Welcome to the ultimate resource for Art Center College of Design Jobs, where creativity meets academic excellence in the heart of Pasadena, California. As a premier institution for design education, Art Center College of Design offers unparalleled opportunities for academics, job seekers, and students passionate about innovation in fields like graphic design, transportation design, and entertainment design. Whether you're exploring professor positions at Art Center College of Design, seeking lecturer roles, or researching salaries in Art Center College of Design academia, this page provides comprehensive insights tailored to your career goals. Founded in 1930, Art Center has evolved into a global leader in design education, fostering groundbreaking work that influences industries worldwide. With a focus on practical, industry-aligned training, academic careers at Art Center College of Design promise collaboration with top talent and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Dive into faculty jobs at Art Center College of Design, discover research jobs, and explore higher education jobs that align with your expertise. For students, rate professors at Art Center College of Design to make informed choices, and for professionals, uncover academic opportunities that offer competitive salaries and growth. Start your journey today by checking out Rate My Professor for insights on top educators, or browse Higher Ed Jobs filtered for Art Center College of Design. Embrace the vibrant academic community in Academic Jobs in California and propel your career forward.
About Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design, located in Pasadena, California, United States, is a private nonprofit college renowned for its rigorous programs in art and design. Founded in 1930 by advertising executive Edward A. "Tink" Adams, the institution was established to bridge the gap between creative education and professional practice. Over the decades, it has grown into a leading design school, emphasizing hands-on learning and industry partnerships. The college's mission is to prepare artists and designers to make a positive impact on the world through innovative thinking and technical expertise. Key achievements include alumni who have shaped industries, such as Chris Bangle (automotive design) and Syd Mead (concept artist for films like Blade Runner). Art Center operates two campuses: the Hillside Campus in Pasadena, a modernist structure designed by Craig Ellwood, and the South Campus in downtown Pasadena, which includes advanced facilities for digital media and prototyping. The college offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in departments like Advertising, Entertainment Design, Environmental Design, Film, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interaction Design, Product Design, and Transportation Design, along with Humanities and Sciences. For more details, visit the Art Center College of Design Website. Explore related opportunities in Academic Jobs in United States, Academic Jobs in California, and Academic Jobs in Pasadena. Art Center's commitment to excellence attracts faculty and students globally, making it a hub for creative academic careers at Art Center College of Design. The institution boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized mentorship, and its location in Southern California provides proximity to major design firms and entertainment studios, enhancing job prospects for graduates and faculty alike. Recent trends show increasing emphasis on sustainable design and digital innovation, aligning with global demands.
Art Center College of Design has been pivotal in advancing design education, with notable programs that integrate technology and artistry. Its alumni network includes influential figures in automotive, product, and graphic design, contributing to the college's reputation for producing industry-ready professionals. The college's research initiatives often collaborate with companies like NASA and major automakers, providing faculty with unique opportunities for applied research. In terms of academic opportunities, Art Center emphasizes portfolio-based admissions and real-world projects, which extend to faculty roles where instructors bring professional experience into the classroom. This blend of theory and practice makes professor positions at Art Center College of Design highly sought after. For those interested in higher education jobs at Art Center College of Design, the institution offers a dynamic environment with access to cutting-edge tools like 3D printing labs and virtual reality studios. The college's commitment to diversity and inclusion further enriches the academic community, fostering an environment where innovative ideas thrive.
Faculty Job Opportunities at Art Center College of Design
Faculty job opportunities at Art Center College of Design are abundant, particularly in high-demand areas like Graphic Design, Transportation Design, and Interaction Design. As a leader in design education, the college frequently seeks Assistant Professors, Lecturers, and Adjunct Faculty to contribute to its innovative curriculum. Recent trends for 2025 indicate a surge in roles focused on sustainable design and digital media, driven by industry needs in California’s creative economy. For instance, professor positions at Art Center College of Design in Entertainment Design often involve collaborating on projects with Hollywood studios, while research jobs in Product Design emphasize user-centered innovation. Salary ranges, based on 2025 data from sources like Glassdoor and the Chronicle of Higher Education, typically start at $70,000-$90,000 for Assistant Professors, rising to $90,000-$110,000 for Associate Professors, and $110,000+ for Full Professors, influenced by experience and department. These figures are competitive within higher education jobs at Art Center College of Design, factoring in Pasadena's cost of living. Explore lecturer roles at Art Center College of Design for part-time opportunities that offer flexibility and industry engagement. To find current openings, visit AcademicJobs.com's Higher Ed Jobs page filtered by Art Center College of Design. Additional roles include Department Chairs and Research Fellows, with emphasis on portfolios showcasing professional work. The college's location in Pasadena provides access to networking events and collaborations, enhancing career prospects. For those pursuing academic careers at Art Center College of Design, the institution values faculty who bridge academia and industry, often leading to grants and exhibitions. Trends show increasing demand for expertise in AI-driven design, making these positions ideal for forward-thinking educators. Salaries in Art Center College of Design academia can be augmented by consulting opportunities, with average adjunct pay around $5,000-$7,000 per course. Check out Adjunct Professor Jobs for entry points. Overall, faculty jobs at Art Center College of Design offer a blend of teaching, research, and creative freedom, positioning the college as a top choice for design academics.
In departments like Illustration and Fine Art, opportunities abound for artists with exhibition experience, while Humanities & Sciences roles seek interdisciplinary scholars. Job trends for 2025 highlight remote and hybrid options, aligning with post-pandemic shifts. For salary insights, factors like tenure status and publication record play key roles, with bonuses for industry partnerships. Explore Lecturer Jobs specific to Art Center. The college's emphasis on diversity hiring ensures inclusive opportunities, making it appealing for underrepresented groups in design fields.
Assistant Professor in Graphic Design 💼
Salary: $70,000-$90,000. Focus on digital typography and branding.
Lecturer in Transportation Design 💼
Salary: $80,000-$100,000. Involves vehicle concept development.
Research Fellow in Interaction Design 💼
Salary: $85,000-$105,000. Emphasizes UX/UI innovation.
Adjunct Faculty in Film 💼
Salary: $5,000-$7,000 per course. Project-based teaching.
Why Work at Art Center College of Design
Working at Art Center College of Design offers a unique blend of creative freedom, industry connections, and academic rigor that sets it apart in higher education. Faculty enjoy access to cutting-edge facilities, including advanced studios and prototyping labs, fostering innovative research in design fields. The college's location in vibrant Pasadena provides proximity to Los Angeles' creative hubs, enhancing collaboration opportunities with companies like Disney and Tesla. Academic careers at Art Center College of Design are rewarding due to small class sizes, allowing for meaningful mentorship, and a supportive community that values work-life balance. Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, professional development funds, and sabbaticals for research. Notable is the emphasis on real-world impact, with faculty often exhibiting work internationally or consulting for major brands. Compared to other institutions, Art Center's focus on applied design leads to higher job satisfaction, as per employee reviews on platforms like Indeed. Explore why faculty jobs at Art Center College of Design are ideal through Higher Ed Jobs. The institution's commitment to sustainability and diversity further enriches the work environment, making it a top choice for those seeking impactful lecturer roles or professor positions at Art Center College of Design.
Salary Guide for Faculty at Art Center College of Design
The salary guide for faculty at Art Center College of Design reflects its status as a competitive design institution in California. Based on 2025 data from sources like the AAUP and Glassdoor, average salaries vary by rank, department, and experience. Assistant Professors earn $70,000-$90,000 annually, influenced by factors like portfolio strength and teaching load. Associate Professors see ranges of $90,000-$110,000, with bonuses for industry grants. Full Professors command $110,000-$150,000, especially in high-demand areas like Transportation Design. Adjuncts receive $5,000-$7,000 per course, supplemented by benefits for full-time roles. Location in Pasadena adds a premium due to living costs, but the college offers relocation assistance. Departments like Graphic Design often pay higher due to market demand. For detailed comparisons, visit Professor Salaries. Factors affecting pay include tenure, publications, and external funding, with trends showing increases for digital expertise. Overall, salaries in Art Center College of Design academia are above national averages for art schools, making it attractive for academic opportunities.
Additional perks include retirement matching and health stipends, enhancing total compensation. Compared to public universities, Art Center's private status allows flexible pay structures. Research 2025 trends indicate 3-5% annual increases. Explore more at University Salaries.
| Rank 📊 | Salary Range 📊 | Department Example |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $70,000-$90,000 | Graphic Design |
| Associate Professor | $90,000-$110,000 | Transportation Design |
| Full Professor | $110,000-$150,000 | Entertainment Design |
| Adjunct | $5,000-$7,000/course | Film |
Rate My Professor: Top Educators at Art Center College of Design
Discover top educators through Rate My Professor on AcademicJobs.com, featuring ratings for professors at Art Center College of Design. This platform helps students and academics evaluate teaching quality, course difficulty, and overall impact. Ratings are based on student feedback, highlighting excellence in design education. For professor ratings at Art Center College of Design, check Rate My Professor.
Michael Bierut - Graphic Design ⭐
Rating: 4.8/5. Known for insightful critiques and industry insights.
Petrula Vrontikis - Graphic Design ⭐
Rating: 4.7/5. Expertise in typography and branding.
Nik Hafermaas - Interaction Design ⭐
Rating: 4.9/5. Focuses on innovative digital experiences.
Geoff Wardle - Transportation Design ⭐
Rating: 4.6/5. Leader in mobility concepts.
Lisa Nugent - Illustration ⭐
Rating: 4.8/5. Emphasizes narrative storytelling.
Tim Durfee - Environmental Design ⭐
Rating: 4.7/5. Sustainable design advocate.
Career Progression at Art Center College of Design
Career progression at Art Center College of Design follows a structured path from adjunct to tenured roles, with emphasis on portfolio development and industry impact. Entry-level positions like Lecturer evolve to Assistant Professor after 3-5 years, leading to tenure-track with research funding. Salaries increase accordingly, from $70,000 to $150,000+. Professional development includes workshops and grants. Learn more at Higher Ed Career Advice.
Research and Innovation at Art Center College of Design
Research at Art Center College of Design focuses on sustainable design, AI in creativity, and mobility solutions, with centers like the Designmatters program. Collaborations with industry drive innovation. Explore Research Jobs.
Resources for Art Center College of Design Academics
- Professional development funds for conferences 🎓
- Faculty unions for advocacy 💼
- Health and retirement benefits 📍
Student Life and Perspectives at Art Center College of Design
Student life at Art Center includes portfolio reviews and industry internships. Use Rate My Professor for course selection.