Tim Flattery, Provost, College for Creative Studies (CCS)

Could you please give us your name, position and the name of your institution?

My name is Tim Flattery, and I’m the provost here at the College for Creative Studies.

Could you please give us an introduction to the College for Creative Studies as of today?

The College for Creative Studies is a school of art design based in Detroit, Michigan. We offer both graduate and undergraduate programs across a variety of disciplines, including transportation design, product design, entertainment arts, fine arts, glassblowing, ceramics, interaction design and interior design, among others.

What would you say are the keys to the college’s success?

Our success lies in our strong focus on outcomes, both at the program and institutional levels. Our approach to pedagogy aligns closely with industry demands, achieved through a curriculum led by instructors, adjuncts and full-time professors who are also active professionals in their respective fields. This connection brings expertise in current and emerging technologies, drawn from real industry experience.

Can you highlight some of the key programs at the college?

We’re proud of all our programs, each producing highly successful graduates. Approximately 84 percent of our alumni work in their fields of study. Our transportation design program has produced notable designers, such as Ralph Gilles, global design head at Stellantis, and John Mack, known for designing the Camaro and Firebird show cars. Logan Phillips, a graduate of transportation design in 2018, designed the next generation of lunar rovers with Lockheed at General Motors. Our product design program has produced executives at Whirlpool along with Steelcase and other companies like Apple. 

In entertainment arts, alumni like Jennifer Strickland and Brandon Williams, now directors at Nickelodeon and Warner Brothers, started as storyboard artists. In illustration, Chris Houghton, co-creator and executive producer of Disney’s Big City Greens, is another success story. We highlight these alumni because they showcase how our programs equip students to make meaningful contributions in their industries.

We do a lot of sponsored projects with our industry partners, some of whom are members of the CCS board. They give inputs about the trends in their industries and what they would like to see incorporated into our curriculum.

Could you describe the campus and student life?

Detroit’s cultural vibrancy makes it ideal for artists and designers. CCS is in the heart of midtown Detroit, a wonderful cultural center that houses the Detroit Institute of Arts, the African History Museum and the Science Museum. Our campus has two main areas: the Ford campus, which houses fine arts, glassblowing, ceramics and illustration programs, and the Taubman campus, where transportation, product and interior design programs are located. Campus life is lively, with student housing, food services and shuttles.

Could you talk about the faculty and their industry expertise?

Our faculty comprises highly accomplished professionals who maintain active careers alongside teaching. Their evaluations consider ongoing professional practice, which strengthens the student learning experience. For instance, our transportation design chair has experience with Ford and Kia, and our product design faculty includes a former Whirlpool design head. I lead our concept design program, which is my discipline. I work as a concept designer in film, bringing industry insights to the classroom, as do many of our faculty.

What message would you like to give to potential corporate partners interested in collaboration?

Our corporate partnerships are extensive and mutually beneficial, allowing sponsors to engage with emerging talent through projects and industry days. Students gain invaluable hands-on experience with real industry projects, often leading to lasting professional connections. Sponsored projects give students practical experience within a professional pipeline and help them build industry relationships that often continue beyond graduation. This is another part of what makes CCS so great. It’s not only for the student’s experience but also for our industry partners because the relationship is reciprocal. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

An art and design education opens doors to vast opportunities. There isn’t anything that we see, experience or touch that hasn’t been conceptualized or designed by someone. Nearly everything we interact with—furniture, cars, films— is a product of an art and design education. Our students and alumni shape these experiences, driving innovation in our lives. Art and design degrees offer immense career potential, as shown by our successful alumni.

What’s the vision for the College for Creative Studies over the next few years?

We’re focused on integrating AI into the design and art process while staying at the forefront of technology. Our goal is to continue evolving our curriculum to produce collaborative, adaptable professional designers and artists equipped for the future. We also aim to adapt our teaching methods to meet today’s students’ needs, ensuring we prepare graduates ready for the ever-changing industry landscape.

Is there anything else regarding funding or specific projects CCS wants to support?

We’re always open to new partnerships and ways. Detroit has traditionally been automotive-focused, but we’re expanding support across disciplines, such as ceramics and crafts, to provide similar experiential learning opportunities across all fields.