Otis College of Art and Design will host O-Launch, a weekend showcasing the future of art and design through the work of graduating students, on Friday, May 12 through Sunday, May 14 at the College’s campus in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles.
O-Launch highlights include the Annual Exhibition, with displays throughout the campus featuring work by students from every department in the College, a fashion show held in the commons, and ceramics and book sales. The event kicks off with an industry night, during which employers can connect directly with students while seeing their work firsthand. The weekend culminates in the Otis College commencement ceremony, which includes guest speakers and influential honorary degree recipients.
Find a full schedule below, followed by details about each department's presentation.
O-Launch Schedule
Friday, May 12
- 4:00–6:00 p.m.: Industry Night
- 6:00–10:00 p.m.: Alumni & Friends Preview
- 6:00–9:00 p.m.: MFA Fine Arts Open Studios
- 8:00–9:00 p.m.: Fashion Show
Saturday, May 13
- 12:00–10:00 p.m.: Open to Public
- 1:00–5:00 p.m.: MFA Fine Arts Open Studios
- 6:00–9:00 p.m.: BFA Fine Arts Exhibition Reception
Sunday, May 14—Commencement
Off-site: Marsee Auditorium | El Camino College | Torrance
- 11:30 a.m.: Doors Open
- 12:00–2:00 p.m.: Ceremony
Department Happenings
Digital Media
The Digital Media Graduating Senior Show will offer an immersive digital experience that showcases the best student work from the department, including the Animation, Motion Design, and Game and Entertainment Design areas of emphasis. The presentation will be on view on the fourth and fifth floors of Ahmanson Hall.
Environmental Design
LURE is a spatial environment designed, fabricated, and installed on the fifth floor of Ahmanson Hall by Environmental Design students for the display of their studio projects. The department will also publicly present the Environmental Design Awards for Excellence in Design on Saturday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Ahmanson Hall Room 507.
Fashion Design
The Fashion Design department will present Artistic License, a runway show featuring unique creations by the junior and senior classes under the mentorship of distinguished industry professionals. The show will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12 in the outdoor commons area of campus. Limited seating will be reserved for students, families, and mentors, with standing room available for the general public.
The Fashion Design Exhibition, highlighting work by a wide range of students, will be on view Saturday, May 13, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m, in the fitting theater on the fourth floor of the Anne Cole Building.
Fine Arts
In addition to open studios in the Galef Fine Arts Center on Friday and Saturday, the interdisciplinary MFA Fine Arts program will present a group exhibition showcasing the work of its graduating students. The exhibition, ChatMFA: Conscious Maneuvers, will be on view in the Bolsky Gallery, located on the ground level of the same building.
The BFA Fine Arts program will also present a group exhibition featuring work by senior students. The Bucket will be on view in the Galef Fine Arts Center from May 8 through May 14, with a reception on Saturday, May 13, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Graphic Design and Illustration
The Graphic Design and Illustration senior exhibition, blooms, will present exploratory and critically-engaged works that draw from personal experiences while remaining committed to a larger culture and community. Situated on the sixth floor of Ahmanson Hall, blooms will feature genre-defying digital and analog works that exemplify the Class of 2023’s expansive range of interests and talents. The exhibition will also include a student-run store where visitors can fill complimentary tote bags with a variety of art and artifacts purchased directly from the next generation of illustrators and graphic designers.
Interdisciplinary Studies
Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies program hone a broad range of skills and knowledge, ultimately developing an art and design practice that is grounded in two or more disciplines, or situated defiantly in-between. The Interdisciplinary Studies exhibition will include highlights of work by students graduating with minors in Advertising Design, Art History, Book Arts, Community Arts Engagement, Contemporary Clay, Creative Writing, Digital Media, Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Printmaking, Product Design, Sculpture/New Genres, Sustainability, and Teacher Credential Preparation. The exhibition will take place in the hallways on the third floor of Ahmanson Hall.
Product Design
The Product Design Graduate Show is presented as an on-campus and online exhibition. Located in the Mei-Lee Ney Design Studio, the in-person interactive student presentations will offer a diversity of work that encompasses a variety of products and design experiences. The expansive show will present a range of products and exploratory work by graduating students, including furniture, lighting fixtures, fashion accessories, jewelry, footwear, home goods, packaging, sports equipment, transportation, and work that defies categorization.
Toy Design
Presented by the Toy Design department, Otis Toy Neighborhood will celebrate the newest generation of toy designers through a display of work by its graduating students. Located on the seventh floor of Ahmanson Hall, the presentation will include everything from action figures and dolls to plush toys, playsets, and more.