ArtCenter adds alumnus Royce Hong to its board

ArtCenter College of Design has elected alumnus Royce Y.C. Hong to its Board of Trustees, bringing a designer-entrepreneur with experience in technology, manufacturing and Asia’s innovation ecosystem back to Pasadena. The move underscores ArtCenter’s push to expand its reach and influence across the Pacific Rim.

Why it matters: - Royce Hong’s appointment adds a trustee with experience across design, technology, manufacturing and the arts. - ArtCenter is looking to strengthen its engagement with Asia’s innovation and creative industries. - The board seat gives the college another leader with global business ties and alumni roots.

What happened: - ArtCenter College of Design elected alumnus Royce Y.C. Hong (BFA 94 Graphic and Packaging Design) to its Board of Trustees. - Hong is a designer, entrepreneur and global business leader. - The announcement was made June 29, 2026. - ArtCenter is based in Pasadena, California.

The details: - Hong is founder and CEO of IPEVO Inc., a maker of design-driven AI-empowered communication devices used in schools across the country. - Hong is also founder and CEO of XING Mobility, which develops immersion-cooled battery systems for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. - Hong serves as chairman of Panasonic Taiwan, a manufacturer of home appliances and electronic components. - ArtCenter President Karen Hofmann said Hong’s career shows the power of design to shape industries and drive innovation. - Board Chairman Michael Warsaw said Hong’s business experience and insight into innovation in Asia will support the college’s mission and impact. - Hong became chairman of the Hong Foundation in 2021. - The Hong Foundation has supported culture and the arts in Taiwan since 1971. - Hong is a two-time TEDxTaipei speaker, author of Driven by Design and former columnist for Business Weekly Taiwan. - Hong also earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Industrial Design from Rhode Island School of Design. - ArtCenter was founded in 1930 and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in industrial design, media and technology, and visual and applied arts. - ArtCenter says its students learn through practitioner-led instruction, state-of-the-art facilities and industry relationships. - The college says its alumni and faculty have shaped iconic products, vehicles, campaigns and creative works for nearly 100 years. - More information about ArtCenter College of Design is available here.

Between the lines: - Hong’s background fits ArtCenter’s pitch as a school that blends creative training with industry and entrepreneurship. - The appointment also signals a continued emphasis on Asia, where Hong has built much of his leadership network. - Bringing back an alumnus with operating experience can help the college connect classroom training to real-world business and product development.

What's next: - Hong will join a trustee group focused on advancing ArtCenter’s mission and global reach. - His role is likely to support the college’s ties to design, technology and innovation networks in Asia and beyond. - ArtCenter will continue positioning itself as a global leader in design education and industry-connected training.