Practicing Design
Center
Throughout its history, College for Creative Studies (CCS) has consistently fostered partnerships that leverage the creative abilities of students and faculty to meet the needs of industry and community organizations. These collaborations have proven to be instrumental in driving positive change for partners and making a last impact on students.
The CCS Practicing Design Center (PDC) is where community and creativity come together. At the PDC, small businesses and nonprofit organizations collaborate with CCS students and faculty to address real-world challenges through art and design. By partnering with selected organizations, we engage students and faculty from various disciplines in projects that benefit everyone involved.
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220+
Educational Partnerships
where students collaborated directly with partners between 2017-2024
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32
Nonprofit Educational Partnerships
Where students collaborated with nonprofit partners between 2017-2024
- Selected projects receive free tailored recommendations and deliverables designed to tackle their organizations’ creative challenges.
- Tap into the insight and up-to-date methods crafted by students guided by experienced faculty.
- Foster student growth through experiential learning, helping them build their portfolios and expand their networks.
Success Stories
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Dr. Mitchell
C.L.A.S.S"I am ecstatic about the possibilities uncovered by the youth. I am also proud to know that CCS is a gem in the city that anchors an incredible amount of creative genius," said Dr. Mitchell. "What the students were able to envision and reimagine after connecting to our mission gives our staff and youth great hope for the kind of community this project will create. The passion and connection to the work that C.L.A.s.s. does was evident at every encounter, every design review and we loved it."Go to Project -
Chris Lambert
Life Remodeled"Since our founding in 2010, Life Remodeled's neighborhood revitalization work has evolved significantly over our first decade. However, a number of branding challenges remained, and we were unable to afford professional assistance," said Chris Lambert, CEO of Life Remodeled, a CCS nonprofit partner. "Our partnership with CCS Communication Design students was not only a fun process for our team, but the final outcomes were just what we needed."Go to Project -
Josh Wojick
The Henry Ford"I think the most surprising thing for me was the breadth of the work created. While I was expecting the use of light to be an integral part of the works, I was not prepared for how varied the artists' use of photography, video, color, and sound would be. Each was unique, well thought out, and interesting to experience as a viewer." -
Co-Brand Concepts
JOHN D. DINGELL VA MEDICAL CENTERCommunication Design students worked in teams to develop full-scale co-brand concepts for the John D. Dingell Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Through the co-branding process, the local internal brand had to align with the core values and visuals of the Federal Branding for Veterans Affairs.Go to Project -
Passport to Self-Sufficiency
COTS DetroitGraduate Students students helped to design a touch-point action plan for COTS’ Passport to Self-Sufficiency™ pilot phase that has been developed to create poverty-resistant families.Go to Project -
Branding Strategies
Grosse Pointe Chamber of CommerceCommunication Design students developed informed community branding strategies for the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce and their efforts to support their community through strategic outreach, municipal services, local citizens, and small business entrepreneurs.Go to Project
Calls for proposals are open one semester in advance to provide time for the CCS committee to review submissions. Currently, CCS has funding for at least two projects per semester. Proposals are evaluated based on the following criteria.
Would you like to support the Practicing Design Center?
Contact [email protected].
