The founder, Tink Adams, vowed to work closely with the leaders of industry to prepare professionals for meaningful careers. This tradition of close industry relationships continues today at the Pasadena campus. Companies such as Ford, Nike, Honda, Sony, Hallmark, and Kodak have decided to sponsor special student research projects at the College.
Students have the opportunity to work with real clients on futuristic and conceptual projects.
In addition to visiting industry guests, the College features a faculty of practicing professionals who reinforce this tradition of real-world influence. Most are part-time faculty members who maintain their own distinctive client lists. Fine arts students have an opportunity to work with some of the most provocative artists and painters working today, such as Mike Kelley, Steve Prina, and Jeremy Gilbert-Rolfe. Art Center acknowledges and encourages the dissolution of boundaries between disciplines, and, although students apply to and study within specific majors, there are opportunities for new kinds of art-making based on digital and other technologies. A common link among students in all majors has become the computer.