Product Design Program Highlights
Expansion and Innovation: Recent News from the Product Design Program and Community at Otis College
This fall, the Product Design program at Otis College embarked on a range of initiatives to deepen student engagement with hands-on making, emerging technologies, and professional practice. “Through new curriculum, expanded partnerships, and alumni involvement, the program continues to support student designers who approach products—and the world around them—with curiosity and purpose,” says Chair of the Product Design program, Jennifer Caveza.
Wearable Design and Brand Stretching
The Product Design program is intentionally focused on fashion accessories, an area that reflects industry opportunities. This direction will elevate a jewelry design elective into a more design-forward format. The elective will offer students the opportunity to learn traditional metalworking techniques and combine them with contemporary 3D modeling skills. A new elective on footwear will also begin in 2026.
Together, these additions strengthen the program’s commitment to wearable design while reinforcing connections between fashion, product, and technology.
A new senior-level course, Design and Market, builds on the market research foundation students establish during their previous years and focuses on brand stretching, or what existing brands might pursue next.
Partnerships, Industry Visits, and Professional Development
Product Design students visited multiple Los Angeles–area manufacturers including Lalaland Production and Design.
Product Design is developing a new partnership with ReWeave L.A. tied to the 2028 Olympics. Through an upcoming course, students will work with ReWeave’s donated materials to design accessories that express the mosaic of Los Angeles and its layered textures, cultures, and stories. Each piece will balance function with the spirit of the Olympics and themes central to the city.
This fall, Speedo once again welcomed Otis students to its Cypress, California headquarters for a day of industry immersion. Students gained insight into the life cycle of product design—from research to manufacturing—while receiving practical guidance from professionals and building valuable networking connections.
Speedo recently hired two 2025 Product Design graduates and continues to be a strong supporter of the program and an active partner in student learning. One of the alums hired by Speedo is Bona Nguyen.
I always loved sports but I was torn between so many majors at Otis and I really couldn't pick what I wanted to do until I took an elective. That’s when it became clear to me that Product Design was a combination of all that I wanted to explore and learn"
As part of the Methods and Materials course, sophomores visited multiple Los Angeles–area manufacturers, including Greneker, Lalaland Production and Design, Reynolds Advanced Materials, Pacific Art Glass, and Alphacast Foundry. These visits expanded students’ understanding of materials, fabrication processes, and the potential of product design in both artistic and industrial contexts.
For the fourth consecutive year, Jonathan Louis returned to sponsor the senior studio. In addition to financial support for materials and professional fabrication, Jonathan Louis, a national furniture brand, remains deeply engaged in student mentorship.
Finally, Frido Beisert, partner and design director at Baum-kuchen, led a student workshop focused on breaking patterns and developing inventive, strategic approaches to design.
Faculty Achievements
Alex Brokamp was shortlisted as a Best of the Year Nominee by Interior Design Magazine and named a finalist for the NYCxDesign Award for his Bon Lighting Collection. Brokamp’s professional practice spans furniture, lighting, and object design, and he currently serves as Senior Industrial Designer at Perron-Roettinger studio.
Chris Becker published his second book, Effective UX Design Strategies: A Practical Guide to Human-Centered Design and Agile UX Implementation. The book explores foundational human-centered design methods as well as emerging trends. Becker illustrated the book and documented the production process.
Alumni News
Alumni from the Product Design program speak to current students.
Robert Spangle (’16 BFA Product Design), a photojournalist, Marine veteran, and fashion and accessories designer released a new podcast, The Observer, which brings listeners to the front lines of current conflicts through firsthand accounts from soldiers, medics, and civilians.
Greg Ross (’17 BFA Product Design) is preparing to release his third clothing collection. Ross has developed a signature approach, blending worn-in textures and utilitarian silhouettes with luxury and vintage influences. His past work includes custom pieces for artists such as Drake and Travis Scott.
Mellanie Urquiza (’16 BFA Product Design), recently nominated for a MacGuffin Award, invited five current students to join her at the award ceremony and after-party, which became an opportunity for students to network and learn more about careers in prop design.
Portfolio Reviews took place the week of November 10, bringing together alumni and industry professionals to provide feedback on student work. The program also hosted an alumni panel in November, featuring four graduates who returned to campus to share their professional experiences and connect with current students.
Faculty and alumni achievements underscore the reach of the program beyond the classroom and highlight a learning environment shaped by collaboration, curiosity, and real-world experience.
Read more about the Product Design program.
Related News
