a group walking around a comic convention expo hall Yellow rectangle Student Name, Class of '22 product design students work with an industry designer

There are no “air quotes” when we talk about real world experience. For students at CCS, real world means working on real projects with real designers from around the world.

When GM wanted to see what autonomous vehicles would look like in 2030, they called on CCS students to show them. When Xenith wanted to develop safer football equipment, our students were so successful, the company hired them. That is what real world means at CCS – real companies getting real results and students getting real jobs.

Because of CCS’s great reputation within many industries, the College’s career services and corporate relations departments work directly with companies from around the world to host research projects and job fairs.

Corporate Relations

Since 2014, nearly 2,000 CCS students have worked alongside artists and designers from some of the world’s most recognized brands, including:

For more information on becoming a corporate sponsor visit our Corporate Relations page.

Company Highlights

Xenith

The 2017 Xenith-sponsored CCS design studio is what started it all. And, every year since, they’ve been back to sponsor more classes in multiple capacities. What has come out of this union? Their entire design staff is made up of CCS alumni who they have met through these priceless experiences. According to CEO Ryan Sullivan, the company has grown significantly in parallel with what is clearly a winning partnership. “Each year at Xenith, we try to continue evolving, continue raising the bar, continue trying new things and to enhance and deepen the partnership with the College for Creative Studies,” he says. “Because, at the end of the day, that’s the best environment for both organizations to thrive.”

EILEEN FISHER

In fall 2018, global fashion brand EILEEN FISHER collaborated with the College for Creative Studies to sponsor a student design studio. Known for years as a leader in sustainable fashion design and production, EILEEN FISHER challenged BFA Fashion Accessories Design Students and MFA Color and Materials Design students to design and fabricate creations using innovative recycled material developed at the brand’s factory in Irvington, New York.

New General Motors logo transparent background

General Motors

The General Motors (GM)/College for Creative Studies (CCS) relationship dates back decades. General Motors has supported design projects and other activities with the College, recruited its alumni (currently there are over 200 CCS alumni in GM’s design ranks), placed executives on the College’s Board of Trustees and chaired its Detroit International Wine Auction. This relationship has helped shape the College’s Transportation Design curriculum to best support industry needs, exposed GM Design to future talent and ideas, and provided significant value to both entities.

Since 2014

Corporate Research Projects

Student Participants

Scholarships Awarded

Career Development

The Career Development Office prepares students for life after graduation by offering guidance on resume, CV and cover letter preparation, interview skills and job search techniques.

companies have visited CCS since 2011

students have found internships since 2009

students have been hired from these events

Adidas

Over the last 10 years, Adidas has hired 23 CCS students or alumni. Many of these young designers participated in the company’s 6-month internship program. Three CCS interns were invited to apply for Adidas’ Design Academy, an international 2-year program that allows participants the opportunity to rotate throughout the company’s entire design organization, focused either on apparel or on footwear.

Additionally, Adidas includes CCS in its annual college recruiting tour, visiting Detroit each fall to specifically recruit interns from the College

Armstrong-White

Armstrong-White currently employs 19 CCS students and alumni. CCS has worked with the company for close to 15 years; Armstrong-White has hired graduates from Entertainment Arts, Illustration, Product Design and Transportation Design.

MRM/McCann and Commonwealth/McCann

MRM is the direct marketing division, while Commonwealth manages creative projects for Chevrolet. Since Commonwealth was founded in Detroit in 2012, they have hired 35 students and alumni for positions within the agency. The MRM/McCann division employs 33 additional creatives from CCS.

More Information

For more information about how your company can partner with the College for Creative Studies, please contact:

Shannon McPartlon
Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships
313.664.7460
smcpartlon@collegeforcreativestudies.edu

Matt Chung
Manager of Corporate and Community Partnerships
313.664.7917
mchung@collegeforcreativestudies.edu