Introduction

The Designmatters educational platform at ArtCenter College of Design joins collaboration with experimentation, experience with reflection, problem-solving with problem-discovery, and purpose with action.

Our Mission

Through research, advocacy and action, Designmatters engages, empowers and leads an ongoing exploration of art and design as a positive force in society.

Igniting Local Change: LGBTQ+ Advocacy for Health Justice

 

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Designing Advocacy: Arts Education + Graphic Design Implementation

 

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Mobile Detection: California’s First Lung Cancer Screening Van

 

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“The two-week experience on the ground in Chile was instrumental. We all felt the same thing; we all saw and experienced the same realities together. We all lived the same moments. And that really helped us later as a design team, as we related our ideas and concepts back to our shared experience.”

Andres Zavala, Student, Environmental Design

Never Again 9066: Artists and Designers Against Asian Violence

 

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It Is That Deep: Thoughts on Teaching

 

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“I have been impressed with our student’s ability to create thoughtful design narratives, that can literally change the trajectory of people’s lives, whether it’s on a humanitarian level, or emotional, psychological level.”

James Meraz, Environmental Design Faculty

Safe Niños: Holistic Healing Environments at Concepcíon Campus

 

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A GOOD STOPPING POINT: SMOKING CESSATION CAMPAIGNS FOR LGBTQIA+

 

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Safe Niños: Games, Stories, and Animations to prevent Childhood Burns

 

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DESIGNMATTERS MINOR IN SOCIAL INNOVATION

A transcripted course of study for ArtCenter undergraduate students in social innovation

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FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

ArtCenter students are embedded in host organizations for one full 14-week academic term to work on high-level projects.

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Graduation and Grad Show: Summer 2024

Saturday, August 17

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“Innovation is deliberate. It’s about solving problems without creating new ones. To innovate is to enable one to share our natural empathy and be able to allow others a new means for expression. Innovation is something humans and other creatures have been doing forever, be it by instinct or experimentation. We innovate to survive and to create positive solutions to simplify and better our lives.”

Mari Nakano, Grad Media Design '09, Visual Design Lead, UNICEF Innovation Unit