Designmatters 25th Anniversary
Celebrating 25 Years of Community, Connection, Innovation and Impact
Since 2001, Designmatters has brought together students, faculty, community members and partners to find design-driven solutions to some of the most pressing social issues of our time, including clean water access; healthcare; disaster preparedness and response; and sustainability.
Designmatters projects and programs give ArtCenter students, guided by the expertise of faculty and partners, the opportunity to work on projects rooted in communities. These experiences expand students’ creative skills, deepen their sense of social responsibility and often lead to projects that are implemented with our partners, creating measurable positive change.
Celebrate 25 years of impact with a gift to Designmatters. Your support will fund upcoming projects and programs, including student stipends, travel scholarships, guest speakers and project documentation, ensuring the next generation of ArtCenter students has the opportunity to create meaningful change.
Designmatters has cultivated my hunger for social and cultural change, my love for radical innovation, and my passion for connection with the people around me, all while providing a powerful skillset and network through which to achieve these.
Connie Bakshi BS 15 Environmental Design
Special thanks to the Designmatters alumni and friends who are helping plan a 25th Anniversary Celebration for Fall 2026! More information will be available in the coming weeks!
Designmatters 25th Anniversary Committee Members
Chase Airmet (MS 16 Industrial Design)
Connie Bakshi (BS 15 Environmental Design)
Alex Cabunoc (BS 14 Product Design)
Dillon Chi (BS 21 Interaction Design)
Jonathan Goldman (BFA 10 Advertising)
Eden Han (BFA 20 Advertising)
Grace Lynn Haynes (BFA 17 Illustration)
Charlie Neshyba-Hodges (BS 18 Product Design)
Hélène Huang (BS 21 Environmental Design)
Luke Johnson (MFA 09 Media Design)
Avery Johnston (BS 22 Interaction Design)
Anna Meddaugh (BS 19 Product Design)
Naomi Nakamura (BFA 23 Illustration)
Alvin Oei (BS 18 Environmental Design)
Mariana Prieto (BS 12 Product Design)
Margaux Reynolds (BS 19 Product Design)
Nicole Rife Chan (MFA 10 Media Design)
Christiahn Roman (BS 17 Product Design)
Leonardo Santamaria (BFA 17 Illustration)
Nidhi Singh Rathore (MFA 19 Media Design)
Kelly Weldon (BS 16 Interaction Design)
Yihang (Sirius) Zhao (BFA 25 Illustration)
Honorary Committee Members
Mariana Amatullo
Susannah Ramshaw
Elisa Ruffino
Garret Scullin
Kimberly Velazco