Category Archives: Transportation Design

Forward Motion is Almost Here!

Forward Motion: Advancing Mobility in California & Québec is tomorrow! It’s not too late to register for this one-of-a-kind event examining the impact on vehicle and infrastructure design in California and Québec.

Jean J. Labbé, world-renowned transportation designer and Art Center alumnus, will present the keynote presentation, How Design Is Shaping Public Transportation. A leading authority in public transportation design, Labbé has a solid track record of more than 40 projects in the public transportation sector including the U.S.’s first high-speed train, the ACELA Express; New York’s high-tech subway cars; Vancouver’s Skytrain; China’s CRH1 high-speed train and Montreal‘s new generation subway cars.

Exciting panel discussions will examine new technologies and advanced materials driving North America forward, and the future of electric vehicles, urban transit systems and the infrastructure required. Panelists include:

  • Sylvain Castonguay, general director for Quebec’s Centre National du Transport Avancé (CNTA)
  • Renaud Cloutier, vice president of business development at TM4
  • Ed Kjaer , director of Southern California Edison’s Plug-In Electric Vehicle Readiness program
  • Catherine Morency, civil engineer and associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering and Mining at Montreal’s École Polytechnique
  • Simon Pastucha, principal designer for the City of Los Angeles Urban Design Studio
  • Pierre Rondeau, director of product design for Advanced Concepts and Design Services at Bombardier Recreational Products
  • Chelsea Sexton, clean transportation and energy advocate; consulting producer, Revenge of the Electric Car

A networking reception and keynote luncheon will also be part of the event. Don’t be left out—secure your spot today.

Forward Motion: Advancing Mobility in California & Québec
Wednesday, September 21
Art Center College of Design Hillside Campus

Kicking Things Off With Kickstarter


Transportation Design alum Gabriel Wartofsky has started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to build his lightweight, compact, folding electric bike for commuters. (Plans are to launch his Conscious Commuter at Art Center later this year.) So far, backers have pledged $17,045 of his $25,000 goal needed to bring his bike to market. (The deadline to pledge is Sept. 29.) KCET just ran a story on Wartofsky—be sure to check it out.

Another project is currently on Kickstarter, this one created by a group of Art Center students for a class project. They are looking for funding to help them film and produce a short film inspired by an epic DC Comics vignette. The six-day shoot will take place throughout Pasadena with sets built from scratch at Art Center. Students leading the project are Domenic Moen (writer/director), Stephen Reedy (editor), Chris Saul (cinematographer) and Jake Viramontez (producer).

Check them out:

Save the Date: Car Classic ’11

Photo by Lara Warren

Join top vehicle designers, automotive companies, collectors and enthusiasts as Art Center explores the continuing global influence Southern California has on transportation design at Car Classic ’11.

With more than 20 advanced automotive design studios located here, as well as companies leading the charge in new mobility and alternative energy, SoCal continues to shape the how, what and where of mobility on a tremendous scale.

This year, as Art Center begins expanding its curriculum to further impact the evolution of the automotive industry and the broader field of transportation, we look at the innovative cars, bikes, planes, boats, materials and design tools influenced by our boundless culture.

Tickets are now on sale. Don’t miss it!

Car Classic ’11: California Design: Influencing Change
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Art Center College of Design Hillside Campus

Alum Faculty on the Future of Painting

Transportation Design alumnus and Illustration Department faculty member Nick Pugh recently gave a wonderful talk at TEDx in Long Beach on the future of painting. Pugh’s work in the entertainment industry focuses on the development and realization of new projects, created in collaboration with producers, directors and studios. Since graduating from Art Center College in 1990, Pugh has also worked closely with visual effects studio Rhythm and Hues on numerous feature films, commercials and video games. He teaches Originality in Design and Digital Landscape Painting at Art Center, and will launch a new class in the fall on developing and pitching movie ideas.

Check out Pugh’s talk below.

In Case You Missed It

As you know, there’s always something going on when it comes to Art Center alumni, students and faculty.

  • Cardwell Jimmerson show of work by Art Center alum and former faculty member Vincent Robbins—on display through Sept. 3— is another of the gallery’s great exercises in expansionist art history. L.A. Times Culture Monster

    Work by Vincent Robbins

  • Late Art Center alum and faculty member John Altoon will have works on display at Garboushian Gallery exhibit celebrating Armenian contemporary artists. Asbarez Post
  • Transportation Design alumnus Gabriel Wartofsky begins Kickstarter campaign for folding e-bike. Sustainable Business Oregon
  • Art Center partner, Bernhardt Design president Jerry Helling, talks about working with Art Center students to design furniture. New York Times
  • Alumna and faculty member Diana Thater’s Peonies, a nine-monitor videowall, now on view at the Wexner Center. Artdaily.org
  • Art Center’s “Visionary in Residence” Bruce Sterling creates his own augmented reality. Wired

One Month Until Forward Motion

Forward Motion: Advancing Mobility in California & Québec is just under a month away!

This half-day symposium, organized by Art Center College of Design and the Québec Delegation in Los Angeles in partnership with the Université de Montréal, will examine the impact on vehicle and infrastructure design in light of the roadmaps laid out by each particular region. Expert panelists will compare and contrast Québec and California’s initiatives for the promotion of electric vehicles and public transit, highlighting the new technologies and advanced materials rapidly driving North America forward.

Just announced: Jean J. Labbé, world-renowned transportation designer, will present the keynote presentation, How Design Is Shaping Public Transportation.

With a solid track record of over 40 projects in the public transportation sector including the U.S.’s first high-speed train, the ACELA Express; New York’s high-tech subway cars; Vancouver’s Skytrain; China’s CRH1 high-speed train and Montreal‘s new generation subway cars, Labbé is globally recognized as a leading authority in public transportation design

Registration is now open for this one-of-a-kind event. Space for the keynote luncheon is limited, so secure your spot today!

Pagani Huayra Unveiled at Art Center

Photo from Automotive Magazine

The amazing Pagani Huayra made its North American debut yesterday at Art Center. Horacio Pagani himself was on hand to introduce the $1.2 million supercar to the Art Center community and journalists.

From Automobile Magazine:

What really gets me about the Pagani Huayra are the leaf-like side mirrors, glancing away from the bodywork like errant shots on goal. These flourishes are within the European artistic tradition, bringing to mind Picasso’s crazy faces or Modigliani’s stretched women. When everybody else is trying to make mirrors disappear for aerodynamic purposes, replacing them with rear-facing video cameras, Horacio Pagani, a short guy with a great head of silver hair and a penchant for quoting Leonardo da Vinci, comes along and sticks out mirrors so they can cleanse California hillsides of skateboarders.

We’ll be bringing you more on the vehicle and an interview with Pagani soon; in the meantime check out the following links:

And check out the video below featuring Pagani and Transportation Design Chair Stewart Reed:

    Register Today for Forward Motion


    Forward Motion: Advancing Mobility in California & Québec     is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to hear leaders discuss the future of sustainable transportation.

    Registration is now open for this half-day symposium examining the impact on vehicle and infrastructure design in California and Québec.

    Expert panelists will compare and contrast Québec and California’s initiatives for the promotion of electric vehicles and public transit, and examine the new technologies and advanced materials that are rapidly driving North America forward. The panels will include discussions on the future of electric vehicles, urban transit systems and the required infrastructure. A networking reception and keynote luncheon will also be part of the event. Space is limited, so secure your spot today.

    Forward Motion: Advancing Mobility in California & Québec
    September 21
    Art Center College of Design
    Hillside Campus

    In Case You Missed It

    Photo by Eric Curry

    As you know, there’s always something going on when it comes to Art Center alumni, students and faculty.

    Some of the latest: