<P> ArtCenter built its reputation as a vocational school, preparing returning G.I.s for work in the commercial arts fields and began awarding degrees in 1949 . In recognition of ArtCenter's commitment to addressing social and humanitarian issues through design, 2003 saw ArtCenter become the first design college to ever receive NGO (non-governmental organization) status by the United Nations . </P> <P> The college logo is an orange circle, also known as the ArtCenter "Dot," which has been a part of the school's identity since its inception by founder Tink Adams and a small number of colleagues . </P> <P> ArtCenter is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (1) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design . </P> <P> While art and design schools aren't regularly included in typical undergraduate rankings such as "U.S. News & World Report," ArtCenter has been recognized by a number of national and industry publications . The college's undergraduate and graduate industrial design programs are consistently ranked number one by DesignIntelligence . U.S. News and World Report also ranks ArtCenter's Art, Industrial Design and Media Design Practices programs among the top 20 graduate schools in the U.S. Most recently, the growing influence of Art Center's Film programs resulted in the college's ranking among The Hollywood Reporter's list of the Top 25 Global Film Schools . </P>

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