Many students look to diversify their skills and also complement their major. Any studio major can be taken as a minor.
Additional minors include:
Communication Design & Strategy
Communication Design & Strategy/UXD
Digital Fabrication
Entertainment Arts
Fashion Design
Fashion Design – Footwear
Film
Illustration
Interior Design
Photography
Product Design
Studio Art & Craft
Automotive Clay Modeling
Automotive Digital Modeling
Transportation Design
Liberal Arts minors include:
Art Therapy
Art History
Creative Entrepreneurship
Creative Writing
Critical Theory
Visual Culture
Sustainability/Social Responsibility
Precollege Programs
Dual Enrollment
Summer Experience
Precollege Courses
Graduate Programs
Art Education
Color & Materials Design
Design for Sustainability
Interdisciplinary Design & Media
Transportation Design
User Experience Design
Footwear Design (Minor)
Design for Sustainability (Minor)
CCS students use their innovative design skills to tackle sustainability challenges and drive positive change in the design industry
Sports and outdoor companies employ CCS alumni in creative positions
The proof is in the numbers
When someone tells you they’re making it happen –doing good work, finishing first or fastest or best –don’t just take their word for it. Do some digging. Look at the stats
Two alumni have been included in the prestigious Whitney Biennial
Kevin Beasley ‘07, Studio Art & Craft
Michael E. Smith ‘06, Studio Art & Craft
Our alumni are employed by companies, galleries, museums and studios where you want to work, and they know the quality of a CCS education
20+
CCS students and alumni had their work on display throughout downtown Detroit during the 2024 NFL Draft
More than 2.57 million artists and designers are active in the workforce nationally
Source: Americans for the Arts National Arts Administration Policy Publications 2020 Arts Index
$25,885
The average scholarship/grant package (money from all sources that is not repaid) projected for incoming students in 2024/2025
$28M
CCS institutional funding in scholarships and grants to help ease the burden of tuition, and to recognize and recruit top creative talent
1 in a Million
Alumni Gregory Shamus (‘95) has photographed some of the most iconic moments in sports history, from the Olympics to Super Bowls and The Masters
19 alumni are working in high-profile jobs for Netflix creating storyboards, character animation, film editing and prop styling
World-class facilities allow you to be the best and create the best to fulfill your creative potential
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
If you’ve played it, a CCS alumni has had a hand in designing it — our alumni design some of the industry’s top video games
Artists do better in the professional world — 88% are satisfied with their current work, and the number of artists in the workforce has increased by 6% over the last decade
Source: snaap.indiana.edu and nea.gov
CCS enrolls more than 1,300 students from 40 states and 28 countries and territories
Career Choices
3D Character Artist
3D Modeler
Animator
CG Artist
Concept Artist
Environment Artist
FX Artist
Game Artist/Designer/ Developer
Level Designer
Lighting
Stop-Motion Animator
Storyboard Artist
Two Batmobiles
There are only six Batmobiles in the history of film — which means CCS alumni have designed one third of them
Hi-tech
CCS is on top of leading industry-level tech, including Rokoko suits and full VR/AR labs
24 movies animated by alumnus Dave Hardin (‘04) at Disney
Our alumni work on top games, including Metroid Dread, Forza, World of Warcraft, The Sims 3 and Call of Duty
Our alumni create concept designs, CGI, storyboards, production designs and more to bring characters to life for iconic films in the comic universe
Car
Career Choices
3D Visualizer
Airplane Designer
Alias Modeler
Automotive Color & Trim
Designer
Automotive Exterior Designer
Automotive Interior Designer
Autonomous Vehicle Designer
Clay Modeler/Sculptor
Digital Modeler/Sculptor
Mass Transit Designer
Mobility Systems Designer
Motorcycle Designer
Recreational Vehicle Designer
UX/UI Designer
Watercraft Designer
Career-focused
CCS’s Transportation Design program is ranked “Most Successful School” by Car Design News
Mobility
Alumnus Logan Phillips designed the next generation of lunar rovers with Lockheed Martin and General Motors
Graduates secure employment at leading companies across the globe
25+ years
Faculty bring more than 25 years of global industry experience from Tokyo, Milan, Los Angeles and Detroit
Fashion Accessories Design, Fashion Design
Career Choices
Accessories
Apparel
Entrepreneur
Fashion
Footwear
Handbag
Leather
Merchandiser
Patternmaker
Production
Production
Stylist
Trend
Our alumni are working for prestigious brands including Calvin Klein, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Carhartt and beyond
The Show is CCS’s annual runway show where students present their collections to notable designers, editors and influencers from the fashion industry
Our facilities are unrivaled, boasting more than 6,000 sq. ft. of space, including high-end machines for apparel, footwear and accessories, and a warehouse of various materials,
Students partnered with luxury brand Stuart Weitzman to design their vision for a future collection
Students travel internationally to fashion hot spots to learn from industry experts – Paris, London, New York, Milan
Film, Video/Digital Media
Career Choices
Art Director
Cinematographer
Colorist
Compositor
Editor
Film
Foley Artist
Gaffer
Production Assistant
Screenwriter
Script Supervisor
Set Designer
Sound Designer
Storyboard Artist
VFX Artist
Alumna Leah McGrail (‘17) is the lead VFX editor for shows on Paramount+, Hulu, ABC and Netflix
Community
Appointed by the Mayor of Detroit, CCS Film student Davon Travier photographed and produced videos that led to economic growth in community programs, events and small businesses across Detroit
Film students take part and win awards at local and international film festivals
Industry-standard software, hardware and equipment, including green screen rooms, editing suites and sound-mixing rooms
Graduates film anything from music videos to feature films
Alumnus Jeremy Levitt (‘03) designs custom furniture and lighting in award-winning interiors across the country
24-hour
access to studios for juniors and seniors, allowing for the selfdirected development of a signature body of work
Graduates’ works have been exhibited at the Guggenheim, MoMA and worldwide
Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities that include an expansive wood and metal shop, a glass studio, ceramics studio, fibers studio, printmaking studio, sculpture studio and a fully functioning foundry
Our alumni land successful jobs doing what they love and where you might not expect
Career Choices
Art Director
Brand Writer
Branding/Identity Designer
Creative Director
Design Director
Design Strategist
Digital Content Manager
Digital Designer
Exhibit Designer
Graphic Designer
Interaction Designer Motion Graphic Designer
Social Media Designer
UX/UI Designer
Web Designer
Industry-ready
CCS’s Communication Design & Strategy program was ranked as a top graphic design schools by Graphic Design USA
Detroit is the fourth largest advertising market in the U.S., with top design studios and agencies hiring hundreds of our alumni
20
Awards — including Best of Show — were awarded to students by the American Advertising Federation
Look
around
Alumni are responsible for designing the brands you see and use every day
Illustration, Visual Development
Career Choices
Advertising Illustrator
Character Artist
Children’s Book Illustrator
Comic Book Artist
Conceptual Illustrator for Video Games/Film
Editorial Illustrator
Entertainment Designer
Fashion Illustrator
Graphic Novel Illustrator
Merchandising Illustrator
Motion Illustrator/Designer
Multimedia Designer
Storyboard Artist
Textile Pattern Illustrator
Visual Development Illustrator
Visual development alumni work for leading entertainment companies, including Disney, Sony, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks and more
Alumnus Ryan Savas (‘99) brings stories to life for Sony Pictures Animation
Alumnus Michael Maher, Jr., (‘07) created storyboards for the Netflix series Stranger Things
Alumnus Sean Peacock (‘22) won the ARTS THREAD Global Design Graduate Show for his action adventure comic book, Peppermint Desert
One of only five visual artists to receive the prestigious Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University — Alumnus Mario Moore (‘09)
Interdisciplinary Art + Design
Career Choices
Art or Design Consultant
Arts Advocate
Color & Materials Expert
Costume Designer
Exhibition/Experiential
Designer
Motion/Interaction Designer
Multimedia Studio Artist
Muralist
Performer/Performance Artist
Physical/Digital
Special Effects Artist
Playground or Community
Designer
Set or Stage Designer
Sustainability Director
UX/UI Designer
Sustainability is incorporated in most courses with in-depth consideration embedded in major studio courses
The flexible curriculum allows you to integrate multiple minors
Explore theory and practice outside of just one major
Hi-tech
Full virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) labs
Strategic mentoring and collaboration will prepare students for the real world
Interior Design, Exhibit Design
Career Choices
Alumni work internationally in commercial and residential design, retail and hospitality design, exhibit design, and color and trim
Students use augmented reality to design and walk through spaces
CCS students were invited to present their work at Milan Design Week — the most prestigious and pivotal international venue where design trends are set
30K+
Samples of physical materials are available to students to use in their projects from our Color & Materials Library
Photography
Career Choices
Architectural Photographer
Art/Photography Educator
Commercial Photographer
Digital Retoucher
Event Photographer
Fashion Photographer
Fine Art Photographer
Freelance Photographer
Nature Photographer
Photojournalist
Portrait Photographer
Sports Photographer
Studio Photographer
Videographer
Entertainment – Alumnus Evan Butka (‘10) shot for the popular Emmy Award winning show Euphoria on HBO
Named One of the Best Photography degree programs by Intelligent.com
Fashion – Alumna Jenny Risher’s (‘97) photos have been published in The New York Times, Vanity Fair and Redbook
Sports – Alumnus Patrick Daly (‘09) has covered some of the most elite athletes, teams and events
Free
Students can check out the most up-to-date lighting kits, cameras and studios on campus
Product Design, Sneaker Design, Industrial Design
Career Choices
3D Modeler
Accessories Designer
Athletic Equipment Designer
Color & Materials Designer
Consumer Electronics Designer
Exhibit Designer
Footwear Designer
Furniture Designer
Independent Design Consultant
Market Researcher
Medical Equipment Designer
Product Designer
Researcher
Trend Forecaster
UX/UI Designer
Product Design student
Camila Lerena won gold in the Architecture & Design Collection Awards (ADC)
Students’ designs come to life in our Rapid Prototyping Studio’s 3D printers, five-axis mills and laser cutters
Graduates design award-winning products for brands you see and use every day
Product Design student
Melanie Vega won the SBW x PUMA Innovation Footwear Design Competition and was selected to intern with the Puma Design Studio in Germany
Product Design student
Sierrah Rhodes designed an interactive museum experience created for the Smithsonian Spark!Lab and the Michigan Science Center
Art Education Teacher Certification Program
Career Choices
K-12 Art Teacher
Community Arts Gallery
Director
Community Arts Program
Director
Museum Educator
Hands-on experience at our on-site art- and design-based charter school, University Prep Art & Design, and schools in the Metro Detroit area
Streamlined certification
Prepare for the Michigan Visual Arts LQ certification, recognized across the U.S. and Canada, while completing your BFA
A unique, studio-based Visual Arts Teacher Certification program that combines an internationally recognized BFA degree with teacher preparation courses
Above the rest
CCS Graduates with a BFA degree and a Teaching Certificate in Art Education are highly sought after
Precollege Programs
We created Precollege programs to help you prepare for a college like CCS, so you can excel as an artist or designer.
Whether you’re interested in earning college credit prior to entering college or simply taking a class to refresh or learn a new skill, our Precollege and Continuing Studies department has a program dedicated to your success.
Dual Enrollment
Online and in-person options to earn college credit at CCS while in high school. Courses available in most majors.
Precollege Summer Experience
Three-week program where you choose a major, earn three college credits, create work for your portfolio, and meet awesome people like faculty, professional designers and artists, and creatives from around the country (and world). Residential or commuter options available.
Precollege Courses
Non-credit courses available in workshop or weekly format, online or in-person, where you can learn new skills and techniques, explore something new and create work for your portfolio.
Scan to check out Precollege programs and scholarship opportunities:
Let’s Talk About You CCS faculty, counselors and the entire College community works hard to provide you with what you need to be successful. Our support services and campus activities make CCS a fun, dynamic place to be.
Services Available to Students
30+ Student Organizations and Clubs
Academic Advising
Audio Visual Center — where students can check out lighting equipment, cameras and studio space
Career Development Team — connecting students with career counselors and employers
Center for Tutoring and Writing
Food Bank
Imaging Center
Global Engagement Office
Office of Partnerships — connecting companies and organizations to our students and classrooms
On-Campus Employment Opportunities
On-Campus Nurse
Peer Tutors
Personal Counseling Services
Student Activities Board
Student Advocate
Student Government
U245 Student Gallery
Wellness Center
Career Development and Experiential Learning
It’s important that we provide our students with a holistic, well-rounded experience. Through our experiential learning initiatives, our students receive real-world, handson career opportunities before they graduate.
These opportunities come in many forms:
Career events throughout the year, including on-campus recruiting, panels and roundtable discussions, professional portfolio reviews and company information sessions
Career resources, including job search sites, grant information, competitions, fellowships, copyright information, gallery listings, professional organizations, self-promotion, freelance jobs and more
Educational partnerships with external stakeholders like industry and/or community such as sponsored projects and service learning projects
Entrepreneurship courses
Global experiences such as study abroad and exchange programs
Research such as MFA thesis or BFA capstone projects Internships, residencies and fellowships
Professional topic series, including workshops from Resume 101, Interview Skills, Business Etiquette and everything in between
209+ sponsored research projects (students working directly with industry artists and designers) took place between 2017—2024
84% of CCS alumni are working in a field related to their major
2,202 companies engaged* with CCS to recruit students in the 2023/2024 academic school year. 64+ were international companies
*Includes educational partnerships, industry day visits, portfolio reviews and internships.
CCS offers study abroad opportunities for all students
Sponsored Research Projects
Major corporations from across the country request the chance to work with CCS students on what we call sponsored research projects.
These projects are designed to solve a particular realworld problem the corporation might be challenged with. These industry experts look to CCS students for their creativity and knowledge on how to solve these problems, and work directly with the students in a studio setting.
Here are just a few:
3M
Carhartt, Inc.
Consumers Energy
Ford Motor Company
Forgotten Harvest
General Motors
John Deere
Kohler Company
Meta
Nickelodeon
Stuart Weitzman
Toyota
Unreal Engine
Whirlpool Corporation
876 student portfolio reviews were provided by industry partners in 2023/2024
Real-World Experiences
Study abroad experiences and faculty-led programs with international destinations support your learning objectives and broaden your perspective.
Internships at local, national or even international companies give students an opportunity to work alongside professionals, gain confidence in their abilities and build relationships with key people in their industry.
100+ years of CCS and industry connections, which ensures the work students create is in line with industry needs and prepares them for their careers
Career Development
CCS is dedicated to exposing students and alumni to professional development opportunities and resources that will aid you in identifying and obtaining your personal career goals.
We share information about career paths open to artists and designers, schedule on-campus recruitment events, provide one-on-one career coaching sessions, and host workshops to support the development of application materials such as resumes, cover letters, portfolios, reels and much more. We’ve even created our own career website to share students’ portfolios.
A Dynamic Community of Artists and Visionaries
CCS invites prominent art and design professionals to speak at our distinct lecture series:
Alumni Lecture Series
Toyota Lecture Series on Design
Valade Speaker Series
Woodward Lecture Series
The U245 Student Gallery and Hub Gallery feature student work and student-curated programs.
CCS students also have free access to the Detroit Institute of Arts, one of the largest art museums in the nation, and also our next-door neighbor.
131 for-credit internships that students secured for the 2023/2024 academic year
4K+ works of art are on display each year at CCS’s Student Exhibition
students participated in Industry Day events in 2023/2024
of Americans believe arts and culture are important to local businesses and the economy 82%
Source: Americans for the Arts — Arts & Economic Prosperity 5
Median pay by occupation
3D Modelers: $57,560
Animators: $98,950
Apparel/Accessories Designers: $76,700
Art Directors: $105,180
Automotive Designers: $75,910
Cinematographers: $85,320
Color & Materials Designers: $65,390
Communication Designers: $105,180
Gallery Artists: $57,560
Game Designers: $98,950
Interior Designers: $61,590
Multimedia Designers: $57,560
Photojournalists: $40,170
Product Designers: $75,910
UX Designers: $83,240
VFX Artists: $98,950
Students take many paths after graduation:
Artist residencies
Entrepreneurship — launch a business Fellowships
Positions within organizations and corporations
Top graduate programs 61K
The number of archivists, curators and museum techs. More people are employed in the visual arts than in all of the performing arts and sports industries combined.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The College for Creative Studies lives inside Detroit’s Midtown area.
You’ll find yourself just steps away from iconic places like the Motown Museum, the Detroit Film Theatre and the Detroit Institute of Arts — one of the country’s largest museums. We’re surrounded by artisanal coffee shops, design boutiques, art galleries, live music venues that belt out indie, garage, EDM, hip-hop, folk, jazz and blues, and so much more.
CCS boasts an impressive and longstanding safety record. Your safety is one of our greatest priorities, and we take pride in being considered one of the safest college campuses in Michigan.
Safety & Security
24/7 campus security patrols
24/7 shuttle service between campus locations
Access cards used for entrance to dormitories
Closed-circuit camera monitoring system throughout campus
Dedicated parking structures manned by security personnel
Emergency call boxes located throughout campus
Emergency notification system
Safety escorts to and from vehicles
Check out our campus and find out for yourself what sets CCS apart.
Open House & Tours
Open House & Tour events are the best way for you to experience our nationally recognized and highly ranked art and design programs.
Explore campus and meet your future professors. While you’re here, representatives from admissions, financial aid, career development, precollege and student life are ready to answer any questions you may have.
Mark your calendar and scan to register for an Open House & Tour event:
Upload 5 – 12 pieces to ccs.slideroom.com (there is a $10 upload fee), or request a free live review at calendly.com/ccs-admissions.
Find links and details about our portfolio requirements on our website at ccsdetroit.edu/admissions.
CCS is test blind.
CCS does not require a standardized test (ACT or SAT) score. If a test score is submitted, it will not be used to influence admission or scholarship. However, international applicants whose primary and/or native language is not English must submit one of the following English language test scores: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, ACT or SAT. The test requirement may be waived for international applicants if the primary language of instruction at their secondary school/college is English.
Application Deadlines
Deadlines for first-year, transfer and international applicants.
December 1
Early Action
For students who want to be considered for our highest tuition scholarships.
February 1
Priority Decision
For students who want to be considered for our generous tuition scholarships.
April 1
Regular Decision
Students are still considered for scholarships.
Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis after April 1.
$25,885 The average scholarship/ grant package (money from all sources that is not repaid) projected for incoming students in 2024/2025 Financial Aid & Scholarships
Complete the
FAFSA
Complete the admissions process
Fill out the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Our school code is 006771
FAFSA
Tuition & Fees 98% 98% of students receive tuition support.
To learn how much financial assistance you will receive:
The FAFSA now allows families to complete the application using their prior-prior year tax return. For Fall 2025, use your 2023 tax information. For more information on all types of scholarships, grant and loan programs available to CCS students, visit ccsdetroit.edu/admissions/scholarships-aid.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the Tuition and Financial Aid section on our website: ccsdetroit.edu/tuition. of students
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Go-to Guides for FAQs
For more information about some of your most pressing questions, scan a QR code below.
Portfolio Feedback
Unsure of where you stand with your portfolio? Show us your work by scheduling a no-pressure portfolio review. You can also scan to review portfolio tips, see examples of other portfolios and review requirements.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Don’t rule out CCS because of the price. Let us help you navigate the financial aid process and how to pay for college.
Mission Statement
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Let’s go! Join our students and alumni in changing the world through art and design.
The College for Creative Studies nurtures the creativity that is vital to the enrichment of modern culture. The College educates visual artists and designers, knowledgeable in varied fields, who will be leaders in creative professions that shape society and advance economic growth. The College fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, embrace their responsibilities as citizens of diverse local and global communities, and learn throughout their lives. The College engages in community service by offering opportunities for artistic enrichment and opening career pathways to talented individuals of all ages.
Accreditation Statement
College for Creative Studies is a nonprofit, private college authorized to grant Associate, Bachelor, and Master’s degrees. Documents regarding accreditation are available in the Executive Office upon formal request. College for Creative Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
