Kevin Gilboe Positions Design Core Detroit and CCS at Forefront of Mobility Initiatives As Project Lead with the Global Epicenter of Mobility
January 21, 2024
“As champions of Detroit design and fierce advocates for inclusive design specifically, Design Core plays a unique role in the GEM initiative,” Bonnie Fahoome, Co-Executive Director of Design Core Detroit said. “Kevin’s career experience as a global leader in design and his personal passion for design education, civic leadership and participatory design making, made him the ideal person for this role on our team.”
Funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Gilboe fills a crucial role connecting Design Core Detroit (which is a part of the College for Creative Studies) and mobility initiatives in the Detroit region. And for Gilboe, his new role with Design Core is like a return home. Gilboe previously worked closely with CCS on sponsored projects as the Director and Head of Design, International for 3M and the former Brand Studio Manager for KitchenAid. Prior to that he took continuing education courses in Transportation Design and Alias while studying Industrial Design at the University of Michigan.
“It’s been very meaningful to come back here because of that long-term relationship. After my time in the corporate world, this is all about giving back and how I can help the future be a better place.”
Equipped with a multimillion-dollar grant to revolutionize the Detroit region (11 counties) and elevate the mobility ecosystem, GEM’s core principles are to champion mobility leadership, inclusivity and capabilities in order to make Detroit a global leader in mobility design. Design Core Detroit is part of an impressive coalition with TechTown (Wayne State University), Centrepolis Accelerator (Lawrence Tech), Endeavor Detroit, Invest Detroit, Michigan Founders Fund and the University of Michigan. Gilboe describes it as “exciting to work on an ecosystem-level challenge that engages businesses, community champions, and the public sector. This is truly design for the real world.” Gilboe’s role with GEM as an expert in product, brand and design strategy serves as a crucial resource to accelerating mobility startups, particularly in the Detroit area.
“As Detroit accelerates, we play a key role in amplifying our unique creative culture and bringing communities together. Great cities need inclusive, well-considered design for moving people, goods and ideas.”
To learn more about Design Core Detroit please visit https://designcore.org/. To learn more about the Global Epicenter of Mobility please visit https://gemdetroitregion.com/.
