Art & Design Welcomes New Faculty Member CoCo Ree Lemery, Assistant Professor, Industrial Design

CoCo Ree Lemery is an award-winning designer and the founder of Studio Kloak, a Chicago-based studio recognized for its fusion of sustainable and collectible design. With a background designing for global retailers including Pottery Barn, Jonathan Adler, and Williams Sonoma, CoCo champions environmentally conscious making—utilizing locally reclaimed materials and experimental biomaterial techniques.

Named Independent Designer of the Year by Interior Design magazine, CoCo also leads workshops and lectures across the country, empowering designers of all backgrounds and experience levels. With extensive industry expertise, their insights are regularly featured in publications such as Business Insider, CNBC, Fast Company, and The Washington Post.

In addition to ongoing collaborations with major design brands, CoCo’s creative practice is rooted in Studio Kloak, a zero-waste design studio dedicated to challenging conventional notions of disposability through hands-on, material-based exploration. The studio’s work explores themes of sustainability, community, and material storytelling, and is exhibited internationally.

Committed to democratizing design, Studio Kloak fosters an inclusive, educational space that encourages experimentation and shared learning. Recent recognitions include the Social Impact Award from Adorno and WantedDesign, Best Emerging Design Studio from NYCxDESIGN, and Excellence in Product Design from the German Design Awards.