Otis Laboratory Press is a fully functioning studio with four
Vandercook proof presses and over 200 fonts. Established in 1984 by
Sheila de Brettville as part of the Communication Arts Department, the Lab
Press has a rich history of small edition book publishing, continuing to
introduce generations of Otis students to the origins of typography and
the notion of the book as a visual communications medium. Conceived
as a laboratory for aesthetic exploration and a place for practical production,
the Lab Press is an integral part of the graphic design curriculum. It provides
a key link between traditional tools and digital media. Students actively
participate and produce award-winning books that have become a permanent
part of rare book collections throughout Southern California.
