How Maurice Woods Went From Pro Basketball to Microsoft Design Leader

<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>This conversation dives deep into:</p><ul><li>The transition from basketball to graphic design</li><li>What it means to be a Black designer in tech</li><li>Building Inneract Project from the ground up</li><li>Why representation in design matters</li><li>The importance of mentorship and community</li><li>Creativity, purpose, and identity</li><li>How design shapes culture and society</li><li>AI, the future of design, and staying relevant</li><li>Entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for others</li></ul><p>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.</p><p>⸻</p><p>🔗 Learn more about Inneract Project:<br />https://www.inneractproject.org</p><p>🎙️ Subscribe to The Art School Graduate Podcast for more conversations with artists, designers, educators, and creative leaders shaping culture and the future of creativity.</p><p><br /></p><p>#MauriceWoods #GraphicDesign #DesignPodcast #BlackDesigners #MicrosoftDesign #UXDesign #CreativeCareers #InneractProject #DesignEducation #ArtSchoolGraduate #ProductDesign #CreativeJourney #DesignLeadership #RepresentationMatters #PodcastInterview</p>