During the Winter semester, the College for Creative Studies hosted 14 sponsored projects, including a diverse range of sponsored projects and competitions that engaged a variety of academic departments. Students partnered with local and global brands to work on a specific project tailored to meet the needs of our industry sponsors. Educational partnerships at CCS are highly conceptual and allow CCS students the opportunity to participate in creative, research-based assignments, interacting with designers and staff from the collaborating company. Highlighted collaborations during the Winter semester include:

  • Augmented Reality Center (ARC) in partnership with Oakland University x Communication Design and Strategy, MFA User Experience Design and Entertainment Arts
  • Crain Communications – Automotive News x Illustration
  • 313 Presents x Illustration
  • BorgWarner x Product Design
  • Covestro x MFA Transportation Design
  • Detroit Grand Prix x Illustration
  • GM x BFA Transportation Design & MFA User Experience Design
  • GODNII x MA/MFA Color and Materials Design
  • Hagopian Rug Competition x All Departments
  • Office of Future Mobility and Electrification with support from the Global Epicenter of Mobility x Transportation Design
  • MAWBY Sparkling Wines x Illustration
  • Trek Bikes x Product Design
  • University of Michigan Dearborn – Environmental Interpretive Center x Communication Design and Strategy & Interior Design
  • Zumiez and Somerset Collection x Illustration

“This project was pure inspiration,” said Ali Evans, Founder and Creative Director of GODNII. “Collaborating with CCS 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—creativity with purpose can shift the industry. At GODNII, we’re excited to carry these insights forward as we continue designing not just for style, but for impact.”

A team of four students from College for Creative Studies took first place for their sustainable spray paint, FlowState, at the international Biodesign Challenge Summit (BDC) held at Parsons School of Design in New York City in June. The students formulated a temporary paint made from upcycled food waste streams, addressing health and environmental concerns of traditional spray paint. The team also developed a research-backed brand strategy and visual identity to accompany their final product. Winning team members were Maxim Van Duyne (MFA Design for Sustainability), Abigail Carballo (BFA Product Design), O’Dell Carson III (MFA Color and Materials Design) and Amber Tao (MA Color and Materials Design). Guiding the project was Melanie McClintock, CCS alumna and Chair of Color & Materials Design.

“I couldn’t be prouder,” said McClintock. “The team jumped into working with the community immediately after receiving the brief and let the community’s needs drive their concept.”

To better understand local needs and fine-tune their finished product, the team had a sponsored partnership with Brittany Dabney at Ecosphere Organics, a collaboration with LeJuan Council at Feed Your Neighbor and received BDC mentorship from Jennifer Willet, Director of the Incubator Art Lab in Windsor, Canada.

A Color & Materials Design student wearing a white lab coat demonstrating the application of their sustainable spray paint from upscaling food waste streams

This win marks the third time CCS has taken home the first-place prize, the Glass Microbe, competing among 50+ international schools from over 17 countries. “While it’s always a heavy lift,” McClintock said, “watching the students connect with people of like minds — who are at the intersection of design, science, play, materiality, and sustainability — and see the smiles on their faces when being seen and understood…this is the greatest gift.”

CCS students presenting their project Flowstate from a sponsored studio with Ecosphere Organics at the annual Biodesign Challenge Summit in 2026
Three Color & Materials Design students wearing white lab coats demonstrating their method for creating sustainable spray paint from upscaling food waste streams
Two students wearing white lab coats demonstrating their method for creating sustainable spray paint from upscaling food waste streams
Students presenting their final for a Color & Materials Design sponsored studio with Ecosphere Organics