Alumni Updates
Chris Dowdey (ID '68) designed the 1972 Ford Gran Torino used in the critically acclaimed new movie, “Gran Torino.” The vehicle was Dowdey's first project at Ford design in the late 60's. For more information about the film and its production in Detroit, click here.
Kudos to Victoria Rose Zalewski (DA '07) for her work on the feature film, “Coraline.” Victoria spent the last two years working for Laika, an animation studio near Portland, Oregon. Her job in the puppet fabrication department involved making and coordinating tiny hands, tongues and boots for various characters. To learn more, please click here.
Alumni Earl Lucas (ID-TR '97), Crystal Windham (ID-TR '94) and La Shirl M. Turner (CR '98) were featured in the article, "The Brains Behind Bangin' Cars," in the January issue of African American Family magazine. The article discussed these up-and-coming designers and how they are among a select group of African American designers working for the Big Three.
Additionally, Earl Lucas, who was the Design Manager for the revamped Ford Taurus, was profiled in the Dallas Morning News and on the “Black Voices” blog.
The Metro Times recently ran a feature about Cristin Richard (CR '06) and her sculpture work. Richard's work will be included in an upcoming show at CPOP Gallery that she is also curating. The show, “Conformity Exhibition: Live Conformists/Dead Troublemakers,” will feature the work of seven additional artists, including fellow CCS alum James Brutus (IL '04).
In December, Interview magazine featured an article about Cleopatra's, a new non-profit art space in Brooklyn, New York. The space is the brain child of four artists, including alumni Bridget Finn (PH '05) and Erin Somerville (FA '05). To read the article, follow this link. To learn more about Cleopatra's, visit the website. www.cleopatras.us
Dan Armand (IL '05) recently completed the website for the new Ford F-150 Raptor SVT. This ground-breaking endeavor for Ford represents the first time in the company's advertising history where all four wheels of the vehicle appear off the ground. Check out the site.
Brothers Chris Nordin (CR-GL '91), Israel Nordin (CR '99), and Erik Nordin were featured in an article entitled, "Artistic Brotherhood," in the January/February 2009 Issue of Ambassador magazine. The article discussed Erik & Israel's partnership in the Detroit Design Center, as well as the partnership of Chris and his wife, Michelle Plucinsky (CR-GL '91), in the Furnace Glass Studio in Dearborn.
And speaking of the Furnace Glass Studio, you are invited to attend Wednesday Coffee Nights at the Glass Academy. Watch live glassblowing, meet with friends, and spend time with family. This is a great time to see the school in action, bring in glass repairs, and ask those questions you always wanted to know about glass! Coffee nights are every Wednesday from 4 – 9 p.m. For more info, visit www.glassacademy.com.
Dave Lyon (ID-TR '90), General Motors' executive director of interior design, was a member of the team that created the new image of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The car was unveiled with the “Today” show's Matt Lauer in January. To see the ‘unveil,' visit this link. Additionally, the suburban news division of the Chicago Sun Times newsgroup interviewed Dave for an article in which he talked about Buick's new image, designed to attract a younger clientele than previous Buick sedan models. For the full story, follow this link.
Dave Chow (GC '87) was quoted in a Detroit Free Press article about the demolition of the city's famed Chin Tiki restaurant. To read the full story, follow this link.
Christopher Natale (CR '93) has written a book on furniture design entitled, “Furniture Design and Construction for the Interior Designer.” This college textbook for the interior design field was published by Fairchild Books. To learn more, click here.
Suzanne (Moughania) Fawaz (CD '06) is working as a graphic designer for Xperience Communication, located in Dearborn, Michigan. The company specializes in event marketing and has three additional offices in New York, Los Angeles and Boston. Check out their website www.xperiencecommunications.com. Additionally, Suzanne is the Membership Chair on the AIGA Detroit Chapter Board.
Joo Won Lee (GC ‘00) launched a new company last fall called Art Connection Korea (ARCK). ARCK provides a bridge for artists to other countries around the globe, hosting international exhibitions, promoting artists, and providing services to help introduce corporations and individuals to art from other parts of the world. For more information, visit the ARCK website www.arck.co.kr. The organization hosted the recent “Portfolio Review of Asian Art” in Oregon and Washington. Joo Won also had a solo show in February and gave a lecture entitled, “Today's Korean artists, designers and their works,” at the Korean American TV Broadcasting Company in Federal Way, Washington.
Jameson Neumann (ID '04) has been working as the Lead Designer/Program Manager at NSI International, a toy company that specializes in arts & crafts, activities and science toys. He also continues to work as a freelance designer, and was recently quoted in an article about General Motors' future and their latest advertising campaigns. To read the article, click here.
