Born in the Detroit, Michigan area, Brigid O'Kane received her degree in Graphic Design from Macomb College in 1986, her BFA in Industrial Design from the College for Creative Studies in 1990, and her MFA in Drawing from the University of Cincinnati in 2005. Since 2001 Brigid O’Kane has held the position of Associate Professor of Design in the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. Professor O’Kane’s primary focus in the School of Design is Transportation Design, and led the finalization the of a Transportation Design curriculum within the Industrial Design Program.
O’Kane came to the University of Cincinnati following ten years working for General Motors (GM) as a Senior Lead Creative Designer. While at GM, Professor O’Kane received a broad range of experience working in numerous brand character centers. O’Kane also worked at the General Motors Advanced Concept Center in California developing running prototypes of advanced concept vehicles. In 1998 she received the GM Award of Excellence for Outstanding Creativity and Leadership.She has contributed extensively to several additional organizations such as Eyes on Design for the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, Concept Cure, Women in Design and Design Educators Committee.
Prior to coming to the University of Cincinnati Professor O’Kane was actively teaching and tutoring at institutions such as the College for Creative Studies, Art Center College of Design, and the Cleveland Institute of Art. Professor O’Kane has presented lectures and workshops globally and has been featured in publications including USA Today, Car Styling, an appearance on The Joan Lunden Show and a published chapter in Design and Designing: A Critical Introduction. Currently she is cofounder and serves on the Board of Directors for Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, a non-profit organization of art and design. Brigid O’Kane merges her interest and study of Fine Art with her noteworthy experience in a mass-consumer oriented design field and her expertise in the academic arena of design education. With this she brings the promise of an open minded and broadly informed view of art and design.
O’Kane came to the University of Cincinnati following ten years working for General Motors (GM) as a Senior Lead Creative Designer. While at GM, Professor O’Kane received a broad range of experience working in numerous brand character centers. O’Kane also worked at the General Motors Advanced Concept Center in California developing running prototypes of advanced concept vehicles. In 1998 she received the GM Award of Excellence for Outstanding Creativity and Leadership.She has contributed extensively to several additional organizations such as Eyes on Design for the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, Concept Cure, Women in Design and Design Educators Committee.
Prior to coming to the University of Cincinnati Professor O’Kane was actively teaching and tutoring at institutions such as the College for Creative Studies, Art Center College of Design, and the Cleveland Institute of Art. Professor O’Kane has presented lectures and workshops globally and has been featured in publications including USA Today, Car Styling, an appearance on The Joan Lunden Show and a published chapter in Design and Designing: A Critical Introduction. Currently she is cofounder and serves on the Board of Directors for Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, a non-profit organization of art and design. Brigid O’Kane merges her interest and study of Fine Art with her noteworthy experience in a mass-consumer oriented design field and her expertise in the academic arena of design education. With this she brings the promise of an open minded and broadly informed view of art and design.
