BusinessWeek contributing editor Bruce Nussbaum predicts what trends will shape innovation and economic growth over the coming decade. He believes the ’10s will be exciting—and rough.
Check out the interesting read at BusinessWeek: 5 Forecasts and 7 Predictions For 2010-2020 That Shape Innovation and Economic Growth
January brings a new year and new resolutions. Why not resolve to put more art into your year? 
You’re in luck—January is full of arts events in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Art Month is an open invitation for Angelenos and guests to our city to discover our arts and cultural offerings. The endeavor is a collaboration between local arts organizations, arts and civic leaders, artists, philanthropists, and committed public and private partners.
In 2010, Art Center celebrates 80 years of excellence in art and design education. We hope you’ll join us for the yearlong celebration, including the inauguration of our new president, Dr. Lorne M. Buchman on April 22.
Our campus and administrative offices will be closed Dec. 18 through Jan. 3. Happy Holidays!
Says Johana: “Through a redesign that exudes a natural charm and confidence, Seventh Generation offers consumers a promise of liberation from the burdens associated with mundane household tasks. In addition, the package design utilizes sustainable materials, while maintaining a hygienic appeal, ensuring a product that users can trust to be safe for both the environment and the body.”
Good work, Johana!
The design mind On Air blog has a new podcast of an interview with Art Center’s Phil van Allen, Graduate Media Design professor and director of the New Ecology of Things Lab.
Chris Sallquist writes: “Van Allen suggests that innovation not only means meeting customer needs by cultivating ideas, but he translates the activity of innovating to actually inventing things and new medias. Van Allen also stresses that holding an actual tangible object inspires and enables designers to ‘re-think the whole communication process.’”
Check it out: The New Ecology of Things
Fisker’s Karma is the first luxury plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and the first vehicle released by Fisker Automotive. The Times says it can go from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds. Not bad for a gas-electric hybrid.
“Fisker is known for designs that are fresh as well as classic. “He can do something new and contemporary—but do it with an echo of the brand legacy,” said Stewart Reed, chairman of the transportation design department at the Art Center College of Design. “He understands the importance of proportion and architecture. But he also understands that design, at the end of the day, is a business tool.”
Read more: Henrik Fisker’s cars roar into the future
Product Design student Bryce Butcher says that she first set her sights on attending Art Center while in elementary school.
“After experiencing what other colleges were like, the professionalism and level of work done by the students at Art Center surpassed anything I could compare it to. I knew that if I wanted to be a successful professional in Product Design, I had to attend Art Center.”
Read more about Bryce’s experiences growing as a designer, favorite projects and visiting the student gallery as a child with her grandmother in this great interview.
Art Center was one of five recipients awarded the 2009 Outstanding Recycler Award by the City of Pasadena. The award was presented by Mayor Bill Bogard and Director of Public Works Martin Pastucha at Monday’s City Council Meeting. Art Center was recognized for “outstanding environmental stewardship and commitment to reducing waste and preserving natural resources.”
The award is due in large part to the ongoing efforts of EcoCouncil, a student led group that promotes awareness of and designs solutions related to issues of sustainability across campus. EcoCouncil is supported by Heidrun Mumper-Drumm, Director, Sustainability Initiatives; and Linda Estrada, Manager of Transportation and Sustainability, who work closely with EcoCouncil to help them achieve their goals.
Four other organizations were announced as Outstanding Recyclers with Art Center receiving the Overall Recycler of the Year for 2009. Congratulations also go to Sequoyah School, Saint Philip the Apostle School, Waste Less Living and Interior Removal Specialists, Inc.
The Pasadena Star-News has a nice write-up: Pasadena’s top recyclers recognized
Art Center alumnus and former Chief Academic Officer Nate Young wants to bring together creative right brain thinkers and data-driven, left-brain thinkers to create better corporations.His newest venture is the creation of NewNorth Center for Design in Business, a hybrid education and business-training center that will specialize in design and innovation courses along with research and executive education. The nonprofit will be headquartered in Holland, Mich., with additional training centers in Grand Rapids and possibly Detroit.
Michigan Live has a story on Nate and his exciting new venture. Check it out: Entrepreneur plans to headquarter nonprofit NewNorth Center in Holland