Five Ways Otis Extension Classes Are Geared Toward Busy Adult Learners

Programs, Blog | October 10, 2024

The Adult Class Schedule Is Designed to Work with A Busy Lifestyle

With over 200 courses and programs, Otis Extension provides the tools and guidance to help students pursue their professional goals, achieve personal growth, or acquire new skills.

image with a drawing and paints

Taught by practicing professionals who are not only skilled arts educators but also bring their real-world experience to the classroom, Extension courses can be the first step towards unlocking students’ creative potential in an inspiring and supportive environment.

Otis Extension’s adult program is structured with flexibility in mind, with classes designed for beginners and seasoned artists and designers alike. From one-day workshops to 10-week courses and eight distinct certificate programs, there’s something for every creative pursuit. Here are five reasons why Otis Extension classes can fit seamlessly into even the busiest creative’s lifestyle.

1. Class Mode: Online or In-Person

A large portion of Otis Extension’s adult courses are held online and taught synchronously over Zoom. Students from all over the world meet in these digital spaces to learn from working artists and designers from the comfort of their own home or studio.

For in-person classes, the Otis College campus is conveniently located in west Los Angeles, near the 405 and 105 freeways, as well as a short three-mile ride from the Westchester/Veterans Station of the new K Metro line. In-person classes are taught in our top-notch labs and shops (more on those below).

2. After-Hours and Weekend Class Times

Most online classes start at 7:00 p.m., with a few weekend classes starting in the morning or early afternoon. In-person classes held during the week start at 7:00 p.m., allowing students to take classes after work, and a few are held on the weekends during convenient morning hours. Most Extension classes are three hours long, though some weekend workshops can be slightly longer (with a shorter course duration). It’s entirely possible to take multiple Extension courses in a week, which would allow a student pursuing a certificate to accelerate their program.

3. Access to Labs and Shops

Taking a class with Otis Extension grants students access to the labs and shops on campus, including the ceramics studio, photo lab, model shop, laboratory press, and wood and metal shop, among others. Students can not only create in these specialized maker spaces, but they can also use equipment such as tools and high-end video cameras and DSLRs. Each lab and shop features state-of-the-art equipment, including sanders, saw machines, and drill presses in the woodshop; potter’s wheels, kilns, and slab rollers in the ceramics studio; 3D printers and laser cutters in the model shop; and Vandercook proof presses, a photopolymer plate maker, and dozens of wood and metal typesets in the lab press. This is just a sampling of the types of equipment students can make with. Read more about what each lab and shop offers.

4. Experiment with Certificate Intro Courses

The eight certificate programs at Otis Extension—Animation, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Game Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Surface Design, and UI/UX for Web Design—involve such foundational courses as color theory and life drawing, which are then compounded by specializations in everything from 2D animation to typography. The order in which students take these courses ensures that they learn gradually, in a space that supports their educational process, aided by instructors who have demonstrated experience teaching students of all levels and learning styles.

5. Adaptability of Certificate Prerequisite and Required Courses

Not only does the curriculum of the eight certificate programs work in a progressively skilled order, but many of the foundational courses are applicable to multiple programs. For example, Color Theory and Design is a required course for seven of the eight certificate programs offered at Otis Extension. This gives students the flexibility to experiment with different certificates before committing, without having to start from scratch if they change direction.

More information about Otis Extension adult classes and certificate programs.