Dawn Baillie
After Dawn Baillie (’86 BFA Communication Arts, Illustration) graduated from Otis College she worked for a few ad agencies before striking out on her own and co-founding BLT Communications. A creative agency specializing in entertainment marketing, the firm has been behind posters for such iconic movies as Silence of the Lambs, Dirty Dancing, and Barbie, to name a few.
After decades of sustained success, Baillie founded BLT Helps, a non-profit that provides graphic arts services to other non-profit, charitable, and public service organizations. She also helped Otis College get an ambitious career preparedness program off the ground. Access: A Netflix x Otis Entertainment Certificate Program launched in fall 2023 with a cohort of 18 students from underrepresented communities and across various ages and skill levels. Each student received full-tuition scholarships and will get professional mentorship and a paid apprenticeship after they graduate.
Joyce Chen
For Joyce Chen (’14 BFA Fashion Design), designing the Lunar New Year Barbie holds personal significance. This year marks her fourth year designing the special edition doll, after designing the 2021, 2022, and 2023 versions. “Growing up as an Asian American, it was rare to find toys or dolls that I could connect with,” she says. “Being able to design the Lunar New Year dolls has been so meaningful because I can get in touch with and be inspired by my own culture.”
