About & Services

Michael Forbes / Product Designer

Michael Forbes attended The College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI where he received his BFA in Product Design. Prior to attending CCS he studied Computer Graphics Technology at Schoolcraft Community College. Currently he is a full time product designer and project manager at the Henry Ford Innovation Institute responsible for an array of creative services in the field of product design and development of devices, services, and new technology intended for the future of human health. His most recent accomplishment with HFii includes leading the re-design of the Henry Ford Hospital Patient Gown widely featured in the recent news.

Prior his career at HFii , Michael created and still operates as Co-Owner and designer for Anymile Clothing (a play off the Eight Mile thoroughfare in Detroit), which helps support local families facing hardship and eventually hopes to finance more research and development to perfect his U.S.B. design concept featured as a finalist for the 2011 International Design Excellence Award’s (IDSA); also featured in the New York Times Article: Altering Clothes and Lives with Design for the design of his Ulterior Survival Bag (U.S.B.) and work with Anymile Clothing . The U.S.B. is a bag that transforms into a boot. Two U.S.B.’s combined together form one bag, and when separated from each other they provide protection from frostbite and other common foot ailments when proper shelter and footwear is not available. The inspiration for this design came from his junior CCS studio class “Design To Solve For A Need”. He worked with the homeless community in Detroit where the need for winter boots far exceeds the available supply.

During the fall of 2010 Michael spent time at Hasbro Inc. in Rhode Island serving as a design intern on the Marvel Design Team. His designs included work for the movie line toys Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, The Avengers, and Spiderman focusing on new technology, future play patterns and designing innovative ways of play. Several concepts went to production including Avengers Tri-Power Repulsor

Upon his return from Hasbro Inc. he began his career with The Henry Ford Innovation Institute as a CCS student and later hired on as a full-time product designer at HFii upon graduating from CCS. He continues to design for The Henry Ford Innovation Institute consulting with Doctors and Nurses at Henry Ford Health System utilizing design thinking, 3D visualization, prototyping, product design and development services intended to help market and commercialize new ideas in healthcare.