SCAD announces new dean of the School of Design

Ben Dashwood
Victor Ermoli

By: Angela Ashley

Published: Friday, July 8, 2005

 On June 17, the Savannah College of Art and Design announced the appointment of Victor Ermoli, a 17-year veteran of the product and industrial design industry, as dean of the School of Design. He succeeds Bonnie Kubasta, who has returned to teaching full-time in the metals and jewelry department.

“Design is the natural master of innovation, and the control of innovation has become an invaluable asset,” said Ermoli. “I am delighted to continue SCAD’s success in establishing our leadership position in producing design professionals who are in charge of the innovative process.”

Ermoli joined the college in January 1998 as chair of the industrial design department and, under his leadership, SCAD became the first design college in the United States to design and build a working, street-legal prototype car. The EXO Spyder was unveiled in 1999.

In addition, he has earned many accolades, such as being featured in Business Report magazine’s “40 under 40” and in ID magazine’s “40 Best Designers Under 30.” In 2001, he received a U.S. patent for a design for a new line of Venetian blinds.

Originally from Venezuela, where he earned degrees in industrial design, Ermoli holds a Master of Environmental Design in industrial design from University of Calgary, Canada, and a Bachelor of Science in industrial design and product design from TheOhio State University. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian.

“Given my background, I naturally think globally, which is important since we are an international university doing business in a global world,” he said. “Once garments, textiles, furniture and products are designed, the various components can be manufactured in many different corners of the world, further demonstrating that design is a universal language playing a very important role in the economy.”

Kubasta said, “It has been exciting to work with Victor as dean, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as a faculty member. He is a dynamic leader who sees the big picture and focuses on results.”

Kubasta began her tenure with SCAD in 1994 as a professor in the metals and jewelry department. The following year she was promoted to chair. When the college rolled out a new structure introducing the School of Design in 1996, Kubasta was appointed dean. As a graduate of The Ohio State University (B.A.Ed. and B.F.A.) and University of Oregon (M.F.A.), she has remained focused on her commitment to education and has been recognized in 1998, 2004 and 2005 in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. 

“The School of Design continues to be very strong in addressing the growing needs of the students and in preparing our students for careers,” she said. “I don’t know of another institution that so vigorously supports new ideas.” 

An example of that support is the development of the accessory design minor. At the end of its first year of class offerings, more than 50 students were declared as minors. Kubasta initiated this program as a collaborative effort among the fibers, fashion, and metals and jewelry departments.

“With the exportation of manufacturing to Asia and information technology to India, design has become a powerful strategic tool for economic development,” Ermoli said. “We are recognizing more and more the important role design plays in our lives. Everything we see and touch has been designed. This is a great time for design. For the first time in its history, [design] is finding itself, and SCAD is leading the way.”

Ashley is director of communications at SCAD.