Alumni
ArtCenter Awards
Honoring Bold Creativity and Vision
Each year, ArtCenter College of Design celebrates outstanding alumni who exemplify the values of innovation, impact, and service. The ArtCenter Awards recognize trailblazers across disciplines whose achievements reflect the power of creative education to shape a better world.
We were proud to honor the recipients of our 2023 and 2024 Alumni Awards during the Alumni Reunion on September 27, 2025. These distinguished alumni were recognized for their exceptional contributions to their fields and communities.
Stay tuned for highlights from the event and stories celebrating this year’s honorees.
Alumni Office
South Campus
1111 S. Arroyo Parkway
Pasadena, CA 91105
Get Directions
626 396-2305
alumni@artcenter.edu
Celebrating Our 2023 and 2024 Alumni Award Winners
Past Award Winners
Lifetime Achievement
Honoring an alum for a lifetime of exceptional professional and creative accomplishments.
- 2007 – Syd Mead BS 1959 (d)
- 2008 – Frank Nuovo BS 1986
- 2009 – Kenji Ekuan BS 1957 (d)
- 2010 – Doyald Young BFA 1955 (d)
- 2011 – Lou Danziger BFA 1948
- 2012 – Bruce Burdick BS 1961 (d)
- 2013 – Gordon Bruce BS 1972
- 2014 – Shiro Nakamura 1981
- 2015 – Drew Struzan BFA 1970
- 2016 – Michael Reese BS 1974
- 2017 – Kit Hinrichs BFA 1963
- 2018 – James Miho 1955 (d)
- 2019 – Doug Aitken BFA 1991
- 2020 – Lee Friedlander 1954
- 2021 – Hiroshi Sugimoto BFA 1974
- 2022 – Bob Gurr BS 52
Distinguished Mid-Career
Celebrating an alum who has made significant and growing impacts in their professional or creative fields. Established in 2019.
- 2019 – Sterling Ruby MFA 2015
- 2020 – Melodie McDaniel BFA 1991
- 2021 – Yves Béhar BS 1991
- 2022 – De Liu MS 15
Young Innovator
Acknowledging a recent alum for notable professional or creative innovation achievements.
- 2007 – Nikolai Cornell MFA 2004
- 2008 – Dustin Arnold BFA 2004
- 2009 – Eric Benjamin Nyquist BFA 2007
- 2010 – Geetika Agrawal MS 2005
- 2011 – Jonathan Jarvis MFA 2009
- 2012 – John Niero BS 2007
- 2013 – Spencer Nikosey BS 2008
- 2014 – Katie Dill BS 2007
- 2015 – Mari Nakano MFA 2010
- 2016 – Jessie Kawata BFA 2011
- 2017 – Jacques Perrault 2014
- 2018 – Kevin Bethune MS 2012
- 2019 – Ini Archibong BS 2012
- 2020 – Parker Kuncl MFA 2009
- 2021 – Mariana Prieto BS 2012
- 2022 – Azeez Alli-Balogun MS 18
Outstanding Service
Recognizing an alum for significant contributions to ArtCenter or impactful humanitarian design.
- 2007 – Ramone Muñoz MFA 1990, BFA 1977
- 2008 – Mikio Osaki BFA 1961
- 2009 – Michael Osborne BFA 1978
- 2010 – Stephanie Sigg MS 1998
- 2011 – Wendy MacNaughton BFA 1999
- 2012 – Gala Narezo BFA 2001
- 2013 – Stan Kong BS 1983
- 2014 – Patrick Kiruki BS 2005
- 2015 – Gary Meyer BFA 1959 (d)
- 2016 – Rob Ball BS 1983
- 2017 – Julian Ryder BFA 1972
- 2018 – Paul Bielenberg BFA 1998 and Jahee Kim Lee MFA 1992, BFA 1990
- 2019 – Gloria Kondrup MFA 1993
- 2020 – Allison Goodman MFA 1995
- 2021 – Bruce Heavin BFA 1993
From Theme Parks to High Schools and Every Household— These Are the Trailblazers Deploying Design to Change the World
ArtCenter Alums Bob Gurr, De Liu and Azeez Alli-Balogun to Receive Alumni Awards
Design Leaders Who Pioneer Innovation and Influence Society Honored by ArtCenter College of Design
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Yves Béhar, Bruce Heavin and Mariana Prieto Receive Alumni Awards for Creating Meaningful Change through Art and Design
The responsibility of creative people is to try and offer less traditional paths of problem solving to those who might benefit from it.
Gala Narezo BFA 01
When you’re truly present, creativity and inspiration can come from so many different places.
Nikolai Cornell MFA 04
