BFA in Illustration

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

Program Curriculum

Student Work

River drawing
Student snake drawing
Student illustration

How We Rank

Otis College of Art and Design is consistently ranked one of the country's top colleges in the Illustration School Rankings published by the Animation Career Review.
Otis College of Art and Design is consistently ranked one of the country's top colleges in the Illustration School Rankings published by the Animation Career Review.
#3100Top 10 on the West Coast
#3
Top 10 on the West Coast
#15100Top 50 Nationally
#15
Top 50 Nationally
#14100Top 25 Nationally Among Private Schools and Colleges
#14
Top 25 Nationally Among Private Schools and Colleges

Design Lab students at printer's facility

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.

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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
  • Facebook
  • Gehry Partners
  • GUESS
  • Google 
  • 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

Careers and Internships

 

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.

Brendan Griffiths

Brendan Griffiths

Department Chair

Department: BFA Graphic Design, MFA Graphic Design, BFA Illustration
Email: bgriffiths@otis.edu

Hazel Mandujano faculty portrait

Hazel Mandujano

Assistant Department Chair

Department: BFA Graphic Design, MFA Graphic Design, BFA Illustration
Email: hmandujano@otis.edu

View All Faculty

Contact Us

Wherever you are in your college search, we want to meet you! Our counselors are here to answer your questions about Otis College and help you with the application process.

Phone: 310-665-6820
SMS: 323-870-6820

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