Otis College of Art and Design

Established in 1918 as Los Angeles’s first professional school of the arts, Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, California, United States educates a diverse community of over 1,200 students in accredited degree programs, professional certificates, youth camps, and more.  The main campus is located in the former IBM Aerospace headquarters at 9045 Lincoln Boulevard in Westchester, Los Angeles. The school's programs, accredited by the WSCUC and National Association of Schools of Art and Design, include BFA and MFA degrees.
 

Otis College of Art and Design began in 1918 when Los Angeles Times founder Harrison Gray Otis bequeathed his Westlake, Los Angeles, property to start the first public, independent professional school of art in Southern California. However, Otis would not live to see the college's grand opening as he died the previous year. 

The current Otis College main campus (since 1997) is in the Westchester area of Los Angeles. The main building -built in 1963- was designed by architect Eliot Noyes for IBM, and is famous for its computer "punched card" style windows. It was remodeled in 1997 when it moved from its original location. The Galef Center, made for the Fine Arts department, was designed by Fredrick Fisher and built in 2001. 

A ceramics school was begun by Peter Voulkos at Otis in the 1950s and was part of art movements like the Craft-to-Art movement, which influenced the Ferus Gallery scene of the 1960s. Many prominent artists associated with Southern California's Light and Space movement were involved with the school, as well as leaders of the conceptual art world of the 1970s. Moreover, Otis nurtured significant Latino artists, including Marisol Escobar, and the mural group Los Four also originated at Otis in the 1970s.

The school was originally named Otis Art Institute. From 1978 until 1991, it was affiliated with New York's Parsons School of Design and known as Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design, a division of the New School for Social Research. This affiliation allowed students to spend a semester at the Parsons schools in New York and Paris. In 1991, it became independent again and was named Otis College of Art and Design.

In 2022, the college received the largest donation in its history from the Spiegel Family Fund, which was founded by CEO of Snapchat (Snap Inc.), Evan Spiegel. The donation paid off the debt of the graduating class, 77% of whom identify as people of color.

The president of Otis College is Charles Hirschhorn, since June 2020.[11][12][13]

Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles offers diverse undergraduate and graduate programs. The college's curriculum is designed to foster innovation, critical thinking, and practical skills across disciplines.

Otis provides Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees in Animation, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Game and Entertainment Design, Illustration, Product Design, and Toy Design. Each program emphasizes hands-on learning and industry engagement. For instance, the Fashion Design program is recognised for its industry-centric curriculum, offering students opportunities to work on projects ranging from activewear to costume design, often under the mentorship of leading professionals. 

In Otis’ Fashion Design program, students learn how to create and construct garments under leading industry professionals. The program has successfully prepared creative professionals for the rigours of the fashion industry. The program’s reputation is based on quality, relevance, and innovation. This has been accomplished in part by developing an extensive networking component into the program. The Fashion Design program differentiates itself with emphasis on developing capable, innovative, and professional fashion designers with a comprehensive understanding of consumer markets. 

Sustainable design is integral to the program, encouraging students to create environmentally responsible fashion. Through upcycling, students transform existing garments into innovative pieces, while the use of eco-friendly fibres like hemp and organic cotton reduces environmental impact. Zero-waste techniques, such as pattern markers, minimise fabric waste during production. Additionally, students are encouraged to design heirloom-quality garments, promoting longevity and reducing the need for fast-fashion. 

By incorporating these sustainable practices, the program empowers future designers to develop creative solutions that contribute to reducing fashion’s footprint on the environment. Central to the Otis experience are platforms and events that highlight student achievements, such as the Annual Exhibition. This provides a space for students to present their final projects to the public and industry professionals.

At the graduate level, Otis offers Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. The MFA in Fine Arts program encourages interdisciplinary exploration and critical discourse, providing students with individual studio spaces and access to various labs and workshops . The MFA in Graphic Design program combines theory, criticism, and entrepreneurship, preparing graduates for diverse careers in fields such as advertising, branding, and web design .
 

All first-year undergraduate students participate in a Foundation program that builds fundamental skills across visual arts and design disciplines. This immersive experience includes studio courses and liberal arts classes that emphasize creativity, diversity, and social responsibility . The curriculum is designed to help students make informed decisions about their major and future career paths.
 

Otis also offers a range of minors that allow students to tailor their education to specific interests. Options include Art History, Concept Art, Creative Writing, Digital Media, Entrepreneurship, Motion Design, and Sustainability, among others . These minors provide additional avenues for students to develop specialized skills and engage in interdisciplinary studies.
Otis College of Art and Design

Otis College of Art and Design does not offer a Master of Business Administration program. As a specialized institution focusing on art and design, Otis provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields such as Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, and Digital Media. Therefore, it does not appear in global MBA rankings. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Otis is ranked within the 51–100 bracket for Art and Design globally. Additionally, U.S. News and World Report ranks Otis at #32 among Best Fine Arts Programs in the United States.

96% of Otis College students acquire jobs within a year of graduating. Career preparedness is a hallmark of an Otis education and is woven through every discipline and course. These statistics are based on a 73% knowledge rate from the 2023 Alumni Career Survey and supplemental data collection. Otis College's Career Services department offers lifelong support to students and alumni, including career counseling, job search resources, and networking opportunities. The college's location in Los Angeles provides access to a vibrant creative industry, enhancing internship and employment prospects. Notable employers of Otis graduates include Disney Experiences, GUESS, Northrop Grumman, Urban Outfitters, and Spin Master, among others. 

1. "Otis College of Art and Design Announces O-Launch". www.apparelnews.net. 
2. "Otis College of Art and Design". Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design. 
3. "Sudden Death Strikes Harrison Gray Otis". The Atlanta Constitution.
4. "Parsons and Otis: Art School Merger". The New York Times.
5. "Otis: Nine Decades of Los Angeles Art Exhibition Highlight Lasting Impact of LA Artists & Movements"(PDF). 
6. "Charles Hirschhorn Appointed President Of Otis College Of Art And Design". Artforum. 
7. "Otis College of Art and Design picks entertainment executive as its new president". Los Angeles Times.
8. "Harlem Legend Norman Rockwell, An American Master, 1894 – 1978". Harlem World Magazine. 
9. "Dissonance to Detour". Shahzia Sikander.
10. "Resumé". Masami Teraoka.
11. "Centennial | Ben Maltz Gallery". Noho Arts District.
12. "Gary Geraths". Otis.edu.