2026 Design Invitational
Explore groundbreaking concepts, iconic designs, trend-setters and classics.
The annual exhibition celebrates automotive and transportation design through a curated display of cars, trucks, aircraft, and other modes of transport. Many of the vehicles on view are designed by alumni and faculty of ArtCenter’s Transportation Design program, widely regarded as the most influential automotive design program in the world.
The 2026 Design Invitational places a special focus on Italian design and features more than 65 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and even an aircraft, from the ArtCenter community and private collections.
Visitors can explore must-see cars and trucks spanning decades, including rare classics, historically significant models, and award-winning designs that reflect the ArtCenter's lasting impact on automotive history.
Special presentations highlighting select vehicles will provide in-depth insights into each model’s history and design. The outdoor setting offers a unique opportunity to enjoy and explore the College’s beautiful Hillside Campus overlooking Pasadena.
This is a ticketed event. Advance registration required.
ArtCenter’s 2026 Design Invitational is open to the public. Tickets are $35 each; children 18 and under are free. Parking is free, but is first-come, first-served.Vehicles List
The final lineup is subject to change.
Featured Vehicles
Year/ Make/ Model
Description
1961 Abarth
Zagato Abarth 805SS
1956 Alfa Romeo
1900 SS2
1959 Alfa Romeo
Giulietta Sprint
1960 Alfa Romeo
2000 Touring Spider
1967 Alfa Romeo
Giulia
1974 Alfa Romeo
Montreal
2008 Alfa Romeo
Disco Volante Coupe By Touring Superlegg
Winner of the ArtCenter College of Design Award at The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering 2025
2023 Bentley
Bentayga S
1994 Bimota
DB2
Italian Motorcycle
1969 Detomaso
Mangusta
1972 Detomaso
Pantera coupe
2001 Ducati
MH900e
Mike Hailwood Evoluzione
1961 Ferrari
250 GTE 2+2
1967 Ferrari
330 GTS Roadster
1967 Ferrari
275 GTB/4 Scaglietti Berlinetta
Winner of the ArtCenter College of Design Award at 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
1967 Ferrari
275 GTB/4
1983 Ferrari
512 BBi Boxer
1983 Ferrari
308 GTB Quattrovalvole
2025 Ferrari
Daytona SP3
With exposed carbon fiber. From the collection of David Lee.
1968 Fiat
124 Spider AS
1969 Fiat
Michelotti Shellette
One of fewer than 10 surviving examples
1970 Fiat
695 Abarth
1974 Fiat
X-1/9
2017 Fiat
500e
1969 Lamborghini
Miura P400S
1969 Lamborghini
Espada
1976 Lamborghini
Countach LP400 Countach
"Periscopio" by Bertone
1983 Lamborghini
Jalpa
2022 Lamborghini
LP800-4
1956 Lancia
Aurelia B20 GT
One of the cars that defined the modern grand tourer
1966 Lancia
Flaminia GT 3C
1967 Lancia
Flaminia Super Sport Zagato
1967 Lancia
Fulvia HF
1974 Lancia
Stratos
1977 Laverda
1200 Jota America
Italian Motorcycle
1977 Lotus
Esprit
1961 Maserati
3500 GT
1968 Maserati
Sebring II
1971 Maserati
Ghibli SS
1975 Maserati
Khamsin
1989 Nissan
Pao
1991 Nissan
Figaro
1960 Porsche
356 Zagato Speedster
A rare fusion of German engineering and Italian Design
1971 Saab
Sonett III
1962 Triumph
TR3 Italia 2000
1962 Volkswagen
TYPE 34 Karmann-Ghia
ArtCenter Alumni Designed highlights
Year/ Make/ Model
Description
Aptera
Autocyle
Designed by alumnus Jason Hill
1973 Alfa Romeo
GTV 2000
The "dropped Alfa", modified by ArtCenter alumni and faculty members Nikita and Iliya Bridan into an off-road vehicle after the original vehicle suffered a 6-foot drop off a flatbed truck.
1972 Brubaker
Box
Prototype. Designed by alum Curt Brubaker
Cirrus
Vision SF50
Also known as the Vision Jet. The world’s first certified single-engine personal jet that has a cruising speed of 300 knots and a cabin that seats up to seven
2005 Ferrari
F430 Berlinetta
Designed by alumnus Frank Stephenson
GMC
HUMMER X truck and SUV concepts
Designed under the direction of Bryan Nesbitt, alum and VP of Global Design at General Motors
2026 Hyundai
Boulder
Designed by Brad Arnold (alum and Chief Designer and Head of Hyundai Design North America) and team
1997 Isuzu
VehiCROSS
Designed by alum Shiro Nakamura
2025 Lucid
Air Sapphire
Designed by alums Derek Jenkins and Jenny Ha
Meyers Manx
2.0 Prototype
Designed by alums Freeman Thomas and Frank Saucedo
Program Schedule
The programming will take place at the main stage and the schedule is subject to change.
10:15 a.m.
Opening remarks
ArtCenter President – Karen Hofmann
Chair of Transportation Design – Marek Djordjevic
Faculty – Richard Pietruska
50+ years of teaching
11 a.m.–noon
Interview with vehicle owners
Italian Design
- 1956 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT - Richard Plavetich
- 1968 Maserati Sebring II - Don Clem
- 1969 Fiat Michelotti Shellette - Pat Quilter
- 1974 Alfa Romeo Montreal - Ian Cartabiano
- 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 “Periscopio” - Chuck Gayton
- 2022 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 - Lamborghini Newport Beach
- 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3 - David Lee
- 1977 Laverda 1200 Jota America - Jay Brett (motorcycle)
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Interview with vehicle owners
Alumni-Design / Trustee / Specials / Student
- 2025 Cirrus Vision Jet (mock-up) - Alum: Brad Kappel (static airplane)
- 2025 Lucid Air Sapphire - Alum: Derek Jenkins + Jenny Ha
- 1972 Brubaker Box prototype - Alum: Curt Brubaker
- 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint - Ce Wang (student owner)
2025 ArtCenter Design Excellence Award winners
- 2008 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Coupe Touring Superleggera - David Cohen
Winner at The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering - 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Scaglietti Berlinetta - Franz von Holzhausen
1:45 p.m.
Closing remarks
2:00 p.m.