How Otis College Helped Launch Korean Alumni into Creative Careers

“I entered the fashion industry to earn a living, but without any formal education. After the first day at work I remember wanting to work as a fashion designer for the rest of my life. After a few years in the industry I realized I wouldn’t be able to succeed without proper education in the field, so I decided to apply to Otis.

During my Foundation year, I learned about different majors and took courses that are only available at an art and design school, expanding my imagination. My second to fourth year of the rigorous program in Fashion Design provided me with an advantage after graduation. I obtained fundamental knowledge and critical thinking skills that allowed me to apply my creative mindset under pressure. My supportive professors also helped me push myself every day.

I have been working in the Fashion District in Downtown Los Angeles after graduating from Otis. My designs have been sold to companies like Shein, Ross, TJ Maxx, Windsor, Fashion Nova, Akira, Urban Outfitters, Bloomingdales, and others. I attended the Magic trade shows in Las Vegas and have sold to customers all over the world. For the past three years, I’ve been working as a head designer at Miss 8, and my designs are sold to companies in Florida, South America, and other places.”

“I graduated from Otis College in 2004 with a BFA in Digital Media. From 2004–2014 I worked for the Gillette, CBS films, and Silver pictures in Los Angeles and created film title sequences and did holographic UI design and brand identities for projects including 300: Rise of an Empire, Prometheus, Jack the Giant Slayer, Ironman, Spider-Man 3, Superman Returns. 

I returned to Korea and established Master, a creative design studio specializing in advertising, film, entertainment design, and visual effects. Master has been a creative design partner for brands like Netflix, Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, Oneplus, Ecovacs, and Vivo. 

I have beautiful memories of my classes at Otis. One of my favorites was a drawing class in which my instructor used an audio story of a sci-fi graphic novel and the students had to create visual concepts for costumes, architecture, vehicles, and cultural imagery based on the story. Another favorite was an animal drawing course where I visited the L.A. Zoo and drew animals every two weeks. I remember the eye of a giraffe, the brilliant sunshine in L.A., and how beautiful a time it was in my life.”

“Since graduating from Otis College I have cultivated my professional career as a graphic designer in the fields of branding, marketing, culture, and education. Currently, I’m working as a senior graphic designer at the University of California Los Angeles, focusing on design, branding, and marketing. Prior to joining UCLA, I served as a senior graphic designer at the Autry Museum of the American West, one of the region’s renowned museums, as well as at L.A. Trade-Tech College, and for a variety of clients.

The creative projects I have led in these fields earned me notable awards including the Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award (2020, Silver); the ACUHO-I Marketing Award (2020, 2nd Place); and the ADDY Award (2009, Bronze, Los Angeles) for creative excellence.

Otis shaped the cornerstones of my professional journey through its excellent design and art programs, presentations, semester reviews, dedicated support from professors and staff, and its vibrant creative culture. The approaches to design learned at Otis have greatly helped my practical work. After graduating, connecting with Otis through events has been both motivating and informative in the design industry. 

Otis has enabled me to thrive as a professional, and I’m confident that it will continue to be an asset in my future journey within the design industry.”

“Otis was the greatest learning experience for me. Of course, I acquired design skills, but, more than anything, I was able to learn about life as an international student. From the Foundation year to social activities and design studies, Otis was a valuable and precious experience. 

Critiques and presentation sessions at the end of each semester were valuable, as was the chance to experience various mediums such as painting, drawing, ceramics, and woodworking, rather than being limited to my department. The mentorship provided by instructors who are actively involved in their fields led me to design work both online and offline. I couldn’t imagine where I would be today if I hadn’t been a student at Otis.

A few years ago, I passed by campus while on a business trip to L.A. and saw that it has become very spacious and new. I send my gratitude, love, and support to Otis College of Art and Design, which continues to make great progress!”

“After studying fashion design at Otis College, I was fortunate to work as a designer for iconic brands such as Barbie (Mattel), Bratz (MGA Entertainment), and Hello Kitty (Sanrio U.S.). 

Watching the global rise of K-pop and K-beauty sparked my desire to return to Korea and contribute to this cultural wave.

In Korea, I worked as a designer for renowned companies including Disney (both Korea and U.S.), Line Friends, and KakaoVX, but those experiences revealed a lack of sophisticated female-targeted characters in the domestic market. This inspired me to create the character and merchandise line, Lala Boo.

My countless nights at Otis poring over fashion design and illustration projects provided a solid foundation of career skills. In addition, the years spent experiencing Los Angeles’s rich cultural diversity and burgeoning arts scene proved pivotal in building the Lala Boo brand and expanding its unique universe. 

I’m truly grateful for the curriculum at Otis, the passionate guidance of its professors, and the chance to begin my career in a city like L.A., home to the headquarters of global design giants. It has all helped me achieve my childhood dream.”