Stopping by Art Center at Night’s Open House


Art Center at Night, the College’s continuing studies program, held their biggest event of the year last week—Open House.

“Open House is the perfect opportunity for people to become acquainted with educational opportunities offered by ACN’s nearly 200 innovative courses in art and design,” says Public Programs Managing Director and ACN Director Dana L. Walker.

Held at South Campus, several hundred attended the annual summer event, which gave participants the opportunity to sit in on classes, view student work and speak with faculty members. Among the various classes open to the public were Motion Design 1; Still Life Drawing; Letterpress Printing; Shoes: Fact and Fantasy; and Unplugged: DIY Graphic Design and TEXTure. Class demonstrations, including an Artist Trading Card workshop, were also open to Open House attendees. A prize drawing awarded ACN goodies and the grand prize—a free ACN class—was won by both John Reager of Irvine and Marsekal Tirtadji of Santa Monica.

A wide variety of people attended the event, including current, prospective and past students, parents, ACN faculty and community members. Holly Hofgaarden attended Open House to learn more about ACN and the classes offered. “I want to eventually attend Art Center’s degree program in Graphic Design,” she explained. “I came by Open House to learn more about the ACN courses that they offer in that subject. I want to build my portfolio, and think that I can do this through ACN classes.”

“Open House gives potential students the chance to have a conversation with their potential instructor, which is really nice,” says ACN instructor and Art Center alumnus Ronald J. Llanos. “Also important is the fact that they can see the physical work that comes out of the classes, especially in classes like mine, Composition and Painting and Introduction to Figure Drawing. I think it helps potential students get the vibe of the class they’re considering, and what to expect.”

Tony Luna has been an Art Center instructor since 1985, teaching in both the degree and Public Programs. Luna teaches three popular ACN classes: Crafting a Meaningful Career: Parts One, Two and Three. The courses aim to help creatives rediscover their passion, examine the interconnection of their personal and work histories, and analyze their creative strengths and weaknesses.

“There is nothing like having the opportunity to sharing your enthusiasm for ACN classes face-to-face with prospective students,” says Luna. “In these uncertain economic times, it is refreshing to offer classes which help the students to rediscover their potential get back to what is important to them in their careers. Open House provides that interface and gives hope to those who want to do more with their lives and livelihoods.”

It’s not too late to sign up for the Fall 2010 term of ACN. Classes begin September 13—find out more about ACN, and register for Fall classes today.

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Alumna Laura Crawford Talks Art Center

Co-founder and creative director of Goodkin, Media Design alumna Laura Crawford received her MFA from Art Center in 2005. An entrepreneur, educator and creative director, Crawford’s experience in trans-media design disciplines and unique creative passions allow her to push the new evolution of technology, physical space and interaction design to find new incarnations of engagement.

In the video below, Crawford discusses her time at Art Center and some of the most valuable lessons learned here:

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Reflecting Back at 80: Sponsored Projects

Guest post by Art Center Archivist Robert Dirig

It’s Week 14, which means that students across campus are finishing up final projects, participating in final critiques, and preparing for Graduation as the term’s sponsored projects are coming to a close.

Sponsored projects, giving “real world” design problems to students, have been a hallmark of the College curriculum for years. But did you know that Art Center’s history with sponsored projects goes back to 1960? It was in that year that students took part in a space capsule project sponsored by General Electric. George Beck, manager of industrial design at G.E.’s Light Military Electronics Department, approached Art Center with the idea for students to design a space capsule and interior computer, providing for the most efficient relation between the computer and the pilot.

Take a look at great photos from the project below.

Visit the College Archives, and check out the Archives Facebook page, to learn more about Art Center’s history.


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Meet Annis Naeem

What’s the most important life lesson that Entertainment Design student Annis Naeem has learned while at Art Center? It’s a pretty simple one—to share.

“Don’t hide what you create from your peers and the world because you are afraid of your idea being stolen,” explains Naeem. “If you do, you will never have the chance to hear someone else’s criticism, input and thoughts on the matter—and that might help improve your original idea.”

Read more about Annis and his Art Center experience at in this great interview.

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Something Made Up This Way Comes

Ah, summer, that time of year when research-led design turns to rocket scientists, parking lots, quantum physics and the formation of cults.

Daniel Salomon, Ingrid Hora and MDP students at a desert shoot for their "Suspension of Disbelief" project

These summer days have been far from lazy for Art Center’s Graduate Media Design Program (MDP), whose students, faculty and researchers-in-residence have been knee-deep in off-kilter research projects for the past 13 weeks. Their findings will be unveiled at “In/Conclusions: Results from the MDP Research Residencies,” tomorrow, Wednesday, August 18 at 1:30 pm in the Wind Tunnel Gallery (RSVP here).

“In/Conclusions” is just one of several events surrounding a newly-launched bi-annual program designed to identify and explore ideas that emerge from recent MDP faculty and student work. A related exhibition, Made Up, and panels, screenings and readings are also scheduled for the fall and spring, and all the activities will be captured in a publication released in Summer 2011.

For its inaugural year, MDP chose the theme Made Up, which it describes as a consideration of “the relevance of speculation, role playing, idealism, skepticism, and simple lying as instruments or objects of the design process.” This year’s researchers-in-residence—Sascha Pohflepp and duo Ingrid Hora and Daniel Salomon—were chosen by a jury made up of MDP faculty Sean Donahue and Ben Hooker; Fiona Raby, principal of design practice Dunne & Raby; and science-fiction author, WIRED columnist and former Art Center Visionary-in-Residence Bruce Sterling.

Continue reading →

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Schureman Posthumously Awarded Honorary Degree

Beloved Art Center alumnus and faculty member Norman Schureman will be posthumously awarded an honorary degree at Saturday’s Graduation ceremony.

Schureman earned his degree in Industrial Design from Art Center in 1985, going on to teach at the College for more than 20 years until his tragic death in March. He was a beloved instructor, colleague, mentor and friend to hundreds of Art Center students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends.

“The presentation of an honorary doctorate is a fitting tribute to Norm for his immeasurable contributions to the College,” said College President Lorne Buchman. Giving the address in Schureman’s honor will be alumnus Joshua Nakaya PROD ’09 and C. Martin Smith, industrial design chair and professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and former Chair of product design at Art Center.

Schureman’s relationship with Art Center began almost 40 years ago when his father, Bob, taught Industrial Design classes and a young Norm would tag along to campus. Years later, Norm returned to Art Center as a student, graduating in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Product Design. Schureman began teaching at Art Center in 1992, first at the College’s European campus and then in Pasadena.

Following his death, the College established the Norman Schureman Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will be available to incoming Product Design students.

Karen Hofmann, Chair of Product Design at Art Center College of Design, said, “Norm was a friend and mentor and a source of inspiration both inside and outside of the classroom. He made students feel that they could change the world and this scholarship is a way to ensure his legacy continues.”

Individuals interested in making donations to the Scholarship can donate online or contact Senior Development Officer Palencia Turner at 626.396.2366.

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The Art Center Summit 2010: Projects and Partnerships in Sustainable Design

The theme of this year’s Summit, Projects and Partnerships in Sustainable Design, will highlight Art Center’s association with the Opportunity Green Business Conference, taking place September 22—24 at L.A. Center Studios. The conference, developed alongside Art Center’s Sustainability Summits, seeks to innovate, collaborate and inspire industry leaders and the next generation of thought leaders, and to develop and implement sustainable business solutions.

In 2007, Art Center successfully launched and hosted a series of annual Summits bringing international leaders and experts in topics related to sustainability and mobility to the College.

Envisioned as a five-year program, three Summits have taken a critical look at environmental, social and economic issues surrounding sustainability, and supported the College’s desire to integrate sustainability into the curriculum.

We’ll bring you more information about the Summit soon; for more on Opportunity Green, including the schedule of events and speaker line-up, visit opportunitygreen.com. For more information about the Art Center Summit series, email artcentersummit@artcenter.edu.

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Get Ready: It’s Week 14

Art Center, it’s Week 14, and you know what that means—a busy week culminating in Graduation on Saturday. Rest up and prepare for:

  • Wednesday, August 18, 7 pm: Art Center at Night Open House (South Campus)
  • Thursday, August 19, 5 pm: Graduation Show Preview (invitation only)
  • Saturday, August 21, 2:30 pm: Faculty Reception (faculty, special guests and College leadership)
  • Saturday, August 21, 4 pm: Spring Term Graduation (Hillside Campus, and webcast live)
  • Saturday, August 21, 6 pm: Graduation Show (Hillside Campus)

It’s going to be a jam-packed week. Don’t worry—there’s still time to sneak in a nap before the fun begins!

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