In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with designer, educator, and founder Maurice Woods for a powerful conversation about creativity, identity, representation, and building purpose through design.

Maurice Woods is a Principal Designer at Microsoft, a former professional basketball player, and the founder of Inneract Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating access and opportunities for underrepresented youth in design and tech.

From growing up in Richmond, California, to playing professional basketball overseas, to becoming a leader in the design industry, Maurice shares the real story behind his journey and the lessons he’s learned navigating sports, creativity, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and representation in corporate America.

This conversation dives deep into:

• The transition from basketball to graphic design
• What it means to be a Black designer in tech
• Building Inneract Project from the ground up
• Why representation in design matters
• The importance of mentorship and community
• Creativity, purpose, and identity
• How design shapes culture and society
• AI, the future of design, and staying relevant
• Entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for others

If you’re a creative, designer, student, educator, entrepreneur, or someone trying to find purpose in your work, this episode is filled with wisdom, honesty, and inspiration.

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🔗 Learn more about Inneract Project:
https://www.inneractproject.org

🎙️ Subscribe to The Art School Graduate Podcast for more conversations with artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders shaping culture and the future of creativity.

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