Over 20 years ago, when we moved from Israel to Los Angeles, I knew I wanted to go to school to study some form of design. Someone told me about Art Center so I went and paid a visit. I met with an admissions counselor to see what was involved. As soon as he heard that I was the mother of three young children, he gently suggested I find some other way to satisfy my design needs. He was 100% correct, Art Center College of Design is a very demanding, time consuming school. I went to FIDM instead and studied Textile design.
I have great respect for this college. I have since met people who did study here (younger, single- no children), this college produces some of the best designers around in many fields.
The location itself is breathtaking. The original campus is up in the Hills of Pasadena with this spectacular view.
The original building is one very long rectangle that forms a bridge over the road.
Very industrial looking facade. There is an additional campus in an adaptive reuse of a building in downtown Pasadena.
Automotive design. They are probably best known for being THE PLACE to study automotive design. Many of the cars or features on cars we see all around us come from here.
Illustration, product design – all are studied in depth here.
Here is my favorite student project on display.
From the course, Packaging one. Karen Davison and Jibum Jung set out to create a Starter knitting kit for men. They note correctly that men have always knitted, but since WWII it had become a woman’s pastime. In order to reintroduce men to this wonderful craft, the kit resembles an old fashioned camping or fishing kit. Of course one finds yarn, needles and instructions, but to round it all out – accompany the tools with beer and an old fashioned bottle opener.
Unfortunately, no one has picked up on actually creating this company.
Final note, a student car in the parking lot. License plate says it all.
Leah
I didn’t know you went to FIDM, how cool! Did you enjoy the classes there?
Dang, that knitting kit looks awesome. I kind of want it for myself haha. I hope someone produces it!
FIDM was interesting, I had some very good classes and some mediocre ones. I tell people these days that if they are going to go work in the garment industry – get a degree from Los Angeles Trade tech – much less expensive and much more realistic as far as what working in the industry is like. Or go get a 4 year degree so when you burn out of the industry you can easily move on.
Larry graduated from Art Center. The campus was located on 3rd St. in Hancock Park in those days. He finished his last year on the Pasadena campus. It’s a wonderful school with excellent student art exhibitions!
That explains why Larry is such a great guy.