Kevin Jones, a Virginia Tech alum, has joined the Virginia Tech Honors College faculty as a Professor of Practice in Collaborative Discovery.

Jones exemplifies the spirit of multidisciplinary innovation, having a unique blend of design, marketing, athletics, and entrepreneurship expertise. With his diverse background and dynamic approach to teaching, he aims to inspire students to become the next generation of thinkers and doers who can seamlessly integrate and navigate various disciplines in their professional and personal lives.

Blacksburg Roots

Jones's relationship with Virginia Tech runs deep. His initial connection with the university began when he made headlines as an All-American running back, a feat that eventually led to a seven-year career in the NFL. He attributes his resilience and ability to adapt to different challenges to this phase of his life.

Following his successful NFL career, Jones returned to Blacksburg to continue his education, earning both an MBA and a B.A. in Industrial Design. He is working towards a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech, focusing on merging tropes like multi-diverse practices, hyper-experiential products and spaces with a focus on design thinking methodology. This fusion of fields has laid a solid foundation for his future endeavors, where he aims to bring a unique perspective to the intersection of design, creative industries, and education.

Joba Studio: Where Design Meets Innovation

As the founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Joba Studio, Jones has positioned his firm at the forefront of innovative design. While founded and operated in Blacksburg, Joba Studio’s portfolio is as diverse as it is impressive, ranging from ergonomic baby utensils to cutting-edge drone bodies and fashion items. Each project underscores the power of Transdisciplinarity in practice, emphasizing the importance of blending what he calls the big four: functionality, aesthetics, experience, and sustainability.

“I believe that design has the power to shape and enhance the human experience. Joba Studio has become a beacon of what can be achieved when creative vision meets practical application, constantly pushing the boundaries in business design and education,” Jones said.

HUE+MAN Centered Design: A Movement for Change

Jones’s impact on the design world extends far beyond the walls of his studio. Through the HUE+MAN design competition, which he created in collaboration with USM Furniture, Jones addresses systemic racism in the design industry. The traveling installation, a 2022 Indigo Design Award Gold Winner, utilizes USM's modular framework and a spectrum of semi-transparent panels to amplify the stories of creatives of color.  This competition is more than just an opportunity for creatives of color; it’s a platform to combat systemic inequities by spotlighting marginalized voices. Nor is the initiative just about design; it's a movement aimed at providing resources, opportunities, and visibility to those often overlooked in the industry.

The HUE+MAN project is a prime example of how design can be used as a tool for social change, aligning perfectly with Jones’s broader philosophy of creating meaningful impact through his work.

A Philosophy Rooted in Empathy and Collaboration

Jones's teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that true innovation comes from the collaboration of diverse perspectives.

"My teaching philosophy intertwines design, history, architecture, and sports, advocating for authentic, empathetic collaboration. I’m not just an educator but a catalyst for change," says Jones.

His approach to education focuses on fostering an environment of inclusivity and empathy. By encouraging students to engage with different perspectives and experiences, Jones prepares them to tackle complex global challenges with a holistic and collaborative mindset.

The Next Play:  Gamechangers Studio

Kevin Jones’s journey at Virginia Tech is far from traditional, and his latest initiative is no exception. Enter Gamechangers: Design for Impact, an honors studio course that takes everything Jones believes about design, teamwork, and social impact and transforms it into a dynamic learning experience.

This isn’t just another course—it’s the next evolution of his mission to bridge disciplines and empower students to think beyond the obvious. Gamechangers Studio brings together thinkers, creators, and disruptors from across campus to explore how sports can become a vehicle for real social change. With themes like teamwork, culture, and purpose at its core, the studio challenges students to prototype and build solutions that push boundaries and shift narratives.

“Gamechangers Studio is where ideas meet action,” says Jones. “It’s not just about what you design—it’s about the team you build and the impact you make together.”

By the end of the semester, students will have created projects that redefine the fusion of sports, design, and culture, work that doesn’t just sit in a portfolio but makes real moves in the community. Jones continues to prove with this studio that collaboration, creativity, and empathy are the real game-changers in design and life.

Jones is doing more than teaching in his role at the Honors College. He’s reimagining collaborative creativity, creating spaces where students don’t just learn—they lead. With Gamechangers Studio, he aims to build a legacy that will inspire the next generation to see the world and themselves differently.

As Jones continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in design and education, he remains committed to his practice-based Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture. His research is deeply intertwined with his professional practice, exploring innovative approaches that merge theory with real-world applications in design. Through his work at Virginia Tech and beyond, Jones is set to leave a lasting impact on both his students and the broader field of design, constantly challenging the status quo and advocating for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to problem-solving.