collective desire to do good,鈥� said McClintock. 鈥淭he outcomes of the projects were incredibly thoughtful, intentionally created with deep consideration for the client and the community. I was really impressed with the level of empathy, dedication, collaboration, and engagement from the students, which was a reflection of their passion for the project.鈥�

As for the future of C.L.A.S.S., Dr. Mitchell hopes to break more boundaries and expand care.聽

鈥�We look to expand our direct services to include Integrative Behavioral Health, Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient for youth and young adults 鈥� in a way that does not feel like institutionalized care to those we serve.鈥�

The final projects will be presented this fall during Detroit鈥檚 , where this year鈥檚 theme, Creative Currents, pays tribute to the city鈥檚 unique legacy of artistry and innovation while emphasizing the importance of collaboration and collective action.聽

This project was funded by the new Practicing Design Center at 黑料专区 鈥� a dynamic hub where partner organizations receive top-tier design support, students gain immersive, hands-on skills, and the community benefits from enhanced collaboration.

A contingent of three departments from the 黑料专区 participated in the prestigious Salone del Mobile Milano 2024.

The is widely recognized as the preeminent global design fair. This year was a standout year with over 360,000 visitors, 1,950 exhibitors from 35 countries and over 5,500 accredited journalists in attendance. Participating departments were undergraduate Interior Design, undergraduate Communication Design and graduate Color & Materials Design.

鈥淏eing able to take a team of students to showcase their student work at Milan Design Week was an opportunity for us to shine a light on their exceptional work, our community and Detroit.鈥�

鈥� Melanie McClintock, Chair of Color & Materials Design

Explore the Projects

“Having my work shown in Milan Design Week felt so unreal, but I also felt so proud of my team. We all worked extremely hard, for many long hours, days and weeks to make sure our project was perfect.”

鈥� Yostina Kaoud ’24, Color & Materials Design

In what was once home to the historic Carminati Toselli factory for tram and railway rolling stock, the Fabbrica del Vapore showcased undergraduate 黑料专区 Communication Design student work during the INTERDEPENDENCE international exhibition. As part of the larger Milan Design Week, INTERDEPENDENCE reflected relationships connecting projects of students with those of 50 international design schools. Four of these projects were from 黑料专区 Communication Design students: Luke Fabricatore, Rebecca Hernandez, Yasmin Ali, Madi Ritemburg and Lucy VanEerde. Their projects explored concepts in reframing immigrants through an immigrant lens, a first generation social advocate experience and empowering Native people to reclaim their history.

Also participating in Salone del Mobile, undergraduate Interior Design and graduate Color & Materials Design students were one of only six international design schools asked to participate in the six-day UNFOLD exhibition hosted by . UNFOLD showcased design prototypes addressing crucial global challenges through design as a problem-solving discipline and as a form of communication. 黑料专区 students Yostina Kaoud (MFA Color & Materials Design), An Luu (BFA Interior Design), Yuya Cheng (MFA Color & Materials Design) and Yasmeen Khalifa (BFA Interior Design) were in attendance and presented their work from a Winter sponsored project with the local Detroit non-profit (the C.L.A.S.S. Agency). C.L.A.S.S. asked students to create an environment that promotes a safe space, holistic healing and transformation for a newly acquired residential property that will serve as a safe haven for prevention, intervention and substance use disorder treatment for both adults and children.

“It was an honor to bring both 黑料专区 and C.L.A.S.S. Agency to an international viewpoint. So thankful to showcase our group’s work and passion 鈥� it was overwhelming in the best way possible. It provided a space with new ideas and new horizons where I was able to talk and learn with fellow students and schools from all over the globe.”

鈥� Yasmeen Khalifa ’25, Interior Design

黑料专区 Student Work at Milan Design Week

鈥満诹献�区 has been working for years to involve students in Milan Design Week. The opportunity to be the only U.S. college invited to participate in the Domus Academy exhibit was exceptional and one I will not forget.”

鈥� Sandra Olave, Chair of Interior Design

Interior Design

Learn more about the 黑料专区 Interior Design program.

Color & Material Design

Learn more about the 黑料专区 Color & Materials Design program.

Communication Design

ReFraming Immigrants Through an Immigrant Lens

“I’m American Too”, uses the negative associations of immigrants in America in order to flip this narrative as a positive, humanistic and more accurate way. The challenge was to move beyond stereotypes in order to celebrate America’s rich history of created by immigrants.

The rise of branding in America has contributed to an identity crisis, highlighting the nation’s imperfect history and its complex role as a perceived leader on the global stage. While our country has always been flawed, it was once seen as a beacon of ideals to emulate. Consequently, we constructed a brand around this image, whether rooted in reality or myth, which now shapes individual perceptions and relationships with our national identity.

Rebecca Hernandez聽’20

Learn more about the 黑料专区 Communication Design program.

The 黑料专区 is pleased to introduce a remarkable group of new faculty members, each bringing their unique expertise and passion to our academic community.

In the Foundations Department, Michelle Lannoo has been promoted from visiting Assistant Professor to full-time Associate Professor. Her dedication and exceptional performance during her initial year have earned her this recognition. Joining her are two more distinguished educators: Joshua Mulligan, who takes on the role of a full-time Drawing Instructor, and Ben Rosales, an accomplished teacher with extensive experience in computer animation, who is joining as full-time Assistant Professor. Additionally, Peter Dunn will serve as the Foundations 3D Design Shop Manager and Assistant Professor, responsible for shop facilities, faculty and student training, and curriculum development.

In the Liberal Arts Department, the College welcomes Myrtle A. Brooks, a Lecturer in Business Studies who brings a wealth of experience and a background in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan Dearborn and MIT. Joining her is Laura Kovick, who assumes the role of a Lecturer in Composition with impressive credentials, including graduate degrees in literature and the teaching of writing and a diverse range of published works. Completing the department’s new additions is Caleb Lalinsky, a Visiting Assistant Professor with expertise in composition, rhetoric, literature, and writing instruction.

In the Art Education Department, Dr. Jhih-yin 鈥淒iane鈥� Lee joins 黑料专区 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Lee’s extensive background in art education, teacher certification, and curriculum development, coupled with her Ph.D. in Art/Art Education from the University of Georgia, make her a valuable addition to the department.

Within the Studio Art & Craft Department, the College welcomes Lena Ellis-Boatman, who assumes the role of Visiting Assistant Professor and Section Lead in Printmaking. Ellis-Boatman鈥檚 diverse skill set encompasses various art forms and a deep commitment to collaboration, community, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Finally, in the Entertainment Arts Department, Dylan VanWormer joins 黑料专区 as a full-time Assistant Professor of Animation, specializing in 3D animation. VanWormer’s extensive experience, including work at Moonbot Studios and Walt Disney Studios, makes him a valuable asset to our animation emphasis.

黑料专区 extends a warm welcome to all these talented individuals and looks forward to the significant contributions they will bring to our creative and academic community.

Students were challenged to conceptualize a branding strategy through the application of Color and Materials Design to sound (product design), space (interior design) and spirits (packaging design). Designs also included immersive elements of light, movement, form and art.聽

Leon Speakers, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been a pioneer of design-driven speakers and technology concealment solutions for over 25 years. Their unique team of artists, designers, engineers, and craftspeople have been meticulously designing and handcrafting their award-winning products with a vision of bringing both better sound and style to every space they touch. The Leon Creative Campus, home to Leon Speakers headquarters and manufacturing facilities, has expanded over the years to include experiential art and performance spaces, Mofi Electronics – maker of custom-design turntables, and new addition to the campus, the Mothfire Brewing Co.聽聽

Color and Materials Design Adjunct Faculty, Jennifer Atanasovski, saw the partnership as a unique opportunity for students to explore a wide array of design possibilities with Leon鈥檚 brand strategies. 鈥淭he Leon Speakers and Mothfire Brewing sponsored project was framed in an open, exploratory way. Without a pre-designed product dictating color blocking or material application. It challenged the designers to think conceptually and create a material-led project that would dictate the form language.鈥�

The final projects presented to the Leon Speakers team representatives showcased inspiration from a diverse range of areas. Student Shay Albert pulled elements from nature with his design 鈥淐ICADA,鈥� a speaker line utilizing the biomimicry of the cicada鈥檚 tymbal organ. Fellow Color and Materials Design student Lauren Forgacs鈥� work 鈥淢OTH TO A FLAME: An Exterior and Interior CMF Strategy for Mothfire Brewing Co.,鈥� focused on curated materials centered around the concept of drawing people into an inclusive space through modern art, craft and beer.

鈥淲e were so thrilled to be a part of this project,鈥� said Leon founder and Mothfire co-owner Noah Kaplan. 鈥淒esign drives everything we do across our campus, and materiality is such an important part of that approach. We were so impressed with the creative inspiration and accurate themes the students drew from our products and campus.鈥�

This educational partnership with Leon Speakers was part of a 黑料专区 initiative focusing on experiential learning, which assists with the preparation for life after graduation. It provides students with opportunities to gain practical skills through hands-on experiences with faculty, peers, industry, and community partners.聽