SCAD has a decades-long legacy of contributing to the most prestigious cinematic art in the world — and the annual awards event that recognizes it. This year, 136 SCAD alumni and current students provided their industry talents to films nominated for the 97th Academy Awards. The awards ceremony will be televised live on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 7 pm on ABC.
 
These talented filmmakers and artisans contributed to 18 films receiving nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including five Best Picture nominees, two Best Animated Film nominees, and all five films nominated for Best Visual Effects. These films include global blockbusters Wicked, Dune: Part Two, The Wild Robot, Inside Out 2 and critical favorite Anora.
 
"Our Oscar-nominated alumni are a source of pride and inspiration for all of our current students, alumni, and most of all their mentor professors who helped put them on these stellar paths," said Andra Reeve-Rabb, dean of SCAD's School of Film and Acting. "SCAD provides resources like no other university, and we send our students into the industry even before they graduate, placing them on film sets in Georgia, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond."
 
SCAD's School of Film and Acting and School of Animation and Motion have launched thousands of alumni into the movie industry, thanks to Oscar award-winning professors, resources that rival Hollywood studios, and stunning locations including an 11-acre backlot and two LED volume stages, two professionally run casting offices, and renowned film and television festivals.
 
Katerina Kojeva (B.F.A., production design, 2016) was the costume concept artist on Wicked, nominated for Best Picture, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design. Alyssa Bracken (B.F.A., production design, 2012) was the assistant costume designer on A Complete Unknown which is nominated for eight awards including Best Picture and Best Costume Design. Wyatt Garfield (B.F.A., film and television, 2007) was the cinematographer on A Different Man which is nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Actor Kayli Carter (B.F.A., performing arts, 2015) turns in another memorable star turn, as Maria Muldaur in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
 
Fifty-two of the alumni who worked on Oscar-nominated films graduated from SCAD with a degree in visual effects. Hyun Huh (B.F.A., computer art, 1999) was the visual effects modeling supervisor and Yukinori Inagaki (M.F.A., visual effects, 2008) was the character rigging lead on The Wild Robot. Ryan Gillis (B.F.A., computer art, 2004) and Steve Bevins (B.F.A., visual effects, 2013) were both VFX department supervisors on Wicked. Gina Niespodziani (B.F.A., animation, 2011) was the visual effects executive producer on A Different Man. These visual effects artists allow filmmakers to create worlds and scenarios that would be impossible to capture realistically on camera, expanding creative possibilities, enhancing storytelling, and immersing audiences in fantastical narratives.
 
"No matter how the voting goes, a SCAD alumni will be on the winning team for Best Achievement in Visual Effects on March 2nd!" said SCAD visual effects chair Gray Marshall. "The sheer number of our visual effects graduates who contributed to these nominated films, both animated and live action, is a proud moment for our department and for the university as a whole. Our alumni continue to push the boundaries of storytelling through innovation, artistry, and technical excellence."

On a Wednesday evening in fall quarter, 2023, Logan Kilde (B.F.A. writing) sat beside the midge-combating high-grade industrial fan in the observational tower at the SCAD Athletics Complex in Hardeeville, S.C., busily entering the final stats for another win by the women's soccer team. Then a realization struck: "I realized they had an undefeated season going."
 
It was a scoreboard light bulb moment. The junior from Albemarle, N.C. decided to act fast: "I interviewed the coaches and wrote the article immediately, I was just so excited."
 
The resulting 450-word piece "SCAD Women's Soccer Coaches: It's all about bravery, relentlessness, and classiness" (published by SCAD District on Oct. 17, 2023) had the frisson of prediction: last year, the team won the NAIA women's soccer national championship for the first time in program history. The experience also changed Kilde's academic path: they switched majors from film to writing.
 
"I originally got involved in SCAD athletics just to have a part time job," Kilde says. Fortunately, that meant being hired as a student assistant to sports information director Colena Roberts. "Colena is the best, and it's really about SCAD athletics as a whole because almost every person there in a leadership position is a woman. It has changed my experience working with sports."
 
"Logan is one of the hardest working student workers I have ever had," Roberts says in typically frank fashion. "When they switched their major to writing, we began discussing how to integrate their studies into what they do for SCAD athletics. Logan had the idea to write about our student-athletes, and has gone ahead and did that, finding the athletes to write about, interviewing them and posting the stories on our website. What Logan does is so important."
 
Kilde's first profile, of Sun Conference All-Academic lacrosse standout Emma Roch, used techniques gleaned from courses in the writing program: Story Research (WRIT 285) with award-winning novelist Jonathan Rabb, and Writing for Arts and Entertainment (WRIT 205) with former Runner's World executive editor Tish Hamilton.
 
Hamilton is teaching Kilde again this quarter in Professional Freelance Writing (WRIT 353). "Logan is curious about the world, attentive to details, and committed to accuracy, which are qualities every professor hopes to see in a budding creative nonfiction writer and arts journalist," says Hamilton. "I admire Logan's fearlessness and commitment to bringing the skills learned in SCAD writing classes to the page with clarity and elegance."
 
In recent weeks, Kilde has penned perspicacious profiles of student-athletes from the cross country, equestrian, and bowling teams, in each instance illuminating what makes SCAD athletics unique.
 
"I believe that sports and art and design have an interesting connection, and that's one of the things I like writing about," Kilde says. "I am fascinated by SCAD athletes and their schedules and their respective sports and how it all ties into the creative work they do."

Glory awaits.

Connect with Logan on LinkedIn.

Food provides a window into a culture’s traditions, values, and history. The captivating docuseries chefATL, the latest project from SCAD Atlanta students, opens the kitchen door on the expansive culinary scene in the city.
 
"ChefATL utilizes a different host for each episode to get to the heart of what's most important to the series: exploring the people, stories, and philosophies behind the dishes," said SCAD associate chair of film and television Quinlan Orear. “It provides students with a valuable opportunity to learn from new mentors in every episode, with over 200 students participating in the series across nine SCAD degree programs."
 
Niranjana Karumampuram Arunkumar (M.F.A. film and television) played a crucial role in the production of chefATL as the second assistant camera operator. Her responsibilities included assisting with lens and filter changes, maintaining detailed camera reports, and managing equipment.
 
"Through this docuseries, I've gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry that defines Atlanta," Arunkumar said. "Each episode introduced me to different neighborhoods, local chefs, and unique culinary traditions, helping me feel more connected to the community."
 
This sense of connection is a key aspect of the chefATL experience. The show's format includes scripted and improvised elements, allowing the chef's personality and culinary expertise to shine through. Each episode involves shooting on location.  "One memorable behind-the-scenes moment was our visit to a bustling fresh market," Arunkumar recalled. “Besides capturing its atmosphere, we had the chance to explore and even buy some fresh ingredients to take home."
 
Aishwarya Goyal (B.F.A., fashion, 2024) enhanced chefATL's visual storytelling as a wardrobe coordinator. Goyal was responsible for creating lookbooks, ensuring outfits were camera-ready, and collaborating with the art department under SCAD associate chair of film and television Emma McGill and stylist Mitchell Hall (B.F.A., fashion, 2006).
 
"Fashion is about conveying a story through colors, fabrics, and designs, much like how we wanted to tell the story of food and culinary artistry through our docuseries," Goyal said. "Understanding how to curate looks that speak to different personalities and moods helped me create wardrobes that fit the cast and enhanced the narrative."
 
One of the primary challenges was balancing practicality with visual appeal. "Chefs need attire that allows them to move comfortably and handle the rigorous demands of cooking, which sometimes conflicted with the stylish, polished look we aimed for on camera," Goyal said.
 
Rajeev Pillai (M.A. advertising, 2024) served as the art director and postproduction lead for chefATL marketing initiatives led by SCAD professor of advertising Reginald Harrison. Pallai’s role involved generating innovative ideas and creating post-production assets aligned with the show's theme and target audience. Working on an episodic TV series presented new challenges, like developing a campaign that highlighted Atlanta's food scene—one that he was unfamiliar with.
 
"Our goal was to aid the process and enhance efficiency for everyone involved," Pillai said. "Fostering a heightened sense of curiosity allowed me to understand Atlanta's cultural fabric better, and my biggest takeaway was the importance of tact when pushing ideas forward."
 
Pillai proposed a multifaceted strategy to adapt the chefATL campaign to the dynamically changing advertising landscape, leveraging digital platforms, localized marketing efforts, and strategic partnerships with local food influencers and bloggers. 

"Pillai and team had to consider who the viewing audience would ultimately be and what kind of content would attract them to want to return episode after episode," Harrison said. " I’m very proud of the work they contributed."

As the series continues to grow, chefATL becomes more than just a culinary docuseries — it is a testament to Atlanta's rich cultural tapestry and the collaborative excellence of SCAD students.
 
After a sneak peek last week at SCAD TVfest, chefATL will premiere in the coming months on WABE TV (PBS-30). The series will be accessible to audiences nationwide via PBS Passport. Local chefs who appear in the series include James Beard award-winning and nominated chefs Steven Satterfield (Miller Union), Deborah VonTreace (Twisted Souls Cookhouse), Terry Koval (The Deer and The Dove), Parnass Savang (Talat Market), Jiyeon Lee (Heirloom Market), and Hector Santiago (El Super Pan).

Connect with the writer of this article, Surabhi Khare, on LinkedIn.

“You are here because you are all beauty disruptors, and you don’t become a disruptor without taking a risk,” said Allure features director Dianna Mazzone Singh, pinkie-zagging the air for emphasis. The event was Beauty Unlocked, the panel’s theme was “Disrupting the Beauty Scene,” and Shiseido global chief digital officer Angelica Munson, e.l.f. Beauty chief integrated marketing officer Patrick O’Keefe, and Roblox beauty global client partner Jana Barocas held the keys.
 
Held in a glammed-out May Poetter Gallery, “Disrupting the Beauty Scene” was part of two primer-packed days of presentations and portfolio reviews. Students from degree programs as diverse as business of beauty and fragrance, fashion marketing and management, and user experience design filled the second floor of Poetter Hall to learn more. What they had in common was an interest in the professional journeys of Beauty Unlocked’s marquee guests.

“We are bold disruptors with a kind heart, and we are super proud of the work we do every day to democratize beauty,” said e.l.f.’s O’Keefe. After discussing brand collabs involving corpse paint and competitive wrestling, O’Keefe brought up the Indy 500 — specifically Katherine Legge, the only female driver in the race in 2024, and the ninth woman of all time to compete in Indianaplis. Last May, Legge took to the track in an e.l.f.-branded suit, helmet, and car, making e.l.f. the sole beauty brand to serve as a primary sponsor of a driver in the world’s largest single-day sporting event. “There are 350,000 people who attend the Indy 500, forty-eight percent of them are women and girls, and no brand was representing them,” O’Keefe said.
 
O’Keefe and Barocas were on the same panel for good reason: they are professionally conjoined via the branded experience “social tycoon game” inside Roblox called e.l.f. UP! “For Gen Z, inclusivity, creativity and self-expression are incredibly important, why they come to Roblox, and what we love about partnering with e.l.f.,” said Barocas. “Our users love to collaborate with their friends in real time, and we love partnerships with brands who can amplify that.”

Listen, hear: Allure's Dianna Singh (left) with Jana Barocas of Roblox. 

Roblox has 90 million users logging on every day, each averaging two-and-a-half hours on the immersive gaming and creation platform. As rewards proliferate, promoting products digitally becomes permeable, as Barocas explained: “Fifty-six percent of Gen Z say that styling their digital avatar is more important than styling themselves in the physical world, and we see many of our users updating their avatar daily. We know this generation is willing to spend when it comes to styling their avatar, and it all comes back to the reason users come to the platform in the first place: to have fun.”
 
For Roblox, e.l.f., and Shiseido alike, impressive global reach requires intent. “The channels are different in the UK and Asia,” explained Munson, leader of Shiseido’s digital transformation office. “You need a strong brand book and operating model on how you can train your team in those markets.”
 
Shiseido is the parent company of over 30 brands including Drunk Elephant and Narciso Rodriguez. Having started Shiseido’s center for digital excellence in New York with “a nimble multi-national team,” Munson now works at company headquarters in Tokyo, bringing healthy disruption to the 153-year-old business.
 
And the work never stops: During the Q&A, SCAD graduate student Trenton Jones (M.F.A., UX design) asked Munson to predict omnichannel job opportunities for user experience designers. She told him that she was, in fact, looking for a UX designer and that “we should talk.”
 
That’s Beauty Unlocked.

 With a smile: Shiseido's Angelica Munson.

Thanks to moderator Dianna Singh, and to everyone who attended SCAD x Allure Beauty Unlocked.

Special thanks to Glothar.

One of the most important festivals in Chinese culture, Lunar New Year is a time to gather joyfully with family, bid farewell to the past year, and welcome a new beginning. To ring in the Year of the Snake, SCAD invited two advertising students, Jiya Ren (M.A. advertising) and Katherine Wu (M.A. advertising), to create a limited-edition sticker set inspired by traditional Chinese elements.

Ren's keen eye for detail and Wu's logical approach to design led to a product where complex ideas are made simple and engaging. The duo's complementary strengths are reflected through their intricate and collaborative design process.

"For this project, we discussed the direction and content of the sticker set together to ensure consistency in style and theme across the series," Ren and Wu said.

The duo drew inspiration from Chinese couplets, essential literary symbols of blessings and well wishes for the new year. They selected 12 Chinese idioms as the textual basis for the sticker designs, incorporating snakes, traditional decorations, and SCAD references as visual components arranged on a red diamond background. "Through creative design, we aimed to share this traditional culture with the global SCAD community in a modern, digital format. We chose stickers as our medium because they express emotions in a fun, casual way that aligns with how young people communicate on social platforms today."

The phrase "welcome spring and fortune" from the sticker set signifies the arrival of a new season filled with blessings. SCAD design elements, like the bee and the honeycomb, are incorporated to bridge the traditional and modern elements. A key symbolizes unlocking both a bright new year and the unlimited creative potential at SCAD.

"As emerging designers, we can extract core elements from traditional cultures — such as patterns, colors, and symbols — and simplify them through modern design to enhance their visual impact," said Ren and Wu. "Through cross-cultural integration, we can create works that feature both Chinese characteristics and global appeal, helping traditional culture find new life in modern design."

SCAD advertising students Jiya Ren (left) and Katherine Wu (right).

Ren and Wu's process illustrates the beauty found in combining seemingly disparate components, as the two integrates contemporary and modern design as well as each other's individual styles. "The process deepened our understanding that design isn't just creative expression — it's an important tool for cultural exchange," they said.
 
Ren and Wu advise future SCAD students interested in cultural creative fields to deeply understand and appreciate traditional cultural core values as they draw inspiration.  "Pay attention to global design trends, cultivate an international perspective to broaden creative thinking, and actively participate in real projects to continuously improve your professional skills and cultural sensitivity through practice."

With the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year approaching, Ren and Wu say that they discovered a warm international student community at SCAD devoted to heartfelt celebration and cultural exchange.

"We celebrate by gathering with other international students and friends, sharing traditional foods like mooncakes and tangyuan to maintain the festive atmosphere. We connect with family through video calls to feel the warmth of home. Through these ways, we can experience the traditional festival atmosphere even while studying abroad."

SCAD ISSO and CSA are jointly hosting vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations on Sat. Feb. 1.

Wishing everyone good fortune and abundant inspiration!

Justin Zielke has clay on his hands. The sculptor and digital conjuror, who has created videos for musicians as diverse as Joy Oladokun and Dave Matthews, is a daily devotee of malleable minerals and a keen observer of the human form. "The body is a point of interest to me," he says. "You add your own emotion to who this person is."
 
Zielke (M.F.A. animation, 2017) is speaking specifically about "The Missing Piece," his stunning new video for electronic musician Max Cooper. The clip uses oil-based clay renderings of human heads — they form, flow, fall apart and face off — to explore what Zielke calls "the absence of a loved one, the longing for the past, or the ephemeral nature of existence itself." YouTube comments range from "I'm trying to imagine exactly how the stop motion was pulled off so smoothly" (ChrisGuerra31) to "WOW!!!! MASTERPIECE!!!!!" (wandrahodge8908).
 
"The Missing Piece" incorporates some 30,000 individual images occupying a terabyte of data. "I take a photograph after I make every mark in the clay, which brings my attention to the moment I connect to an emotion," Zielke says. Working with capricious substances means his process and intentions are indivisible. "When I make a mark in clay, I don't go backwards. It's about finding rhythm and creating beauty in the moment and adapting to what I just did."
 
Call it equipoise: the calm and cool Kansan is a SCAD superstar. Featured in the SCAD Dreamers and Makers docuseries, the Alumni Atelier ambassador created site-specific work for the SCAD Lacoste Promenade de Sculptures in 2022. As SCAD MOA curator Ben Tollefson observes: "From a large-scale bronze sculpture to a cutting-edge stop-motion music video, Justin creates moving reflections on who we are as human beings."

Nuance in Repetition, bronze. 37x70x34", 2022, SCAD Lacoste.

Now, ten years after he first arrived in Savannah, Zielke reflects on his stint as a student: "I came to SCAD with the intention of flourishing in the animation industry, going to work for a big company in Hollywood. Then my professors pushed me to ask myself ‘Why are you creating this?' and I started gravitating towards fine art."
 
He praises motion media professor Michael Betancourt, whose "media theory class rocked me to my core," and animation faculty Christoph Simon "for his wide film knowledge and eye for aesthetic theory" and Jose Luis Silva "for encouraging me to show in a fine art situation."
 
"Justin was an amazing student," says Silva. "His genuine desire to advance his artistic abilities demonstrated his high expectations for himself. His master's thesis project [on Henri Bergson's theory of duration and habit] reflected that commitment. Justin's ability to improvise and push the conventions of traditional animation techniques has led to breakthroughs in his work."
 
Now, as collaborator Max Cooper continues his 3D/AV World Tour, Zielke explains that a new visual iteration of "The Missing Piece" will accompany him. "It's a two-part screen where Max stands in the middle and projects onto the front screen. Then there's a projection onto a back screen, and you can see through everything, and project your own emotions onto it."
 
The missing piece is in hand.

See more of the work of Justin Zielke.

As winter weather wrapped Washington, D.C., Paula Wallace was inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for a warm and welcome occasion. On the afternoon of Thurs., Jan. 2., SCAD's president and founder was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Joe Biden in a ceremony at the White House.

"A lifelong educator and trailblazer of the arts, Paula Wallace dreamt of a university that would transform how we think about professional education," declared a statement issued by the White House. "By establishing the esteemed Savannah College of Art and Design and serving as its president, she has guided thousands of students into creative industries."
 
The Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian award in the United States, recognizes individuals who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country and fellow citizens. "Our democracy begins and ends with the duties of citizenship," Biden told honorees inside the East Room of the White House. "That's our work for the ages. And that's what all of you — and I mean this — all of you embody."

President Wallace was among twenty recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal, who were awarded in a private ceremony, followed by a reception attended by family and friends.

As the official White House statement declared: "President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others. The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice."

After the ceremony, President Wallace said  how "profoundly humbled it had felt to sit alongside the other honorees: innovators and pioneers of medicine and healthcare, lifelong public servants, and dauntless civil rights champions. President Biden and the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden (a lifelong educator herself), personally select each recipient, and their overwhelming respect for each honoree shone through the entire event."

SCAD was founded in 1978 to create a specialized professional art college to attract students from the U.S. and abroad. A private, nonprofit, accredited university, SCAD now offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 18,500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 110 countries. SCAD has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more.

Visit scad.edu.

From the moment the ravishing Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) appears in the dusky depths of London underground train wearing a brilliant, broad-brimmed blue hat and long-tailed suit, all evidence points to a film classic underway. Experience that cinematic thrill this Saturday, Jan. 4 by joining SCAD FASH for a special screening of Iain Softley's The Wings of the Dove, featuring the stunning costume designs of Sandy Powell.

Based on the 1902 novel by Henry James, this 1997 romantic drama stars Linus Roache, Alison Elliott and the aforementioned Bonham Carter in a dangerous pas de trois. Enjoy complimentary popcorn with fellow film and costume enthusiasts, as garments on view in the SCAD FASH exhibition Sandy Powell's Dressing the Part: Costume Design for Film are brought to life on screen. 

As superlative site The Fashionéaste ("For lovers of fashion in film") perceptively wrote: "The year is 1910, and the London elite clothed in the oriental-inspired finery by Paul Poiret, luxuriate in peace, before World War I befalls Europe.  Exoticism abounds, rich colors, Art Nouveau influences, feminine lines, softness are the trends of the day."

"The period in which The Wings of the Dove is set is a real turning point in the history of fashion," Powell said in the film's production notes, referring to a relaxation of the 19th century corseted look. "Clothing became a lot less restrictive."

As the film moves from London to Venice, the costumes change too, embodying the underlying emotions. As Powell said: "In Venice, I wanted to enhance the fact that the characters had been totally removed from the repression of city life. There is a release and a liberation that is reflected in their flowing, unstructured garments. I was keen to avoid a 'cream lace' look and instead the costumes in Venice feature lighter, brighter colors and have more of an ethnic, North African look."

Sandy Powell's Dressing the Part: Costume Design for Film immerses viewers in Powell's nearly 40-year career, featuring more than 125 costumes from films including Gangs of New York, Carol, Interview with a Vampire, The Aviator, The Other Boleyn Girl, and Velvet Goldmine.

Powell, recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' highest honor, remains a formidable force in filmmaking. Her career-long partnerships with directors Martin Scorsese, Todd Haynes, Neil Jordan, and Derek Jarman and actors Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julianne Moore, and Tilda Swinton have contributed to the creation of iconic film characters.

The exhibition exemplifies SCAD's continued commitment to the art of costume design. The university is proud to now offer its top-ranked production design and costume design degree programs in the prestigious SCAD School of Film and Acting at SCAD Atlanta. Experience Powell's extraordinary contribution to costume design by attending this Saturday's screening of The Wings of the Dove at SCAD FASH.

The Wings of the Dove is rated R for content, with a running time of 102 minutes.

Learn more about Dressing the Part at SCAD FASH.

When the Godfather talks, sneaker students listen.
 
Steven Smith, known as the "Godfather of Modern Sneaker Design," came to SCAD Savannah this fall as marquee guest at the second annual SCAD SNKR Culture Week. "This was such a great moment to share and pass on knowledge and career insights to these amazing students," he enthused.
 
The spry designer connected with SCAD sneaker design students through master’s workshops, class visits, and a full capacity "In Conversation with Steven Smith" live event hosted by design mentor Jessica Del Genio and SCAD sneaker design professor Mike Mack.
 
"Sneaker culture has always revolved around the people who shape it, and very few embody this like Steven Smith," said sneaker design professor Mike Mack. "Steven is a truly versatile and industry-defining sneaker design icon, and we were thrilled to have him here at SCAD, sharing his expertise, dropping sneaker science, and mentoring our students throughout the week."
 
Smith’s revolutionary work makes him a pivotal figure in sneaker design over the past three decades. As the creative mind behind iconic models for New Balance, Reebok, Yeezy — and now as the new head of creative innovation at Crocs — he is known for changing the boundaries of form, function, and fashion.
 
During his week-long visit to SCAD, Smith engaged with students to explore the art, innovation, and sneaker culture. Students from sneaker design and accessory design had the opportunity to present to Smith reinterpreted designs of some of his most iconic footwear designs.
 
"Working with Steven during his visit to SCAD was eye-opening, and his expertise and creativity are extraordinarily inspiring," said graduate student Valentina Garcia (M.F.A., sneaker design). "As I pursue my master’s degree in sneaker design, Steven's mentorship will deeply influence my future."
 
During SNKR Culture Week, SCAD highlighted the transformative role that sneaker culture has assumed in global fashion. As Long-Nam To, Chair of SCAD’s Sneaker Design Program, explained: "In our lifetime, we’ve gone from not truly considering sneaker culture as a career opportunity, to educating our students to understand there is a career path moving forward."
 
The SCAD sneaker design program prepares students for the full spectrum of footwear possibilities in a booming, $80-billion field that exceeds the hype. Students hone skills in sketching, rendering, concept development, digital prototyping, and branding, guided by accomplished industry insiders.
 
SCAD SNKR Culture was exclusively curated for SCAD students, exemplifying the unparalleled access the university provides for students to learn from groundbreaking design leaders. As Mack put it: "Steven coming to SNKR Culture confirms we’re building something special at SCAD."
 
Smith agreed: "I look forward to helping SCAD students again in the near future, and I'm honored to have been part of this amazing program."

Learn more about sneaker design at SCAD.

After two decades "chasing the creative pursuit" at Martha Stewart and BarkBox, delivering projects for Gatorade and Rooted, and thriving as a director at powerhouse consultancy Smart Design, Dan Grossman (B.F.A., industrial design, 2005) knows his stuff. "My industrial design superpower is where design and business intersect," he says. "When you take on a project as a designer — it could be a chainsaw or a blender or flushable wipes — you unlock something in your brain that sticks with you for life."
 
Today, the gregarious, genial New Yorker is cofounder of LOO, the new, plant-based brand of bathroom wipes that come in snazzy, 100% recyclable packaging. "With LOO, we’re committed to making a better wipe," Grossman says. "We come from a deep bench of professional experiences and hold ourselves to a high standard. We’re proving LOO is market fit."

Flush life: new LOO Wipes.

Now swipe back: Twenty-five years ago, teenage Dan was attending Ardsley High School in Westchester County, thinking he’d stay local for college. "Then I saw that SCAD had just done the EXO Spyder Concept Car. That’s when I learned about industrial design, like, wait, it’s computer art plus building things? I knew from day one that I wanted to study industrial design."
 
Grossman recalls a "really interesting era" at SCAD before the advent of smartphones. "Industrial design was focused on the fundamentals: sketching and CAD modeling. There was a professor named John Kolko who got us reading and talking about user behavior and cognitive decision-making when interacting with a product. The whole world of digital product design began happening. That was all highly formative for me."
 
During his junior year, Grossman took a big step into the creative world as a chainsaw-drawing intern at Husqvarna. He followed this with a stint at NiCE LTD designing perfume packaging for Hugo Boss. "I went from thinking about the engineering challenges behind leaf blower ergonomics to designing a little glass bottle that evokes emotion," he says. "My industrial design experience at SCAD prepared me to move between those two worlds, and really see them as part of the same world."
 
Victor Ermoli, Dean, SCAD De Sole School of Business Innovation and School of Design, speaks glowingly of Grossman: "When Dan was a student and I was his professor, his leadership qualities were already impossible to miss. He advocated fiercely for his fellow students and approached every challenge with an unwavering determination to succeed. I’m incredibly proud to see how he's thrived in an industry that's constantly evolving. In 2020, we were thrilled to bring Dan back as our industrial design alumni mentor, where he reviewed student portfolios, collaborated with our IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America) student chapter, and guided students on how to land that crucial first job after graduation. Dan continues to embody the very best of SCAD's industrial design program — passionate, driven, and always ahead of the curve."
 
Today, Grossman lives in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he and his wife Kate run loveit.studio. A punk rocker at heart (he just saw NOFX on their farewell tour), he continues to feel a profound connection to The University for Creative Careers.
 
"Studying industrial design at SCAD prepared me to enter a trade I was passionate about," says Grossman. "Best of all, I’m still passionate about it."

Superpowered design: connect with Dan Grossman.