Joyce Thomas

Joyce Thomas serves as an Associate Professor of Industrial Design at Auburn University, where courses include Industrial Design Studio and Computer Applications. In addition, Joyce is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of ThomasSchumerGroup, which focuses on cultivating a strong entrepreneurial environment for small businesses. As Principal of Joyce Thomas Designs, responsibilities encompass design research, strategy, and product development. Joyce has extensive teaching experience at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has held roles such as Chief Design Officer for the Midwest Professional Basketball Association. Further, contributions to academia include a Visiting Scholar position at the Beckman Institute and directorship at The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship. Joyce's professional background includes over two decades as a Senior Industrial Designer at Electrolux Home Products, complemented by an MFA in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois and a BFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology.