  Marion Allman, CEO |
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It all began in September 1976 when two graphic designers, Marion Allman and Cyndi Mendell, decided to open a two-year college that was innovative and practical at the same time... Why AIC | History | Philosophy | Affiliations |
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 Marion’s background was advertising where she interviewed prospective hires. “All portfolios looked the same. Very few showed the person’s potential. After the first five pieces you knew what school they were from”. “We had $50 to our name and 24 students who said they would attend. It got us a telephone and a three-year lease in the historic Gruen Building in Walnut Hills. We named the college The Academy of Communicative Arts.  The name was later changed to ACA College of Design when Ms. Allman bought a building in E. Walnut Hills. ACA was the first to recognize the importance of computers (in design) and offered the first computer major in 1982.  The college remained in the E. Walnut Hills for the next twenty years. In the year 2000 they expanded to a new building in tri-county. Wishing to incorporate Cincinnati into their name it was again renamed and is now AIC* College of Design (AIC standing for The Art Institute of Cincinnati). Keeping to it’s original mission, AIC is owned, operated and taught by professional graphic designers and offers a practical two-year curriculum. Graduates leave with entry-level skills and many successful alumni now own businesses and hire students.  What began thirty-three years is now recognized as one of the best in Cincinnati. |
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