We are the Windhams—designers, makers, educators—working together to create kinetic art.
Courtney Windham ::: Courtney is a designer, maker, educator, and mom of two children and three birds, all of whom are constantly making a mess in her studio space. Her research focuses on exploring the connection between formal design processes and the intuitive creative process. She is currently working on a book titled "Discovering the Design Process: Into the Beautiful Mess" which will offer insights into how young designers can use personal and formal processes to build design concepts and make informed decisions.
In her design work, Courtney combines various analog and digital techniques to create multi-layered projects that integrate time-based media with print. She also enjoys creating handmade pieces through collage, custom printing, and of course, kinetic art, while repurposing materials.
Courtney has a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her creative work has been featured in national and international publications, and she was recognized as an "Educator-to-Watch" in GDUSA Magazine's inaugural list of distinguished design professors in the country.
Jerrod Windham ::: Since joining the faculty at Auburn University in 2007, Associate Professor Jerrod Windham has been committed to educating the next generation of designers in a manner that reaches beyond the status quo. In Over 16+ years, he has, and continues to challenge his students to best utilize their role as student and creative.
Like most industrial designers, Jerrod works to promote the idea that design isn't just about creating something aesthetically pleasing; it's an exploration into the physical realization of what is possible. Exploration and curiosity is at the core of his approach to education. He is continuously challenging his students to employ their creativity as an extremely valuable resource, encouraging them to design with purpose without ignoring the responsibilities industrial designers inherently possess.
As a faculty member at a research institution, Jerrod dedicates his efforts to the intersection of emerging technology, sustainability, and design ethics. As a self-proclaimed early adopter, he recognizes the nuanced dichotomy at the heart of technological progress, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. His approach to design research and education are constantly seeking balance to this challenge.
