Winter 2025 Sponsored Projects at the College for Creative Studies
July 17, 2025
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
Display of CCS and Zumiez collab in glass showcase at Somerset Collective
CCS x Trek
Communication Design students and faculty posing at the University of Michigan Environmental Interpretive Center
Rendering for GM-sponsored studio by CCS undergrad Transportation Design students Lex Michael, Jean Pierre Ledderman, and graduate Transportation Design student Prithvi Vetrivel.
CCS Immersive Tech Certificate x OU Arc
Glasses frame prototypes from the GODNII sponsored studio with graduate studies Color & Materials Design students
Winner of the Hagopian Rug Competition posing with their design alongside CCS President and Edmond Hagopian
“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.”