Forging Transformative Partnerships That Shape Careers

At the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Florida, and California College of the Arts, I have taught and initiated strategic academic–industry collaborations that bridge creative education and real-world practice.

Industry partnerships bring vital resources such as funding, expertise, and mentorship into the classroom while expanding curricular possibilities and advancing the institution’s position.

For students, these experiences are catalytic. They gain firsthand insight into design industries, develop robust portfolio work, and engage with professionals situations that build confidence, fluency, and career readiness. Many of my students have leveraged these sponsored projects into internships, commercial ventures, and lasting creative networks.

For institutions, these partnerships fuel innovation, attract top talent, and generate long-term value through IP, recognition, and return on investment.

Throughout my career, I’ve taught and directed cross-sector initiatives that not only deepen learning, but reimagine what design education can be: collaborative, connected, and consequential.

Industry-Academia Project Archive

  • Designing the Future of Trust and Automation. Chair Erin Malone + Professor Apurva Shah. Watch.

  • Designing the Future of Music in partnerships with the Dyson School of Engineer and Lawrence Azerrad Design. Led by Professor Sara Dean. Exhibited at MOCA, Atlanta. Watch.

  • Experimenting with radical inclusion to envision and build a better world. Project Director Rachel Berger. Faculty: Cristina Gaitán, Juan Carlos Rodriguez Rivera and Mathew Kneebone. Watch. Read.

  • Future Resonance examined the Future of Music and Sound as a space of connection. Project Director Rachel Berger. Faculty: Cristina Gaitan and Max Batt. Developed in partnership with Lawrence Azerrad. Exhibition catalog interview with Helen Maria.Exhibition catalog designers pages. Exhibition at Yerba Buena Center for The Arts. Article.

  • 2 x 15 piece furnishing collection for small-space living. Chair Helen Maria Nugent. Faculty: Jim TerMeer, Tim Parson and Casey Lurie. See. Read.

  • A dive into the potential of multi-user social experiences with self-driving vehicles. Led by Joy Mountford and Anthony Prozzi for Ford. Chair Corey Jones with faculty Basak Alton. Watch.

  • Exploring the future of interactive home devices for Gen Z. BFA Interaction Design CCA, Chair Erin Malone with faculty lead Aynne Valerie, Watch

  • Imagining the future of spaces for work and productivity. Chair Erin Malone and faculty lead Anne Valencia. Watch.

  • In this sponsored studio interdisciplinary teams for BFA Interaction Design and BFA Industrial Design worked on new technology products for expanded physical and virtual workspaces. Chairs Erin Malone (IxD) and Sandrine Lebas (ID) with faculty Joy Liu (IxD) and Raffi Minasian (ID). Watch.

  • This multi-year engagement the UNICEF Office of Innovation is an annual partnership with students taking the Social Lab class in the MDes Interaction Design program. Abridged Catalog.

  • A multi-semester partnership exploring new business products and digital applications for emerging graduates. Chairs and faculty, Justin Lokitz (DMBA) and Sara Dean (MFA Design). Outcomes are confidential.

  • The GFRY Studio, sponsor by Motorola, is a year-long, topical, interdisciplinary studio course. This project explored new forms of lighting built around custom LED arrays and was exhibited at Industreal in Milan during Salone. Chair Helen Maria Nugent, faculty Helen Maria Nugent and Doug Pancoast. Catalog + Press Coverage