Partner with Otis College and Be Part of the Creative Process

Sponsored Mentor Projects

We support student learning alongside companies that want access to innovative, fresh perspectives and creativity through sponsored projects within our design disciplines.  Alongside our partner, we incorporate the project brief into the curriculum for junior and senior students that runs throughout a semester(s) concluding with a final project outcome at the end of the project term.

Benefits:

    • Engage with diverse talent
    • Generate innovative outcomes for client projects
    • Identify potential recruits for mentorship and recruitment
    • Provide invaluable learning experiences for students

Highlights:

  • Built into the curriculum working alongside Chair, Faculty, and Students.
  • Students spend time researching the project, creating various options for development, documenting their creative process, moving into creation, and final delivery of the project outcome at the end of the term.
  • Opportunity for corporate partners to work with our students and faculty to explore a wide range of creative ideas and outcomes.
  • Projects can range from 3-4 weeks to semester-long collaborations.
  • Provides an opportunity to engage with diverse young talent with fresh perspectives and ideas, creative and innovative outcomes for clients, identifying future talent for recruitment, mentorship, and for students valuable learning opportunities alongside their course.

Otis Design Lab

Otis Design Lab is a student-centered in-house creative agency within the Communications and Marketing Department of Otis College of Art and Design. Design Lab functions like an internship at a commercial art and design studio. All projects are overseen and directed by the Lab’s Creative Director and executed by a team of students representing diverse fields of study.

Benefits:

    • Access top emerging designers and faculty expertise
    • Gain a multidisciplinary perspective from students across diverse fields
    • Leverage student talents for design-specific projects

Foundation and Government Giving

Financial support from private foundations and government agencies helps Otis College serve our diverse student body to the fullest extent, helping us provide a vibrant learning environment that inspires both personal growth and social responsibility. Strategic philanthropy furthers our mission in meaningful ways, providing flexible funds to address the College’s greatest operational needs:

  • Scholarships for talented students who would not otherwise be able to pursue their dreams of higher education and a career within the creative economy
  • Resources for academic programs and curricular enhancements
  • Support for our diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives
  • Investments in capital expansion

 We provide a space for foundations and government agencies to connect with faculty and staff to find the best alignment for their strategic philanthropic priorities. We partner to fulfill their funding objectives and help launch our diverse community of emerging artists and designers into dynamic careers. For more information about providing foundation or government support, please contact Félice Myers, Director of Foundation Relations, at: 310-846-2640 or fmyers@otis.edu.

Otis Atelier 

During the spring semester, Otis College holds the annual scholarship fundraising event, Otis Atelier. Otis Atelier is a night to celebrate the creativity, diversity, and talent of our students and raise much needed funds for scholarships for first generation students. First generation students are those who are the first in their family to complete a bachelor’s degree. The evening includes cocktails, dinner, musical entertainment, and a fashion show. Otis Atelier showcases women’s, men’s, and junior wear designed and fabricated by Otis Fashion Design students under the direction of renowned mentors and instructors. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact benefit@otis.edu for more information.

Learn More

Design Sprints

Short-term design sprints are collaborative, multidisciplinary sessions focused on brainstorming and ideation around a specific project idea generating rapid ideas and creative solutions.  These 1-3 day sessions collaborate with students and faculty offering diverse perspectives to generate targeted and specific solutions.

Benefits:

  • Rapidly generate new ideas and creative solutions
  • Collaborate with faculty and students for a fresh perspective

Bespoke Summer Programs

Otis educates a wide range of learners year-round. From our extension classes for adults, youth, and teens to our youth summer programs such as Summer of Art or company-sponsored programs such as Snap Lens Lab, we continue to build a pipeline of talented creators.

Whether you aim to nurture the creative talents of high school students or to equip post-college professionals with the latest trends and technologies, Otis provides the flexibility to develop a customized curriculum tailored to your goals. 

Benefits:

    • Nurture the next generation of creative talent
    • Equip professionals with cutting-edge skills and knowledge
    • Collaborate on customized programs aligned with your goals