Design Alumnus John Henley Recognized with SJA Fellowship
Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Design alumnus John Henley (BDes '24) has been awarded the prestigious SJA Fellowship, a recognition that not only honors his creative work but also reaffirms the impact of design as a tool for deeper understanding and change. Through this yearlong, nonresidential program, SJA Fellows receive a stipend to pursue their ideas, a nationwide community of peers, individualized mentorship, and exposure to bold creative practitioners working across disciplines.
“With creative work, we often spend so much time wrestling with our projects that we lose sight of the value of our work,” Henley shared. “Receiving recognition from such a prestigious foundation was an incredible honor and a reminder that our work is worthwhile.”
The fellowship will allow Henley to continue exploring the intersection of human-nature relationships through objects—a theme he developed during his time at the School of Design. His main focus will be expanding a project titled Anthropogenic Fossils, a collection of vessels crafted from clay harvested from contaminated land. Beyond that, he sees this year as an opportunity for personal and creative growth, using the time to challenge and refine his craft practice.
Since graduating, Henley has been working with master Japanese woodworker Tadao Arimoto in Pittsburgh, gaining hands-on experience in furniture-making and carpentry. “Arimoto is an excellent teacher and friend who I’ve become proud to call a mentor,” said Henley. Outside of work, he has spent time traveling and exploring Pittsburgh, striking a balance between professional development and personal reflection.
Looking back at his time at CMU, he expressed deep appreciation for the School of Design community. “I will always cherish the connections I made with so many incredible people. I miss the camaraderie of studio and the encounters made in the basement of Porter Hall.”
His design education continues to shape his daily life and creative practice. Rather than being confined to a single discipline, he describes it as a process—a way of seeing the world through problem-solving, pattern recognition, and hands-on craft. “With this education, I see the world differently and have greater agency to understand and alter the world around me,” reflected Henley.
For those considering the School of Design, Henley offers an inspiring perspective.
“Nothing in the world is static—everything is in a constant state of change. The ability to design offers the agency to change the world for the better, with more intention and deeper understanding. While sometimes I feel hopeless about the state of the world, I remind myself that, as a designer, even the smallest contributions to improving the world are enough.”
Henley’s journey from CMU to the SJA Fellowship is a testament to the power of design as a means of exploration, transformation, and impact—both personally and in the broader world.