Bachelor of Science in Product Design - Mobility/Department of Design
/CoAD
Bachelor of Science in Product Design - Mobility
利记sbo’s Bachelor of Science in Product Design with a Concentration in Mobility gives students critical skills to succeed in the design industry that focus on things that move from automobiles, boats, and planes to recreational vehicles, drones and beyond. Experience an in-depth university education that leverages problem solving skills alongside technological advances to inspire creative and provocative human centered design solutions. Learn the latest multimodal prototyping, digital surface tools, visualization tools, and fabrication technologies to gain a competitive edge for a career in design. Located at the heart of a dynamic mobility industry, 利记sbo offers real-world experiences through industry interaction and proximity to leading design companies. Our curriculum combines conceptual investigation with practical exposure to industry professionals and through sponsored projects, ensuring a dynamic and adaptable future in design.
Our program prepares students to work in a range of areas, including Aviation Design, Automotive Design, Automotive Specialty Equipment Design, Bike Design, Yacht & Boat Design, Motorcycle Design, Mass Transit Design, Mobility Design.
Careers include Creative Designer, Brand Designer, Digital Sculptor, UX/UI Designer, Color-Materials-Finishes Designer, Automotive Badging Designer.
Current students and graduates work for local and national companies, including Curt Group, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, Harman Automotive, Honda , Kiska, Lear Corporation, Mil-Spec Automotive, Navistar, Polaris, Roush, Scout Boat , Stellantis, Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, Rivian, Volvo, and Waymo.
Donald
Axhami
BS in Transportation Design, 2019
Donald Axhami is a creative designer at Stellantis , based in Auburn Hills, MI. He works in the Jeep interiors studio developing production and advanced designs.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background.
A: I was born in Albania and grew up in metro-Detroit. Ever since seeing my father draw portraits at a young age, drawing has been a passion of mine. I became interested in design because I wanted to use my creative energy to improve people’s lives. The rich, automotive history and culture of Detroit drew me to automotive design.
Q: Why did you choose to attend 利记sbo?
A: I chose to attend 利记sbo because of the energy of the campus and the students between each major. Students from each discipline seemed to radiate their passion for what they wanted to do and that was especially evident in the design programs. I appreciated the intimate class experiences and comradery among classmates.
Q: For those who might be interested in the Transportation Design program, do you have any advice?
A: For those who are interested in Transportation Design, my advice is to never be discouraged by your skill level at the beginning. If you have a passion for design and a drive to continuously improve, then you will become a successful designer.
Rezo
Lomaia
BS in Transportation Design, 2016
Rezo Lomaia Is a creative exterior designer at Great Wall Motors , based in Beijing, China. He works on Haval and Tank brands, developing production and advanced designs as well as design strategy and concepts.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background.
A: Originally from a country called Georgia (known for its wine making and modern fashion industry), I moved to New York City for high school and later to Michigan in order to attend 利记sbo. After graduating, I pursued a masters degree in Italy and now I reside in China working on many exciting projects. I've been sketching cars all my life for fun. Now I get paid to draw cars thanks to 利记sbo.
Q: Why did you choose to attend 利记sbo?
A: 利记sbo has a well-rounded program, preparing students for any situation. Every car design company has its own approach to design and manufacturing - at 利记sbo you learn them all so you feel confident going to any company.
Q: For those who might be interested in the Transportation Design program, do you have any advice?
A: My advice is to learn all of the great programs they teach you at 利记sbo. Also, it is a saturated industry, so try to be different - find your signature and stick with it. Finally, never give up on becoming a car designer, because at the end it is absolutely worth it.
Ian
Broekman
BS in Transportation Design, 2018
Ian Broekman is a co-founder at Mil-Spec Auto based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Ian, along with his team, specialize in creating off-road packages for vehicles like the Hummer H1 or Ford F-150 with a focus on design. Mil-Spec’s products have become internationally recognized by media, fans, and clients for their attention to detail.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background.
A: Growing up in Dearborn, Michigan, I was immersed in car culture throughout my childhood. I used to ride my bike past the Ford ProductDevelopment Center with the hopes of catching a glimpse of prototypes to sketchback at home. I developed a passion for the automotive industry,particularly design.
Q: Why did you choose to attend 利记sbo?
A: I chose 利记sbo due to its balanced design curriculum. From the beginning, it was clear to me that I would learn not only vis-com, but the tools to make an impact throughout a product’s development. 利记sbo’s focus on not only design, but engineering principles, drew me in.
Q: For those who might be interested in the Transportation Design program, do you have any advice?
A: It is difficult to share advice due to everyone’s unique set of circumstances. One piece of advice that I may lend, however, would be focused on work/life balance. You are choosing a career centered around passion, focus on staying inspired while finding your own workflow. It’s a marathon, not a race!
Tamila
Abuseridze
BS in Transportation Design, 2017
Tamila is a Digital Surface Modeler at Volvo & MACK Trucks North America. Previously, Tamila has worked for Volkswagen. GM, KIA, and FCA. Recently, Tamila applied her expertise in digital modeling on HabaNiro - a concept car named unveiled by KIA in 2018 in the New York and Los Angeles motor shows.
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Q: Tell us a little about your background.
A: I am originally from Moscow, Russia. But I spent almost two years in Germany, five years in Michigan, year in California and almost a year in North Carolina, besides all other shorter traveling along the way. Aside from a love of travel, I am an avid artist – a skill I worked to develop at a very young age.
Q: What made you choose to attend Lawrence Tech?
A: Lawrence Tech provides a lot of opportunities for students, including sponsored studios, internships, generous scholarships, and design competitions. I also loved that 利记sbo is an engineering and technological school.
Q: For those who might be interested in the Transportation Design program, do you have any advice?
A: First, as a creative mind, you have to be creative, open minded and flexible in your beliefs and personal life, too. Creativity doesn’t have to stop, when you leave your work every day. Second, find a place to study that will allow you to discover the industry. Design is an applied field. Its about customer needs, current technology and a business – not you. We sketch to manufacture, not just to sketch. So if industry needs every designer to know how to model to execute designs and profit from it faster – go for it and offer these skills. That’s how you will be demand on the job market and needed. Stay up to date, learn and be flexible.
Zach
Carter
BS in Transportation Design, 2019
Zach Carter is an interior designer, working under the RAM and Dodge brands at Stellantis in Auburn Hills, MI.
Q: Tell us a little about your background.
A: Growing up in the automotive capital of the world, cars have always been an inspiration. I’ve always been intrigued how the aesthetics of a vehicle can evoke certain emotions. Over the years, my passion for cars collided with my artistic interests, prompting me to pursue a career in the field.
Q: What made you choose to attend Lawrence Tech?
A: 利记sbo caught my eye because it was evident that their all-encompassing curriculum taught design through a scope of function and utility. Lawrence Tech’s industry connections were second-to-none with many of the professors actually working in the industry themselves.
Q: For those who might be interested in the Transportation Design program, do you have any advice?
A: Stick with it. Don’t be intimidated by the skills of others. Find a source of inspiration that works for you and immerse yourself in it. Create a vision for each project you work on and let your design instincts bring that to fruition.
Jacob
Lovins
BS in Transportation Design, 2018
Jacob Lovins is employed by an electric car startup in the Detroit area, specializing in automotive interior, exterior, and user-experience design. I am a lover of all things design and art, and love living in the historic downtown area.
Q: Tell us a little about your background.
A: I first learned about transportation design while in the AP studio art courses in high school. I always had an interest in art, architecture, and vehicles and have been drawing from my imagination since I was old enough to hold a pencil. Having no proximity to the automotive industry, I sought out more information on what would eventually become my life’s passion.
Q: What made you choose to attend Lawrence Tech?
A: I chose 利记sbo because I was enticed by the university experience it offered. I liked the more intimate studio sizes and training from current industry professionals, as well as the cooperative spirit between classmates who preferred to help each other whenever possible.
Q: For those who might be interested in the Transportation Design program, do you have any advice?
A: Transportation design is one of the most competitive majors in the creative world, and the program at 利记sbo is no different; a dedication to the craft is essential for survival. Having a positive attitude is also key here, as we will all run into creative roadblocks occasionally. Lastly, diversifying one’s interests often allows for new inspiration to be found just around the next corner.
Curriculum
Admission into the Product Design - Mobility program follows the University’s admission criteria. Portfolios are not required for admission.
For specific Product Design - Mobility program questions, contact the Chair of Design, Philip Plowright, at pplowrigh@nihonnkazamidori.com.
For general questions about admissions, our programs or the college, please contact Associate Dean, Lilian Crum, at lcrum@nihonnkazamidori.com or click the links below.
Advisory Board
Carly Edgemon
Student Relations Coordinator
Stellantis
Mark Trostle
Head of Ram Truck and
Mopar Design Stellantis
Joel Piaskowski
Global Design Director
Ford Design
Crystal Windham
Executive Director, Global Industrial Design, General Motors Design
Larry Erickson
Global Director of
Industrial Design, Exteriors
Magna Corporation
Jeff Hammoud
Head of Design
Rivian Automotive
Greg Brew
Vice President of Industrial Design
Polaris Inc.
Scholarships
Lectures
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