High School Students
Advertising & Print
Doug Kohnen
Graduation Year: 2003
Major: Graphic Design
Employer: Wunderman (Detroit)
Title: Art Director
Doug Kohnen works as an art director at Wunderman in Detroit. His passion for creating an experience rather than “just an ad,” stems from his work as a senior designer at o2 Creative Solutions, an experience design based communications firm in Royal Oak. The agency offers services ranging from the design of full-identity systems and collateral for companies to motion graphics for Scion, Lexus and Toyota. Kohnen has worked on assignments for major auto shows in Detroit, New York and Chicago, as well as create interactive design, display, and print work for the entertainment industry.
He has also taken on other projects, including a window installation in the Himelhoch Building in downtown Detroit and CHIME, a 50-foot-long installation of interactive digital wind chimes outside the Nash Hotel in Miami. Along with his colleague, Stephanie Mead, Kohnen conceptualized the video used in the interactive garden.
"CCS was a turning point for me, where I really started to focus on my work and school...I think CCS offers all the resources to prepare you for a healthy career."
"I come from a more traditional art background of drawing and painting," said Kohnen. "I try to incorporate handmade elements into my designs when possible, and not just rely on the computer as my only tool for creation. My love for print translates into motion graphics as well. I tend to view motion projects as print pieces in motion, the same rules of composition and structure apply."
Originally from St. Louis, Kohnen moved to Detroit to attend CCS at the recommendation of his high school art teacher.
"I was kind of a slacker in high school and I knew that attitude wouldn't get me far," said Kohnen. "CCS was a turning point for me, where I really started to focus on my work and school...I think CCS offers all the resources to prepare you for a healthy career - if you are willing to work for it."
