Talented artists are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing educational institutions in the USA. Yet, some schools stand out from the crowd, offering unique features and experiences worth noting. One such institution is ArtCenter College of Design, located in Pasadena, California. Read on to learn more about it.

About ArtCenter College of Design

Meet ArtCenter College of Design, or simply ArtCenter. Founded in 1930 as a degree-granting institution, this art hub represents a private, nonprofit art and design college focused on professional, industry-aligned education. It operates through two main campuses – the Hillside Campus and the South Campus. The college is WSCUC-accredited and recognized by major art and design institutions, such as NASAD and CHEA.

Unique Highlights of the College

The first thing a visitor understands about ArtCenter in Pasadena is that it not only teaches art; it is an artwork itself. Many people recognize that the campus was built like a design manifesto, with its Hillside Campus representing a modernist steel-and-glass building created by Craig Ellwood Associates. It is widely regarded as the city’s local historic landmark, with architecture and intentional design working in perfect tandem with the school’s identity.

One interesting fact about ArtCenter is that it’s an educational leader in the field of transportation design. Many of its alumni became notable figures in the automotive design industry. Creatives with futuristic automotive concepts include Syd Mead, Christopher Bangle, and Franz von Holzhausen. That’s why this college is often associated with mobility innovation in the international scene.

ArtCenter’s Sponsored Projects

The title of an industry-aligned educational institution doesn’t come out of the blue, with ArtCenter nurturing many partnerships with existing businesses through its Sponsored Projects program. This creative lab allows students to collaborate with businesses and solve practical, time-constrained problems. This way, the college gives students hands-on experience during education, equipping them with practical skills that go beyond theory and classroom work. Students can apply for participation in short DesignStorms projects or join 14-week design studios to hone their problem-solving skills and network with businesses of interest.

Social Innovation at the Heart of ArtCenter’s Activities

ArtCenter’s Designmatters program is a unique social impact track of the educational institution. It pairs social innovation and project-based courses that help students with an activist mindset develop a vital skillset for research, advocacy, and action through design. This aspect complements the center’s strong industry pipelines by giving it a tangible social impact dimension.