ArtCenter College Design Recognizes Pioneering Alumni Who Shaped Worlds Real and Imagined

Pasadena’s ArtCenter College of Design has unveiled the recipients of its 16th Annual Alumni Awards, honoring a remarkable trio whose design sensibilities not only brought joy to millions but also tackled some of society’s most pressing issues.

The awardees, who will be fêted at a June 8th ceremony, represent the transformative power of design in realms as diverse as theme parks and social impact initiatives.

They are Bob Gurr, the world’s only living original Disneyland Imagineer; De Liu, co-founder of Xiaomi Corporation; and Azeez Alli-Balogun, Head of Design at the XQ Institute.

“Bob, De and Azeez are stellar alumni who showcase the transformative effect design can bring to the world,” Karen Hofmann, President of the ArtCenter College of Design, said. “Their accomplishments are a reminder for ArtCenter students to challenge the norm and embrace boundless possibilities.”

Gurr, who graduated in 1952 with a BS in Transportation Design, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. During his nearly 40 years at Disney, he worked on over 100 attractions, including the Autopia cars, the Monorail, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. He also engineered Disney’s most advanced 1964 Animatronics figure, Abraham Lincoln, and created the UFO that soared over the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

Liu, a 2015 graduate from the MS in Industrial Design program, is the recipient of the Distinguished Mid-Career Award. As co-founder of Xiaomi, he built the company’s industrial design division into a tech giant, guided by his user-centric philosophy and the notion of making the joy of technology accessible to all. Under his leadership, Xiaomi garnered over 500 domestic and international design recognitions. He also spearheaded an innovative business model to invest in nearly 250 startups, propelling Xiaomi into new realms of innovation.

Alli-Balogun, who graduates in 2018 with a MS in Industrial Design, will be honored with the Young Innovator Award. He leads product design at the XQ Institute to make high school education more equitable. As the co-founder and President of Aroko Cooperative, he harnesses his passion for design to drive social impact by highlighting African and Indigenous cultures. At Netflix, he developed globalization tools that enhanced the platform’s cultural inclusiveness, and he advocates for decisions that prioritize the well-being of both the community and the environment.

An ArtCenter statement said these pioneers demonstrate how a design education can take many paths and lead to influential roles across a broad spectrum of careers. The awardees’ achievements highlight the benefits of working with interdisciplinary teams, a value instilled in every ArtCenter alum, the statement continued.

Recipients of the 15th Annual Alumni Awards – multi-disciplinary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, Yves Béhar,  founder and CEO of fuseproject; artist, strategist and entrepreneur Bruce Heavin, and Design for Wildlife founder Mariana Prieto – will also be celebrated at the ceremony this year.

The ArtCenter Alumni Awards are an annual recognition bestowed by the College and the Alumni Office, with input from the internal ArtCenter community and global AlumNetwork of over 25,000 individuals showcasing their talent across multiple realms of art and design. Past recipients include renowned designers such as Kit Hinrichs, Syd Mead and Shiro Nakamura.

The award ceremony on June 8 will include a showcase of videos celebrating the honorees’ accomplishments. 

To see a complete list of Alumni Award honorees, visit http://www.artcenter.edu/about/alumni/alumni-awards.html.