OTIS vs. ART CENTER 2011

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Okay, so I searched Otis and Art Center (in Pasadena)
on the forums and those were dated 2007.</p>

<p>So now I want to know what people are saying about it
now?</p>

<p>I am attending a community college right now and have
decided I want to go into Graphic/Web Design.</p>

<p>I really wanted to just attend a UC or CSU but theirs...
doesn't seem that great.</p>

<p>My boyfriend told me about OTIS so I looked it up and
it looks nice.</p>

<p>I later on found the website for Art Center and it looks
great too! (a little intimidating with admissions)</p>

<p>SO... price is definately a factor to consider, but asides
that which one is better?</p>

<p>I was excited to hear bout Otis in LA but kind of bummed
to hear that Art Center is in Pasadena?</p>

<p>I am living in the San Fernando Valley... and kind of boring.</p>

<p>I was hoping life in LA would be better but since Art Center
seems to be getting all the attention, is Pasadena worth it?</p>

2

<p>Otis’ main campus is not in the heart of Los Angeles. It’s probably the same distance to the heart of LA, as Art Center is to the heart of LA(unless of course you consider the westside/beach area the heart of LA).
Otis’ students tend to be much younger and fresh out of high school, moreso than I think Art Center is(or so I’ve heard).
I can’t speak for Art Center, or for the graphic design program at Otis, but what I did know entering Otis(for a different major) is that Art Center generally was “the-go-to school” for graphic design. I think you will most likely find Art Center rejects at Otis, moreso than Otis rejects at Art Center. I’m not sure if this has changed within the last 5 years or so. What I will say is that there are talented kids at Otis.
So much of the design world/field(outside of school) is what you have to offer, not so much what school you came from. The school only has to offer you the education and whatever resources(career) they have. Just like with regular universities, you can go to some of the best schools in the country, but if you don’t have the drive/will/motivatoin to get out there and use your education/available resources offered to you, then you’re on your own. Employers won’t hire you just because you went to X school. Employers will hire you based on what you have to offer them(skills/portfolio/work experience, etc).</p>

3

<p>Great post, littlesooyon92! I’m having the same questions about Otis / Art Center. I’m a freshman at CCC and planning to transfer to art school next fall. I’m interested in Digital Media Art in general, but will choose Advertising (at Art Center) or Communication Art (at Otis). </p>

<p>My other options would be UCLA DMA, SCAD in Atlanta (motion media design), or Arizona State Univ. (Intermedia). Anybody has comments/opinion in terms of which one is better?</p>

<p>Otis does have a good program (from what I learned), but they charge relatively the same compare to UCLA & Art Center (which have better names). So that one is a set back.</p>

<p>I’m curious about Otis reputation and the opportunities for graduates after college. How does the school help its students to get job after graduation?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any input!</p>

4

<p>liek0806, thanks for you input, as for the “it doesn’t matter which school you go to” I think for me it has to matter just because I don’t have any experience or skills ahead of time. Therefore I want to go to a school that will be able to teach me everything I need to know. If I had plenty of experience I would probably go to a school that costs less just to get the “degree” I need.</p>

<p>ebissu, I actually don’t know anything about the other colleges outside of California because I recently moved here haha, so I plan on staying here. I have checked the price ranges for Otis and Art Center separately but I haven’t compared them yet:/ I’m also curious about the Otis Rep and why people keep saying its so bad/good?</p>

5

<p>Littlesooyon, In my personal opinion, Both Art Center and OTIS are great, great schools. However, Art Center, I believe, has the leverage because it has not only the name, but the fact that they pay the teachers to “NOT” care about the students. Why? because it creates an environment where the students experience what it is to work professionally. I have seen various college panels and I get sick and tired of all these colleges saying that their Teachers and staff “care” about the student, but either way it turns out they care, but then make it too soft for the student, or don’t care, and doesn’t teach them. </p>

<p>I visited and sat in the classes of art center myself and I must tell you, it’s hard beyond belief, challenging, it requires incredible amounts of dedication and most importantly, it works. </p>

<p>I cannot say which is better in terms of Graphic design, but if you have any doubt, It’s more important to see if you are more comfortable in one college or the other. If you visit Art Center but more comfortable at OTIS, you should go to OTIS. You do not want to go to college and find out that you feel like **** there. It would totally blow. </p>

<p>Pasadena, that is if you don’t like the bustling of the city, is much much more quieter and a very nice place. I don’t REALLY Have an opinion of OTIS but i think OTIS has a nice campus too, but a little more busier than Art Center. </p>

<p>Price is definitely a factor. If you absolutely CANNOT afford Art Center (It’s actually more expensive than on paper on average 48,000 per year) than by all means go to OTIS. </p>

<p>Because I do not really know much about Graphic Design, I can’t really make other suggestions though I actually do hear that Art center does have a great Graphic Design Class, but I’ve seen the OTIS work and i must say it’s pretty dang good. </p>

<p>good luck :D</p>

6

<p>sorry I need to repharase some of my words.</p>

<p>In my personal opinion, Both Art Center and OTIS are great, great schools. However, Art Center, I believe, has the leverage because it has not only the name, but the fact that they pay the teachers to NOT nurture and guide the student the entire way. Why? because it creates an environment where the students experience what it is to work professionally. I have seen various college panels and I get sick and tired of all these colleges saying that their Teachers and staff “care” and are really “kind” to the student, but either way it turns out they care, but then make it too soft for the student, or don’t care, and doesn’t teach them. </p>

<p>One reason you would want to go to OTIS is because you do not know what path you wish to choose, however, if you have chosen to go into illustration and know that that is what you want to do, Art Center would be my personal preferred choice by far. Their departments hold incredible teachers who really know how to challenge the students and push them. However, I don’t believe anyone would argue that Art Center is one of, if not, the most rigorous art college you could attend. When I was visiting Art Center and sat in a class, the teacher drop failed a group of 4 or 5 students because they came in late to class one day with a cup of coffee. Late. Another instance, the teacher was angry at the class’ work that they turned in that he took a giant sharpie and ran it through everyone’s pieces (they were hanging up on the wall) and drew all over them while some of them fell to the floor. Sleepless nights are guaranteed, and from what i saw, around one out of two people will cry. </p>

<p>The reason why is that Art Center DOESNT nurture you and baby you through your entire time there is that they leave you in a pit and let you fight for yourself throughout the training as they guide you, not in learning to make pieces, but learning how to learn. Its hard to the point of where you want to, in this case, quit, but they pay off is phenomenal.</p>

<p>If you have any doubt, It’s more important to see if you are more comfortable in one college or the other. If you visit Art Center but more comfortable at OTIS, you should go to OTIS. You do not want to go to college and find out that you feel like **** there. It would totally blow. </p>

<p>As you could probably tell, I favor Art Center, in fact, I’m actually deciding to go there, so a little biased. And do not get me wrong. OTIS is in no way a bad school by any far stretch of the imagination, but compared to Art Center, I’d take Art Center.
(I’m kinda in the same situation as you :P)
Good luck, and most of all, have fun<-----!!!
(please ignore my prior message :frowning: )</p>

7

<p>I know a bit about both schools and have actually seen Otis.</p>

<p>First understand that Otis doesn’t have a campus . It is a big building found near LAX airport. They have a number of artistic programs,but they are most well known for toy design and costume design/fashion design. They do have digital media and graphic design majors that I would bet are good programs.</p>

<p>Art Center is widely considered the RISD of the West. They have what is considered the best Industrial Design program in the West and possibly in the US. I would bet their graphic design is top notch too. In fact, from what I know, they probably have a more well regarded program in graphic design than OTIS.</p>

<p>Art Center does have an Interactive Design major that is very web design oriented. I would bet it is top notch.</p>

<p>Friends who attended Art Center have noted that it its programs are very hard and intensive. </p>

<p>My opinion is that Art Center would be the better regarded school assuming approximatly equal costs.</p>

<p>By the way, you said you looked at UC. Which school is this? Was this University of Cincinnati by any chance? If so, I can tell you that they too have a strong program especially since they have great employment connections with their coop program.</p>

8

<p>If you live in the SF Valley, then Pasadena (Arts Center) is closer to you than Westchester/LAX (Otis) if you were planning to commute. The traffic thru the Westside is horrendous during rush hour.</p>