The College has launched a great new project with Corbis Images—Always On: Talks By Leaders in Art and Design. This new initiative makes videos of presentations and panel discussions by experts in art and design available for free to anyone, anywhere, anytime at our new Always On website. Produced by Art Center and supported by Corbis, Always On aims to support the creative community in personal and professional development by creating a global platform for art and design leaders to share insights and discuss trends.

Throughout 2011, Corbis is contributing one dollar to the initiative for each order customers make online at corbisimages.com, with funds going to help Art Center produce more video presentations. With the worlds of art and design changing at the speed of light in the digital era, the goal of Always On is to provide the creative community with 24/7/365 online access to the latest perspectives from luminaries in art and design.

The partnership between Art Center and Corbis Images was initiated by legendary designer Kit Hinrichs, an Art Center alumnus and member of the College’s Board of Trustees. As principal of the design firm Studio Hinrichs, he worked with Corbis Images on its 24/7/365 digital and print calendar campaign to showcase the exceptional images in the Corbis Images collection.

As Hinrichs reviewed Corbis Images’ library of images—including photography, fine art, illustration and film—he saw an immediate connection with Art Center, which offers majors in these fields as well as many other creative disciplines. Building on the theme developed with Corbis Images, AlwaysOn seeks to provide the creative community with 24/7/365 online access to the latest perspectives in art and design as shared by the College’s renowned faculty and guest speakers.

Always On will feature both renowned members of Art Center’s faculty and guest speakers from around the world. The first video features associate professor Heidrun Mumper-Drumm, Art Center’s director of sustainability initiatives, who introduces key aspects of Comprehensive Design in a fun and engaging exercise.

Upcoming speakers include designer Fiona Raby of Dunne + Raby, visionary sci-fi author Bruce Sterling, media artist Aaron Koblin, visual strategist Dan Goods, futures researcher Jason Tester, architecture blogger Geoff Manaugh, landscape artist Andrew Hem and fine artist Sarah Awad. They will discuss topics that address current and future trends in art and design, such as the practice of making things up in a rapidly changing world; the use of communication design across space, time and behavior; and establishing an original voice and point of view as an illustrator.

The videos are also available on our YouTube and Vimeo pages. Enjoy our first video below, and be sure to visit the new Always On site.