The Make a Difference Program

Make A Difference is a program initiated by General Motors, establishing partnerships between secondary and post secondary organizations and the industry. The AOAT's partnership with the Art Center College of Design provided us the opportunity to be one of the two schools, outside Detroit, who were selected to participate in this program. Through this partnership, a group of GM designers from the California design studio volunteered their time to work with the AOAT students who showed interest in the industry. Going through twenty hours of training, students produced a set of drawings identifying their concept cars. On June 18, 2008, six AOAT students presented their designs to the management teams from GM and the Art Center. Being impressed by our students' maturity and professionalism, both organizations decided to continue this program and use the AOAT as their model program.

The AOAT thanks the Art Center and GM for this tremendous opportunity. We hope to expand this partnership and develop new ones involving other major organizations in the design industry.

Aazam Irilian, Coordinator

Academy of Art and Technology