Stewart Reed

Emeritus Chair

Stewart Reed is an automotive & industrial designer whose influence in the industry is substantial. His lifelong connections with ArtCenter, most as Chair of Transportation Design for 18-years and also as student/alumni, and as instructor and advisory board member concurrent with his industry roles. His past students are a “who’s who” of legendary & upcoming designers, including Chip Foose, Frank Stephenson, Dave Marek, Laura Arias, Daniel Jiminez, and many more. Reed has judged design and concours events, for Louis Vuitton, Michelin, Asian automakers, Pebble Beach, Amelia, and Audrain in Newport, RI among others. Reed designed the scissor-doored 1970 Meyers Manx SR, then went on to advanced concept design, for Chrysler and then Toyota’s Newport Beach Design Studio. He then built the R&D team for a global automotive Tier 1 supplier in Michigan.

Independently, he’s designed, consulted and created concepts for Lockheed, Ford, Cunningham Motors, Herman Miller and others, perhaps most well known, the Type 64 Bugatti for Peter Mullin’s Museum, (now with ArtCenter’s Mullin Transportation Design Center). Stewart’s industry stature and engaging personality are beloved in the automotive world. Students find him accessible, offering wisdom & experience - his relationships and adept insights enable his guidance in design education, just the way Tink Adams envisioned.