Where Otis College Students Find Inspiration in Los Angeles
From world-renowned museums, multiple beaches, and local neighborhoods, there are numerous places that can spark creativity.
For artists and designers studying in Los Angeles, inspiration extends well beyond the studio and classroom. With museums, galleries, beaches, parks, and a variety of neighborhoods and cultural destinations nearby, students at Otis College find inspiring spaces all around them.
We asked students from the class of 2028 where they go for creative inspiration. These students—from the Animation, Illustration, Fashion Design, and Toy Design programs—offered a wide range of options, including some that can be reached on foot and one with a famously expansive view of the city.
Beaches and Parks
The beach was one of the most common responses, with students naming Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Redondo Beach among their favorites. Mountains and hiking also made the list, reflecting the range of outdoor environments students can experience across Los Angeles.
Santa Monica Pier, just a few minutes from campus, combines a set of distinctly L.A. experiences: the Pacific Ocean, entertainment, shopping, and the flurry of activity on Santa Monica’s famed boardwalk, where joggers, bicyclists, and roller skaters rule the road.
Griffith Observatory offers another way to experience the city from a panoramic perspective. Located in Griffith Park, the largest urban-wilderness municipal park in the United States, the Observatory includes exhibitions, a planetarium, and terraces looking out toward the city and the famed Hollywood sign. A popular destination at sunset, the Observatory brings together the natural and built environments of the city, showcased in movies like La La Land and Rebel Without a Cause.
Read More: 10 Outdoor Adventures to Explore Near Otis College’s Los Angeles Campus
Museums and Galleries
Museums (L.A. is home to over 800) and galleries are another source of inspiration. Students specifically mentioned The Getty Museum and The Broad, as well as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Otis students recently attended the grand opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a spectacular 300,000-square-foot architectural landmark.
Located in the heart of the Grand Avenue Arts District in downtown L.A., The Broad, where general admission is always free, is home to more than 2,000 examples of postwar and contemporary art by nearly 200 artists. Visitors can see work by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Bradford, Barbara Kruger, Yayoi Kusama, Kerry James Marshall (’78 BFA Fine Arts), Takashi Murakami, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, and Andy Warhol, among others. The building itself, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, is known for its “veil-and-vault” concept, which integrates the museum’s exhibition and collection-storage spaces.
“At Otis, having close proximity to creative industries and studios and frequent artistic opportunities, such as classes, meetups, workshops, and expos has been important,” says Sosie Berg (’28 Animation).
Berg pointed to figure drawing sessions organized by SketchxLA and CTN Studio, highlighting how inspiration can come through active participation and creative communities, as well as museum and gallery visits.
Read More: Why Otis College’s Los Angeles Location Is Ideal for Studying Art and Design
Neighborhoods and Local Destinations
Little Tokyo was another student recommendation. The historic downtown Los Angeles neighborhood remains a cultural center for Southern California’s Japanese American community. Today, Little Tokyo includes longstanding shops, restaurants, cultural organizations, and the Japanese American National Museum. Walking through the neighborhood offers opportunities to encounter its history and contemporary culture within a relatively compact area.
Not every destination in L.A. is a landmark. Students also mentioned they visit the Westchester branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, just across the street from campus, while others cited the L.A. Zoo and Long Beach Aquarium. The city’s music venues also got shoutouts.
“There are a lot of opportunities to interact with the local art and music scene in L.A.,” says Alejandra Nicely (’28 Illustration). “There are so many concerts, movie theaters, and lots of galleries and exhibitions showing off work in a wide variety of genres.”
Together, the students’ responses show that inspiration in L.A. can be found in many forms, whether through encountering art, observing the city from a vista, or spending time along the coast.
Read More: Three Must-Explore Neighborhoods Near Otis College
