Internationally known sculptor, machinist, and hot rod enthusiast, Michael Cooper came to teach how synthesis, rule breaking, and planning without a plan can be a truly liberating experience. Students were lead through a vast series of technical demonstrations and told to create parts/experiments and let the materials guide them through the building process. This approach was a radical departure from the standard design procedure that we train students to use and one that was liberating, exciting, and productive.

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to congratulate CCA on a very exciting and recent accolade! BusinessWeek magazine has recently honored the MBA in Design Strategy Program here at CCA by including us on their list of the top 30 design programs in the WORLD. Their list represents the final results of extensive research and the polling of prominent academics, designers, consultants, and business managers on the best MBA or master's programs that significantly integrate design thinking and business. We're quite thrilled about this accomplishment!

California College of the Arts (CCA) and Santa Clara University (SCU), competing as Team California, maintained their lead in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon this morning by winning the communications contest.

In addition to designing, building, and operating an attractive, functional, and energy-efficient solar-powered home, competitors must communicate the technical aspects of the house and the user experience to a wide audience via websites and the public exhibit on the National Mall in Washington DC.

California College of the Arts (CCA) and Santa Clara University (SCU), competing as Team California, took the lead in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon this morning by winning the architecture contest with a score of 98 out of a possible 100. Evaluating three main factors—architectural elements, holistic design, and inspiration—the jurors praised Team California's house as "beautiful in every respect." They commented specifically on its "excellent project documentation, crystal-clear concept, and successful translation of a regional architecture to Washington DC."