At CCS, Hakha immersed himself in Integrated Design – a field blending interaction design, business strategy and technology, and discovered his passion for UX design. Now, he is working as the Director of Product Design at HBO Max, where he found his purpose in creating experiences that bring people joy — pushing his skills in a dynamic, fast-evolving field. “I found my direction in grad school through the people and projects that showed me how design could drive real change in the industry.”
As Michigan’s only “Art and Design Opportunity College,” designated by the Carnegie Classifications, the College for Creative Studies (CCS) is redefining the meaning of hands-on learning.
Calling on 120 years of industry connections, CCS’s experiential learning program offers students direct access to professional environments. The College’s Office of Partnerships connects students to industry through sponsored classroom projects in collaboration with partners, internships in their desired fields, participation in exhibitions and gallery shows, career recruiting events, portfolio reviews, global experiences and more.
“The most important project I did at CCS was a sponsored project. It was so valuable to get feedback from working professionals. That’s something you never get in high school.”
— Hakha Mashayekhi, 2015 Graduate Studies Integrated Design
These opportunities, paired with a curriculum built for the realities of art and design industries, prepare students for a creative career and a fulfilling creative life. With an 80%* undergraduate placement rate and 91%** graduate placement rate in 2024, it’s clear why this institution is known as the place for serious creatives.
CCS is located in Detroit, the only UNESCO City of Design in the United States. Students and alumni draw daily inspiration from the city’s rich creative culture. They are not just participants—they are leaders, driving innovation, sparking creativity, and shaping meaningful change in Detroit and beyond.
The College offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in many different art and design disciplines, from Transportation Design and Fashion Design to Photography, Animation and Studio Art and Craft, and more. And this year, CCS announced a new Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Business Management, which can be completed in three years.
Using their critical thinking skills and creativity, CCS alumni are changing the world and tackling the most pressing problems of our times. Alumni work at leading companies like the Big Three automakers, Google, Lego, Roblox, Blizzard, Marvel, and Coach. Their art is exhibited in prestigious venues such as the the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the Smithsonian Institution, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
*undergraduate knowledge rate: 87%
**graduate knowledge rate: 97%
