Brandon Little has been named the new Maxine and Stuart Frankel Director of Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills. He had served as interim director since December 2025.
Little has more than two decades of global creative leadership, most recently as founder and chief creative officer of Artefkt Watches, his independent watch design and manufacturing venture that operates in the Historic Milles Studio at Cranbrook. It was founded in Detroit.
Prior to launching Artefkt (artifact), Little served as vice president, creative director, and head of design at Bedrock Manufacturing and Shinola in Detroit, where he led cross-category design and brand strategy across watches, eyewear, and lifestyle products.
He also oversaw their in-house design agency, which partnered with designers such as Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, All Saints, and Filson.
“Brandon understands what makes Cranbrook Academy of Art extraordinary,” says Aimeclaire Roche, president of Cranbrook Educational Community. “During his time as Interim Director, he has demonstrated thoughtful leadership, a deep commitment to Cranbrook’s mission, and a genuine ability to bring people together.
“He has earned the trust and respect of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and board members through his collaborative approach and clear vision for the Academy’s future. We are thrilled to have Brandon lead the Academy into its next chapter.”
Earlier in Little’s career, he spent eight years as senior vice president and chief creative officer for Fossil Group, directing global creative leadership for a portfolio of 13 luxury brands across international design teams in the United States, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.
“The strength of Cranbrook Academy of Art has never been found in a single discipline or individual. It’s found in the conversations, collaborations, and creative risks that happen every day across our studios,” says Little.
“It’s an honor to serve this community and help steward an institution that has shaped generations of creative leaders. I look forward to working together to preserve what makes Cranbrook exceptional while continuing to imagine what comes next.”
Little served as co-chair of Savannah College of Art and Design’s SCADpro program from 2015 to 2016, where he initiated and co-led an interdisciplinary team of students around the future of connected wearables. He also served on the Board of Governors of Cranbrook Academy of Art and Cranbrook Art Museum from 2024 to 2025.
Born and raised in southern Louisiana, Little has lived and worked in New York, Miami, Milan, Italy; Vallée De Joux, Switzerland; Dallas; and Detroit. His global perspective includes design, fine art, craft, cultural stewardship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
In 2004, Little was one of the first Americans to represent the United States to study at the exclusive Creative Academy, founded by the Richemont Group, in Milan, Italy.
“Over the past several months, Brandon has earned the confidence of our board and the respect of the academy community through his collaborative leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and steadfast commitment to the academy,” says Denise Anton David, chair of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Cranbrook Art Museum Board of Governors.
“His appointment as director reflects our belief that he is the right leader to build on the Academy’s remarkable legacy while guiding it toward a new and exciting future.”
Little is now the academy’s 12th director (non-interim), since Eliel Saarinen was first appointed in 1932.
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 Cranbrook’s landmark Saarinen-designed campus.
For more information, visit us at cranbrookart.edu.
