Matt Woolman

About Matt Woolman

With over 25 years of experience operating at the intersection of design and technology, I thrive on crossthinking—connecting ideas, disciplines, and industries to drive innovation and growth. Efficiency-minded and action-oriented, I bring a balance of creative and analytical problem-solving, lateral and systems thinking, and an empathetic, collaborative, and agile approach to every challenge. My passion lies in learner experience design, education technology, and product/service innovation—fields where crossthinking has been the key to unlocking new opportunities.As the Founder and CEO of CrossThink Ventures, Inc, I lead our mission to acquire and invest in companies that align with our vision for legacy businesses—stable, evergreen operations with strong upside potential. We apply crossthinking to drive growth through operational efficiencies, deep customer relationships, and strategic product/service innovation.Before founding CrossThink Ventures, I launched and led the Center for the Creative Economy (CCE) at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts. This innovative enterprise education model merged creative disciplines with technology, engaging over students annually through dynamic research and cross-industry collaborations. Under my leadership, the CCE’s programs, industry partnerships, and research projects generated over in annual revenue—a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking in higher education.Earlier in my career, I spent a decade as a publisher and book producer, authoring, co-authoring, and designing over a dozen books, including the internationally best-selling Type in Motion: Innovations in Digital Graphics. My work explored topics ranging from motion design and music to visual arts and information visualization—all driven by a deep curiosity for how ideas intersect across fields. My writings and projects have been published internationally, exhibited worldwide, and recognized by PRINT Magazine, AIGA, and the Art Directors Club.Academically, I was tenured as a professor in Graphic Design and served as department chair for six years, where I helped elevate the MFA in Design/Visual Communication to a #4 specialty ranking in U.S. News & World Report. Throughout my time at VCU, I embraced leadership roles that fostered innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.In 2024, I was honored with the title of Distinguished Career Professor and continue to share my knowledge through workshops and courses.

Experience

1. President CEO

   Im Manufacturing Corporation

   Jan 2024 — Present · Richmond, VA, US

   We make a strap for that.We specialize in manufacturing a wide range of narrow fabric products for medical, military/tactical, apparel, outdoor/athletic, and industrial applications.With a commitment to innovation and rigorous quality control, we deliver reliable, tailored solutions with a diverse selection of materials, including elastic, durable nylon, polyester, and custom webbing, ensuring that we meet the needs of every client. Our dedicated team brings years of expertise to every step of the process, providing excellence in every product we manufacture.

Education

• Oberlin College

  BA

• Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts

  MFA

• Virginia Commonwealth University - School of Business

  MBA

Skills

• Typography
• Corporate Identity
• Interaction Design
• Illustration
• Indesign
• Graphic Design
• Branding & Identity
• Creative Direction
• Art Direction
• Web Design
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Information Architecture
• Logo Design