CENTRO de diseno

What CENTRO de diseno does

CENTRO de Diseño, Cine y Televisión (legally Centro de Diseño y Comunicación, S.C.) is a private higher education institution headquartered in Mexico City at Av. Constituyentes 455, operating since approximately 2005. It delivers interdisciplinary creative education through nine RVOE-accredited undergraduate programs (Licenciaturas), five master's degrees and 22+ specializations (Posgrados), and a continuing education line (Educación Continua) spanning architecture, interior architecture, film and television, creative computing, visual communication, industrial design, textile and fashion, marketing and advertising, and creative industries business. The institution operates from a single LEED Platinum certified campus (since 2016) and supports teaching with an ecosystem of sub-units including the Centro de Investigación en Economía Creativa (CIEC) research center, the Hub de Diseño Social (first Mexican member of the DESIS Network since 2018), the Mediateca specialized library, a Photography Laboratory, and a sustainability program (Plan de Sostenibilidad 2024-30).

The business model is tuition-based subscription revenue billed annually, with scholarships and financing options, processed via Santander bank and MIT payment processor integrations. Distribution is sales-led through a dedicated admissions funnel that includes pre-university school partnerships (colegios vinculados), bi-annual Día CENTRO open houses, online application sessions, and a portfolio of marketing channels spanning Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Facebook, and Twitter/X. The underlying technology stack comprises the Portal CENTRO student platform (Google OAuth authenticated, integrated with Santander payments), Brightspace by D2L as the LMS, Google Analytics for traffic analysis, and WhatsApp for advisor-led admissions conversations. International reach is delivered through exchange programs and a 2+2 dual-degree pathway via the Galileo Global Education alliance (Istituto Marangoni, NABA, Domus Academy).

CENTRO is operated by an independent civil society entity with 251-500 employees, no disclosed parent company or external equity ownership, and CONACYT (RENIECYT) registration since 2013. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and there is one nominal 2015 funding entry from LIV Capital. The strategic positioning emphasizes interdisciplinary professionalization of creativity, international academic alliances, social design, and emerging AI education via its specialty in Inteligencia Artificial para Producción Audiovisual.

Name

CENTRO de diseno

Legal name

Centro de Diseño y Comunicación, S.C.

Website

https://centro.edu.mx

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

akta.pro primary industry

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architecture Schools (within Arts & Design institutions) (EDAHAJAG), Film, Television & Media Arts Colleges (EDAHAJAE)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Creative arts programs
• Undergraduate degrees
• Continuing education
• Design education

Headquarters

HQ city

Mexico City

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and educational services: CENTRO generates revenue through tuition fees for undergraduate programs (licenciaturas), graduate programs (posgrados), and continuing education courses including workshops, diplomas, and bootcamps. The institution offers scholarships and financing programs, and processes payments through online platforms, bank transfers, and in-campus collection services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CENTRO de Diseño, Cine y Televisión is a private higher education institution offering undergraduate degrees (licenciaturas), graduate programs (posgrados), and continuing education (educación continua) in creative disciplines including architecture, interior architecture, film and television, creative computing, visual communication, industrial design, textile and fashion design, marketing and advertising, and creative industries business. The institution operates from a LEED Platinum certified campus in Mexico City and is integrated with the Galileo Global Education European university network.

Product overview

CENTRO de Diseño, Cine y Televisión is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of creative programs. The core offerings include 9 undergraduate degrees (Licenciaturas), 5 master's programs and 22+ specializations (Posgrados), and continuing education courses (Educación Continua). These are supported by an integrated technology ecosystem comprising the Portal CENTRO student platform and various specialized facilities including Mediateca (library), Laboratorio de Fotografía, Centro de Investigación en Economía Creativa (CIEC) research center, Hub de Diseño Social for social innovation, and CENTRO Sostenible sustainability initiative. Additional programs include international exchange (2+2 dual-degree with European universities), professional internships, social service, and the Tenkuä participatory futures tool. The institution operates from a LEED Platinum certified campus and is connected to the Galileo Global Education network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centro de Investigación en Economía Creativa (CIEC): Research center that publishes the Economía Creativa journal and CIEC Notebooks, conducts research on creativity and innovation processes
• Hub de Diseño Social
• Mediateca
• Laboratorio de Fotografía
• CENTRO Sostenible
• Tenkuä

Products and services

• Licenciaturas (Undergraduate Programs) Nine undergraduate degree programs in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Film and Television, Creative Computing, Visual Communication, Industrial Design, Textile and Fashion Design, Marketing and Advertising, and Creative Industries Business. All programs hold Federal RVOE SEP recognition. Target audience: high school graduates seeking professional careers in creative fields.
• Posgrados (Graduate Programs) Graduate programs including 5 master's degrees (Maestrías) and 22+ specializations (Especialidades) covering contemporary art markets, design methods, fashion business, innovation and creativity, 21st century housing, creative coding, photography, urban design, lighting, ceramics, and more. Target audience: professionals seeking advanced specialization in creative economy fields.
• Educación Continua (Continuing Education) Continuing education programs including courses, workshops, diplomas, and bootcamps in architecture, cinema, design, technology, textile and fashion, marketing, business innovation, and children's programs. Available in-person, hybrid, and online modalities (Onlive). Target audience: working professionals and individuals seeking to update skills in creative disciplines.
• Programa 2+2 Dual-Degree Dual-degree program allowing students to study 2 years at CENTRO and 2 years at European partner universities (Istituto Marangoni, NABA, Domus Academy) under the Galileo Global Education alliance. Available for Interior Architecture, Creative Computing, Visual Communication, Industrial Design, and Textile and Fashion Design. Students receive degrees from both institutions.
• Programa de Intercambio Internacional International exchange program allowing students to study at partner universities for one or two semesters. Requires 8.5/10 GPA minimum and Spanish communication skills. Includes spring (deadline Oct 30) and fall (deadline May 15) application cycles. Target audience: CENTRO students seeking international academic experience.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Galileo Global EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance connecting CENTRO with Galileo Global Education, the leading network for higher education in art and creative fields in Europe. This partnership enables the 2+2 dual-degree program allowing students to study two years at CENTRO and two years at European partner institutions, receiving degrees from both institutions.
• Istituto MarangonicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean partner institution in the 2+2 dual-degree program, offering students the opportunity to complete part of their creative education in Italy with preferential benefits for the first year abroad.
• NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle ArticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean partner institution participating in the 2+2 dual-degree program, providing access to Italian art and design education with preferential conditions for CENTRO students.
• Domus AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean design school partner in the 2+2 program, offering Milano-based design education with preferential benefits for Mexican students completing their degree at CENTRO.
• DESIS NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of university laboratories focused on design for social innovation and sustainability. CENTRO's Hub de Diseño Social has been a member since 2018, being the first in Mexico to join this international network.
• CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCENTRO is registered in the National Registry of Scientific and Technological Institutions and Companies (RENIECYT) of CONACYT since 2013, supporting the institution's research activities and academic credibility.
• SantanderminorOthersSantander Bank (México) provides online payment processing services for tuition and educational fees, enabling students to pay through bank transfers and other financial services.
• International partner universitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious international universities with exchange agreements allowing students to spend one or two semesters abroad. Requirements include 8.5/10 GPA minimum and Spanish language proficiency for exchange opportunities.
• Bosque de ChapultepecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for social design projects including the Ancient Train Station scenic project recovery, collaborating with CENTRO students and faculty on urban community initiatives.
• Centro Médico ABCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare institution collaborating with CENTRO's Hub de Diseño Social on community health projects including the development of a children's health passport designed by Communication Visual students.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Parsons School of Design: Premier U.S. design school within The New School, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across fashion, product, communication, and creative technology. Comparable to CENTRO in design-discipline portfolio and brand-driven recruitment, but operating at materially larger scale and global recognition.
• Pratt Institute: U.S. private institution offering professional undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture, art, design, and information. Comparable to CENTRO in multi-disciplinary creative portfolio (architecture, industrial design, communication, fashion) and in serving tuition-paying creative-economy students.
• Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM): Mexico's largest private university, offering undergraduate and graduate programs that overlap with CENTRO's creative and design catalog (architecture, industrial design, marketing, creative business) at far greater scale and geographic reach across Mexico and Latin America.
• School of Visual Arts (SVA): New York City-based for-profit private college specializing in visual and applied arts (advertising, design, film, photography, illustration). Comparable to CENTRO in its specialization in creative disciplines and tuition-driven private model, but operating at higher U.S. price points and brand recognition.
• Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO): Major Mexico City private Jesuit university with departments in architecture, design, communication, and arts that overlap with CENTRO's portfolio. Comparable as a Mexico City-based private institution serving tuition-paying students seeking creative and design careers, but with a much broader academic footprint.

Direct peers

• Istituto Marangoni: Italy-based private fashion, art, and design school and CENTRO's strategic partner in the Galileo Global Education 2+2 dual-degree program. Directly comparable in product offering (fashion, design, creative business programs), customer profile (creative-economy undergraduates), and private for-profit status within the same European network.
• Domus Academy: Milan-based postgraduate design school within the Galileo Global Education network and CENTRO's third 2+2 partner. Highly comparable as a private design school targeting postgraduate and professional students in fashion, product, interior, and visual design.
• NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti: Milan-based private academy of fine arts, design, fashion, and media — also a Galileo Global Education partner in CENTRO's 2+2 program. Comparable in scope (undergraduate, graduate, and continuing creative programs) and in its positioning as an Italy-rooted, internationally-recruited design school.

Emerging players

• Domestika: Global online creative-education marketplace offering affordable courses in design, illustration, photography, marketing, film, and craft. Overlaps directly with CENTRO's Educación Continua (courses, workshops, diplomas, bootcamps) for non-degree-seeking adult learners in Spanish-speaking markets.

Regional players

• Universidad de Palermo: Buenos Aires-based private university with a strong design, architecture, and communication portfolio and a Latin American student-recruitment footprint. Comparable as a private creative-focused institution outside Mexico targeting Spanish-speaking students interested in design careers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/centro_news
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC40YNTjmtfGfYOmogaPvXHQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/centro.edu.mx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/centro.edu.mx
• Instagraminstagram.com/centro_U
• TikToktiktok.com/@centro_diseno_cine_tv?lang=es

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CENTRO de diseno