OTIS or Parsons for illustration?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

Hello! I was accepted into SVA, Parsons, and Otis as a transfer student for the illustration program at all of the schools. SVA was my top choice, but unfortunately it would be far too expensive and they did not give me good enough financial aid and I did not receive a scholarship. So now that SVA is out of the picture, I am having a hard time deciding between going to OTIS or going to Parsons. both schools gave me better aid and I received merit scholarships.

Does anyone know anything about either schools’ Illustration program? I visited both schools, but beyond some basic information not much was said about Illustration. The curriculum seems pretty similar so I don’t have a lot to base my decision off of education-wise. So if anyone has any insights, please let me know.

In terms of location, I am from Los Angeles, but I went to school is NYC last year so I am not unfamiliar with the culture of the city and the way it works. I love both cities and would be happy in either one, so I am more concerned about the quality of education. I know both OTIS and Parsons are well know for the Fashion Design programs, so I’m having a hard time coming across anything about their illustration programs.

Thank you!

2

Don’t know much about Otis - Parson’s is pretty highly ranked for its graphic design and that discipline obviously has some things in common with illustration (especially as the latter continues to make use of newer media). When my daughter and I visited we learned all about the history of the New School and its foundation (some of which I knew already but it was enlightening nonetheless). It continues to be devoted to progressive social issues and this emphasis will influence all its departments to some extent. But you see a large focus on social awareness and political issues pretty much at all art schools so I’m not sure this really distinguishes Parson’s from other schools at this point (maybe once upon a time or closer to its founding)

Parson’s has a big contingent from both coasts so you might feel right at home. It’s in a pretty busy part of NYC w/o a defined campus but that big new building that they have is really cool.

You should try to get a look-see at as much illustration work as possible from both schools. Which works do you like better? That might be an important criteria.

What school in NYC did you go to last year?