Remembering the Legacy of Maria Luisa Rossi, Designer, Educator and Professor Emeritus

The College for Creative Studies Mourns the Loss of a Beloved Professor and Design Leader.

Maria Luisa Rossi, Professor Emeritus, passed away on November 4, 2025, after a long, brave battle. She is survived by her husband, Vincenzo Iavicoli, and children, Giulia and Matteo.

For 16 years, Maria Luisa served as the founding Chair and Professor for the College’s graduate System Design Thinking program. Known for her passion for education and design, she mentored and influenced the next generation of designers while establishing standards of excellence for CCS’s graduate programs. She cared deeply for her students and was committed to sharing her global perspective, human-centered design practices and strategic design vision to push students to address important local and worldwide challenges through social innovation. Maria Luisa formed many meaningful relationships with partners across the globe that helped advance her program and the careers of her students.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Maria Luisa. She was an impressive force at CCS whose vision, creativity and dedication drove many important experiential learning projects and student success,” said Don Tuski, CCS President. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and all who loved her.”

Her leadership at CCS was essential in the College’s hosting of the Design for Adaptation Cumulus Conference in 2022. Cumulus is the leading global association of art and design education and research. As a long-standing Cumulus member, Maria Luisa chaired the Cumulus Conference for Detroit in 2022, bringing the College and city global exposure.

“Maria Luisa was utterly devoted to her students. And beyond that, her expertise and drive was vital in making the Cumulus Conference a success here at CCS,” said Ian Lambert, CCS Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. “This conference not only elevated the College’s reputation but was also an excellent opportunity for our students to participate in diverse design and sustainability conversations and networking opportunities. We are forever grateful for the expertise and hard work she dedicated to making that conference a success.”

Maria Luisa and her husband Vincenzo were both awarded the title of Professor Emeritus upon retirement from CCS for their valuable contributions made to the college and their students.

Prior to her time at CCS, Maria Luisa’s professional career was independent and international. She obtained her master’s degree in industrial design at Domus Academy in Milano, thanks to a European Scholarship she won from designing the first wearable computer and winning an international design competition. The wearable computer project, “The Walking Office”, can be found in the Henry Ford Museum Permanent Design Collection. Following her studies, she founded the design consultancy Iavicoli & Rossi, working in areas varying from interior architecture to tableware.

In addition to her hometown of Florence, Italy, Maria Luisa also considered Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Detroit as places she called home. She stayed engaged with the Detroit design community through Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design initiative, working on the vision for inclusive growth and providing guidance to its development.

Memorial Arrangements
Maria Luisa will be at Ofisa, Via Giovanni Milton 89 in Florence, Italy until the morning of Friday, November 7 (visiting hours 8:00 AM–7:30 PM).

On Friday, November 7, she will be at the Cimitero degli Allor from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. A short ceremony and gathering will start at 2:00 PM, before she is laid to rest at 2:30 PM. All who wish to honor her are welcome.