Harness your natural ability to create the images you see and imagine through a focused study of illustration.
The Illustration program builds fearless artists and thinkers. We shape skills in illustration and communication while encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit. Through visiting artists, conventions, field trips, and student exhibitions, the program offers exceptional hands-on learning and inspiration.
Illustration at Otis
The Illustration program instills confidence and sophistication by emphasizing media fluency and collaboration between disciplines. You will sharpen your skills and develop your own voice through critiques, reviews, workshops, and experiential learning. Los Angeles’s thriving creative community provides added exposure to real-world applications of illustration—from animation and contemporary art to entertainment and marketing. In Los Angeles, there’s inspiration for your creativity and career everywhere you look. Recent employers and clients of our alumni include Netflix, Disney, and Nike.
What You’ll Learn
Our intensive curriculum encourages you to cultivate your personal style and communication skills to meet the needs of a variety of industries and contexts. Faculty help you refine your self-directed creative practice in classes that emphasize strong concepts, technical proficiency, and the development of your unique voice.
- 1st Year: Core / Foundation
- 2nd Year: Immersion and Experimentation
- 3rd Year: Professional Preparation and Public Presentation
- 4th Year: Innovation and Independence
How We Rank
Otis Design Lab
An innovative collaboration between students, staff, faculty, and external clients, Design Lab functions like a commercial art and design agency within Otis College. Projects are overseen and directed by the Creative Director and executed by a team of students from different fields of study.
Career Possibilities
The Otis College BFA in Illustration prepares students for roles as professional illustrators, art directors, animators, motion graphic artists, storyboard artists, children’s book illustrators, textile and fabric designers, and muralists.
- ABC, Inc. and partner
- Anthropologie
- Apple
- Autry National Center
- Bau-Da Design Lab
- Capitol Records
- Chiat/Day
- Condé Nast Publications
- Deutsch LA
- DeVa Communications
- Disney
- Eisbar
- Gehry Partners
- GUESS
- Green Dragon
- Guitar Center
- Hallmark
- I Design Studio
- IE Design + Communications
- Interscope Records
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Los Angeles Magazine
- Mattel
- Maverick Records
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Metro Transit Authority
- MOCA Los Angeles
- Ogilvy Worldwide
- Netflix
- Nuby Technology
- Polymode
- Quiksilver
- SnapChat
- Sony Music
- Stillroom
- Target
- Tornado Design
- Twentieth Century Studios
- Univision 34, KMEX-TV
- U.S. News and World Report
- Von Dutch
- Warner Bros. Records
- WB Network
- Young & Rubicam
Illustration Faculty
Our faculty are working professionals in a variety of fields. They bring practical insights to the classroom that help you focus your process and work.
Acting Chair of Graphic Design and Illustration, Professor and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies & Art and Design Education Minor Area Head Assistant Department Chair, Graphic Design & Illustration
Michele Jaquis
Hazel Mandujano
Keep Exploring
Otis prepares artists and designers for successful careers, empowering you to make a living—and make an impact—across established and emerging creative fields. Take the next stept to create your future at Otis College of Art and Design.
Explore upcoming admission deadlines as well as next steps to submitting a successful application and portfolio.
Financial aid opportunities at Otis include academic scholarships, need-based grants, loans, and work study opportunities.
Follow your talents to a satisfying career with an education from Otis College of Art and Design.