ArtCenter Design Invitational - The Future

No school holds a monopoly on the education of automotive design talent. Yet, the epicenter of the car design world could be considered Pasadena, California. As the birth of car styling can be largely attributed to Harley Earl and his early work for Hollywood at his family’s Downtown LA facility, perhaps it should be no surprise that ArtCenter is located just over a dozen miles from that very spot. To put it mildly, the automotive design industry has deep roots in this corner of Southern California. Equally important, ArtCenter is still making history today.

Article and images © John Grafman

“With a legacy stretching back over eight decades, its Transportation Design program has consistently shaped the future of mobility—producing visionary designers behind some of the most iconic vehicles across all modalities of transportation,” states Marek Djordjević – ArtCenter Chairman of Transportation Design. “ArtCenter alumni hold influential roles at major automotive manufacturers, design consultancies, and innovation labs around the world, underscoring the school’s unparalleled impact on the global design landscape.”

The ArtCenter Chairman, alumni and former Chief Exterior Designer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues, “Beyond transportation, ArtCenter fosters a multidisciplinary approach that merges creativity with cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and human-centered thinking. This holistic philosophy is evident in the diverse range of vehicles showcased at the ArtCenter Design Invitational, including alumni-designed models and winners of ArtCenter’s 2024 Design Excellence awards from The Quail and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.” The award winners are the 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale and the 1956 Maserati A6G Zagato respectively. Both attract appreciative smiles while parked on the green.

On this overcast, late September day, the hillside campus is dotted with production cars, concepts, and one-offs. All of the cars are fine, often flawless examples of each respective model. However, not all of these are the types of cars that would otherwise garner attention or even be displayed at a car show. Heck, a few would just be very nice examples of average cars at any humble Cars and Coffee gathering. So, what gives?

Even cars that are not currently ‘hot’ items still had sizzle back in the day. And, there are a few, like the Pontiac Solstice, that were affordably entertaining but not much more. Similarly, the Mini Cooper had a loyal following, but sales didn’t truly represent the love for this re-born coupe when it came to market in the early 2000s, as a small, sporty, two-door hatchback isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But for some owners, these were (and still are) absolutely fantastic, stylish cars that also had a healthy dose of the fun to drive element.

These were launching pads for talented designers. In the case of the Solstice, this was an early effort of Franz von Holzhausen. Today, he’s the Senior Design Executive at Tesla Motors, and his touch dates back to the debut of the Model S. The Mini was the was a steppingstone in the career of Frank Stephenson. Stephenson hopped to the top design position at Fiat/Ferrari, and then onwards to head design at McLaren Automotive. The accomplishments of both of these talented designers and leaders are not unusual stories as it relates to ArtCenter alumni.

This is why the annual ArtCenter Design Invitational (formerly the Car Classic) is such an important event. This is a homecoming not just because the cars on the green are by-products of the school, but the creative minds that brought these to life are also in attendance. It’s a chance for mere mortals to honor those that have made all of our lives worth living, or at least a bit more pleasurable and exciting.

“The event not only celebrates automotive artistry and innovation but also reflects ArtCenter’s enduring influence on design culture—where beauty, functionality, and future-forward thinking converge,” according to Djordjević.

While the transportation department has moved from the hillside campus to the south campus, ArtCenter is still churning out graduates that makes this school a legend and continues to make Southern California a hot spot for cars. A display from Made Light Wheels, designed by alumnus Jake Kaufman featuring a 2017 Aston Martin DB11 Launch Edition, provides a hint at what a bit of imagination can lead to. Along those lines is the striking bare metal MarCel Roadster designed by Chip Foose and brought to life by Luc De Ley of Marcel’s Custom Metal in Norco, CA.

Besides the alumni designed cars, dotting the campus grounds at the Design Invitational are others that are just as praiseworthy. One can’t help but notice the striking 1951 Ford Coupe known as the “Wicked Shoebox”. This resto- mod is as nice as they come and has fantastic details to match.

While Frank Stephenson and Franz von Holzhausen are two outstanding examples, ArtCenter had dozens of vehicles that can be attributed to the talented alumni.

Marek puts it best, “ArtCenter College of Design holds a singular position in the world of transportation design, long regarded as the leading incubator for the industry’s top talent.”