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

For the past 20 years, American Chemistry Council has partnered with 黑料专区 (黑料专区) in educational design studios. These sponsored projects have allowed countless 黑料专区 students the opportunity to participate in creative, research-based assignments within real-world design parameters, all while interacting with American Chemistry Council experts.

鈥淥ur longstanding partnership with 黑料专区 has helped forge a new era in transportation design focused on eliminating plastic waste in the environment,鈥� Gina Oliver, Senior Director Durable Markets Advocacy at American Chemistry Council said. 鈥�ACC鈥檚 vision for sustainability聽is at the core of everything ACC and our members stand for and together through our work with 黑料专区 and the automotive industry, we are working to create the innovative sustainable materials necessary for a circular automotive industry. This transformative industry change must begin first and foremost with automotive design. 黑料专区 is a preeminent school in transportation design and for the past 20 years, its students have been a huge part of the sustainable future that ACC and its members are working to achieve in this industry. These visionary budding automotive designers are truly the future of automotive sustainability and circularity.鈥�

Founded in 1872, American Chemistry Council (ACC) is an industry trade association for American chemical companies, based in Washington, D.C. ACC represents more than 190 companies engaged in the business of chemistry, advocating for the people, policy and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing.聽

In the most recent sponsored studio this past fall, undergraduate and graduate Transportation Design students designed an electric vehicle for the year 2050. Designs were required to feature plastics and polymer composite solutions that demonstrate a fully circular economy from design through end-of-life. Students also had to articulate the benefits and enabling technologies that contributed to the sustainable materials chosen for their design.聽

At the final presentation, students showcased innovative designs tackling future mobility, deconstruction and sustainability challenges.

Oliver believed the final student designs were at a top level. 鈥淭hese young designers embraced the recognition that in order to keep automotive durable materials out of our environment at end-of-life, we need to make sweeping industry changes that begin first and foremost at the point of design. This year鈥檚 project outcomes were nothing short of incredible 鈥� honestly the best in our 20 years with 黑料专区. These talented designers are the key to a low-carbon, circular automotive industry future.鈥�

Graduate Transportation Design student Arturo Barrera Rodriguez presented UMobi, a mobility infrastructure system that included a two-seater electric vehicle connected to the UMobi recycling system. A standout selection of unusual sustainable materials 鈥揵iodegraded carrots and recycled carbon fiber鈥� showed Barrera Rodriguez鈥檚 depth of research and application. He also created a digital cataloging system of each component of the UMobi system using a coding system where individual components of the vehicle could be scanned at the disassembly plant with a material make-up list. This will allow individual materials to be easily disassembled and sorted for recycling.聽

Undergraduate Transportation Design student Benjamin Pollitz introduced his final project, 颁颈迟谤辞毛苍, a compact truck made with sustainable plastic construction. The electric truck is designed to transport goods and supplies between population centers and communities at their outskirts. The design included advanced recycling technology 鈥揳n enzyme-based process that breaks down petroleum-based plastics into monomers鈥� resulting in components that can then be used to make new virgin plastics.聽

Shannon McPartlon, Executive Director of the Office of Partnerships at 黑料专区 is grateful for the long-standing partnership with American Chemistry Council Plastics Division. 鈥淭heir commitment to nurturing and supporting the next generation of designers is truly remarkable. Over the past two decades, we have worked closely with ACC to shape a shared vision for classroom projects, creating an inspiring environment where students are encouraged to explore material innovations. This partnership has consistently challenged students to envision a better future for all through their creative designs within the transportation industry.鈥�

To learn more about the Undergraduate Transportation Design program at 黑料专区 please visit /academics/undergraduate-programs/transportation-design/.

To learn more about the Graduate Transportation Design program at 黑料专区 please visit聽 /academics/graduate-programs/.

To learn more about American Chemistry Council please visit .

Through two semester-long projects in collaboration with Ford Motor Company, Gravity Sketch and American Chemistry Council, 黑料专区 students showed off their sustainable vehicle designs for the future of transportation.

The 黑料专区 (黑料专区) is proud to announce the successful completion of two groundbreaking projects sponsored through the Transportation Design program during the Fall 2023 semester. These two projects, carried out separately in collaboration with Ford and Gravity Sketch and American Chemistry Council, demonstrate the College鈥檚 commitment to fostering creativity, sustainability, cutting-edge design and innovation for the future of automotive technology.

Throughout the semester, graduate and undergraduate Transportation Design students delved into various aspects of future mobility, considering factors such as lifestyle habits, urban green spaces, deconstruction, reuse and the enhancement of current transportation systems. By leveraging these sponsored projects, 黑料专区 students demonstrated their understanding of sustainability considerations and the potential of these materials to address human and environmental challenges.

The project “Conceptual Vehicle Design for Ford Using Gravity Sketch” challenged graduate and undergraduate students to envision the future of Ford vehicles in the year 2050. Students used Gravity Sketch as a virtual studio in VR, to design conceptual vehicles at 1:1 scale that were suitable for a road trip in various nations across the world. They continued using the software to build out the surrounding creative environment to support the storytelling of their work.

One student group designed a vehicle that could transport a band from Brisbane to Sydney, Australia. The vehicle has spaces for sleeping, writing and recording music. It can stop in different locations and transform into a mobile concert station, allowing the band to perform wherever and whenever they choose. Due to its adaptable design, the vehicle can also serve as a mobile blood bank or ambulance.

Celebrating 20 years of collaboration between 黑料专区 and American Chemistry Council, the project 鈥淐lose-Loop Production and Recycling in Future Mobility,鈥� encouraged undergraduate and graduate students to design an electric vehicle for the year 2050 that featured sustainable plastics and composite solutions. The students were asked to pay close attention to the deconstruction process and design an end-of-life reuse and recycling system. The project emphasized the importance of green space initiatives and harmonious urban environments that had a positive impact on daily life.

Students were challenged to produce digital models with animations and storyboard graphics and shared a final presentation that included models of their conceptual vehicles. Both physical and digital models showcased the students鈥� craftsmanship and attention to detail, while the storyboard graphics provided insights into the vehicles鈥� circular economy principles and user experience.

Inspired by the future of American railway travel, one student designed a fully autonomous intermediary electric vehicle that can transport individuals and objects to the train station. The vehicle itself is able to board the train and disembark at its destination. The vehicle was imagined as completely constructed of recyclable plastics, polyethylene and polycarbonate. Toward the end of its life cycle, the vehicle would be deconstructed, its former parts being used to build the next edition of the same vehicle.

These sponsored projects not only provide students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge design and sustainability, but also valuable insight into the minds of industry professionals. 黑料专区 continues to be at the forefront of preparing the next generation of transportation designers to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the future.

鈥淥ur longstanding partnership with 黑料专区 has helped forge a new era in transportation design focused on eliminating plastic waste in the environment,鈥� Gina Oliver, Senior Director Durable Markets Advocacy at American Chemistry Council said. 鈥淎CC鈥檚 vision for sustainability is at the core of everything ACC and our members stand for and together through our work with 黑料专区 and the automotive industry, we are working to create the innovative sustainable materials necessary for a circular automotive industry. This transformative industry change must begin first and foremost with automotive design. 黑料专区 is a preeminent school in transportation design and for the past 20 years, its students have been a huge part of the sustainable future that ACC and its members are working to achieve in this industry. These visionary budding automotive designers are truly the future of automotive sustainability and circularity.鈥�

ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company鈥檚 Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) Plastics Division supports sustainability initiatives that are conducted in accordance with principles that conserve resources and minimize the environmental and health impacts of plastics and plastic products. We鈥檙e working to end plastic waste while lowering carbon emissions throughout the plastics lifecycle. Plastics help us ensure greater sustainability by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy at home, work, and on the road. We鈥檙e committed to combining innovation with sustainability for a lower carbon future and a circular economy for plastic. Learn more at PlasticMakers.org

ABOUT GRAVITY SKETCH
Founded in 2014, Gravity Sketch is on a mission to revolutionize the way we bring ideas to life, and fundamentally change the way product design is done today. The platform enables everyone involved in the product design process to work collaboratively in 3D and at scale; teams can express ideas, iterate, share and review in a virtual studio, from first sketch to final build. Gravity Sketch is currently used by top Automotive, Apparel & Footwear, and Film studios around the world.

Record enrollment, high job placement, and international awards have the 黑料专区鈥� Graduate Transportation Design program reaching new heights.

For the past fourteen years, 黑料专区 has housed one of the only Graduate Transportation Design programs in the country. The College is no stranger to teaching automotive design 鈥� in fact, its undergraduate Transportation Design program has been around for 60+ years and 黑料专区 alumni can be found in the design departments of almost every major auto manufacturer and nearly all the tier 1 auto suppliers.

If you ask Chair of the Graduate Transportation Design program, Raphael Zammit, what best embodies the program鈥檚 learning objectives he will point to the thesis project. 鈥淒epth of inquiry, research, concept development, resolution of complex system integrations, and conceptual storytelling are all just the baseline of what every thesis student has to master.鈥� He explains, 鈥渢he core vision of the program is to equip bright students from all over the world with the ability to both imagine and realize the most spectacular of mobility scenarios (vehicles, systems, experiences, stories).鈥�

The thesis projects showcase this sentiment of breadth and depth of study in the development of truly novel solutions that advance the field of mobility. This year鈥檚 graduate thesis projects explored a wide range of original concepts from economic and environmentally sustainable tourism, to all-terrain mobile medical clinics, to inflatable rescue drones for severe urban flooding.

A core strength underlying both graduate and undergraduate Transportation Design programs is 黑料专区鈥檚 location. Where else would a more well-suited location for a transportation design program be than the Motor City itself?

Recent graduate Ziheng Zhang, 鈥�23 MFA Transportation Design, relocated from China to attend this program and is now working for General Motors as a Creative Designer in its China Advance Studio.

鈥淚 think 黑料专区 is an unavoidable school for students who want to study transportation design, and being located in Detroit gives students here more exposure to GM, Ford and Stellantis. Most importantly, for me, who had just graduated from college with basic knowledge of design, but was completely new to transportation design, the curriculum here was very much what I needed.鈥�

The 黑料专区 Transportation Design studios are housed in the building where GM鈥檚 first automotive design studio was born – the very place where GM鈥檚 first head of design, Harley Earl, and other pioneers created groundbreaking vehicles that launched the field of modern automotive design. Today, industry leaders in the mobility sector and beyond come here from around the world to seek top talent. Design competitions, internships, and industry sponsored projects have opened doors for graduate placement at nearly every major vehicle manufacturer and supplier globally. Zammit believes there鈥檚 no question being located in Detroit is an advantage.

鈥淥ur proximity to the largest United States Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) gives us a huge pool of amazing designers to teach and mentor our students. In addition, Detroit is a special place. Its legacy for design innovation is in its DNA. It鈥檚 not only historically acknowledged – it鈥檚 alive and well today and expanding as the city itself continues to transform and grow.鈥�

The spirit of exploration, creativity and connection also brought Nicholas Molina, 鈥�23 MFA Transportation Design, to move from Italy to the U.S. to attend this program.聽 Molina is currently working as an exterior design intern at Fisker Inc.

鈥淲hat I liked about the masters program at 黑料专区 was the curriculum, the history of 黑料专区 in car design, and the amazing work from the recent graduates at the time from the masters program. Being able to have classes with amazing professionals that are active in the industry, learning from them, sharing a space to be creative was very inspiring to me. Having such great connections with the Detroit auto industry and the rest world, along with the incredible sponsored studios, gives students all the tools needed to be competitive in a very difficult market.鈥�

With numbers like a 100% job placement rate for the 2022 graduating class, and alumni working both locally (Stellantis, Ford, GM, Yangfeng) and abroad (GAC, NIO, Volvo, Polaris, BRP to name a few) 鈥� the STEM-designated program is making a name for itself. Students have been internationally recognized with two Car Design News Magna Bold Global Perspective awards, one silver and two bronze level Creative Conscious awards and a 2023 BRP finalist award 鈥� all within the past three years. The program has caught the attention of companies like Tesla, Honda, Mazda, Mercedes and 3M, with internships and sponsored studios.聽

Zammit鈥檚 passion for this program and how much he learns from teaching these students is undeniable. Building a creative environment that focuses on staying agile in an ever-changing field of mobility, while also maintaining the core foundation of critical thinking and creative mastery is at the heart of the program. And the inspiration he receives in return from the students and their perspectives is what fuels him to continue as chair of the program. 鈥淢y true hope is that 黑料专区 Graduate Transportation Design is simply known as the place where anything is possible – where dreamers learn how to realize their visions no matter how challenging they might seem. This process is truly inspiring and endlessly rewarding for me.鈥�

To learn more about the Transportation Design graduate program please visit.

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.