Cranbrook Academy of Art Appoints Brandon Little as Interim Director
Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Dec. 10, 2025 – The Cranbrook Educational Community Board of Trustees announced this month that Brandon Little has been named Interim Director of Cranbrook Academy of Art, effective December 1.
Little brings more than 20 years of creative global leadership experience to the role, along with strong connections to Cranbrook, and Detroit’s design community.
He is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Artefkt Watches, an independent design and manufacturing venture dedicated to precision titanium tool watches and advancing the industrial arts community.
Previously, Little held senior creative leadership roles at Bedrock Manufacturing and Shinola, where he led cross-category design and brand strategy across watches, eyewear, leather goods, and lifestyle products. Before relocating to Detroit in 2021, he spent eight years as Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer for Fossil Group, directing global creative strategy for 13 brands and leading design teams in the U.S. and Switzerland. His work includes collaborations with luxury houses such as Burberry, Armani, Tory Burch, and Tom Ford.
“Brandon is a strategic, collaborative, and visionary leader,” said Aimeclaire Roche, President of Cranbrook Educational Community. “His career reflects a belief that creativity flourishes at the intersection of industry, craft, art, and culture—values that are fundamental to Cranbrook’s mission. His combination of thoughtful innovation, mentorship, and strategic insight is coming to the Academy at a pivotal moment in its evolution, and we are delighted to welcome him into this role.”
Little served as Co-Chair of the master’s program at Savannah College of Art and Design. He also served on the Board of Governors of Cranbrook Academy of Art and Cranbrook Art Museum from 2024 to 2025.
“Cranbrook has long shaped creative thinkers and makers, and its legacy reminds us that creativity is a superpower that connects us and expands how we see the world,” said Little. “Our interdisciplinary Atelier model is unlike any other. I’m honored to help guide the Academy’s next chapter and support a community where artists, designers, and craftspeople push boundaries in a hands-on, co-creative environment that challenges the status quo and fuels truly unbound potential.”
Little succeeds Chris Whittey, who left Cranbrook in November.
“We look forward to Brandon’s leadership as we continue advancing our mission and strengthening our community,” added Denise Anton David, Chair of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Cranbrook Art Museum Board of Governors.
About Cranbrook Academy of Art
Cranbrook Academy of Art is one of the country’s top-ranked, graduate-only programs in architecture, design, and fine art. Each year, up to 75 students are invited to study and live on our landmark Saarinen-designed campus, which features private studios, state-of-the-art workshops, a renowned Art Museum, and 300 acres of forests, lakes, and streams, all a short drive from the art, design, and music scene of Detroit. The focus at Cranbrook is on studio practice in one of 10 disciplines: Architecture, Ceramics, Fiber, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Print Media, and Sculpture. The program is anchored by celebrated faculty and Artists- and Designers-in-Residence, one for each discipline, all of whom live and practice on campus alongside our students. For more information, visit us at www.cranbrookart.edu.
Media Contact
Julie Fracker
Director of Communications
Cranbrook Academy of Art + Cranbrook Art Museum
jfracker@cranbrook.edu
248.645.3329
