Brian Gulassa

Brian Gulassa is a Senior Adjunct in the Industrial Design Program at California College of the Arts (CCA), where he has taught for nearly a decade. He holds a BFA from CCA and brings over 35 years of professional experience in product, toy, and industrial design.

• Position: Senior Adjunct, Industrial Design Program
• Institution: California College of the Arts
• Location: Berkeley, CA

His teaching includes courses such as Design Drawing, Toy Design, Industrial Design, and Play Culture, emphasizing innovation and real-world design practices.

Brian’s research and creative interests revolve around the intersection of design and play. He believes that play is essential across all ages and integrates this philosophy into both his professional work and pedagogy. His design approach emphasizes authenticity, narrative, and user experience, focusing on how products naturally convey their function and purpose.

While no formal academic articles are listed, his professional case studies—such as the redesign of Blackburn bicycle accessories—demonstrate innovation in product development, user-centered design, and brand integration. His work often combines aesthetic refinement with functional improvements, such as enhancing LED visibility and reengineering assembly processes for better usability.

Brian has received design awards and holds multiple patents, with hundreds of products on the market through collaborations with companies like Mattel, Disney, Tyco, Green Toys, and Wild Planet.

• Design Awards (unspecified)
• Multiple Product Patents
• Recognition for innovative design solutions in consumer goods

He is actively involved in mentoring students and shares design tutorials through his YouTube channel (ProfessorGulassa). His professional practice, Brian Gulassa Design, offers end-to-end design services from concept to production, emphasizing creativity, brand identity, and manufacturing feasibility.

Brian maintains strong ties to CCA as both an alumnus and educator, contributing to the next generation of designers through hands-on instruction and industry insights. He also runs a professional design studio focused on innovation in toys, sports equipment, and consumer products.