In 1969, we were urban pioneers starting a one-of-a-kind college with two Downtown L.A. classrooms. We've grown to become 4 CAMPUSES strategically built in the heart of the fashion, design, beauty, action sports, and entertainment industries.
Industry leaders help shape our curriculum and create opportunities for internships, networking, and recruiting. Our campus locations are an ideal home base from which to launch your career.
OC: HOSTS WORLD'S LARGEST SURF COMPETITION, U.S. OPEN OF SURFING
We work hand in hand with companies headquartered in CALIFORNIA —THE 5TH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD.
Our SAN FRANCISCO CAMPUS is located near leaders in the industries of social media, beauty, and fashion, including Benefit Cosmetics, Levi Strauss & Co, Pinterest, Method, and Industrial Light & Magic. Students at the LOS ANGELES CAMPUS intern and work in digital cinema, and at fashion and beauty labels such as GUESS, Stila, Smashbox, and 7 For All Mankind, and for celebrity-owned brands such as OUAI and Kendall + Kylie. The ORANGE COUNTY and SAN DIEGO CAMPUSES are centered in the heart of the action sports apparel industry. A mecca for those pursuing the skate, surf, snow, and motocross apparel industries, this part of California is home to companies including Vans, Volcom, Hurley, Roxy, Oakley, and Fox Racing—and there is no shortage of opportunities for those prepared to enter that field.
18+ MILLION EMPLOYED IN CALIFORNIA
SF: 1 in 11 JOBS RELATED TO ART AND DESIGN
SD: COMIC-CON IS THE LARGEST ENTERTAINMENT & COMIC CONVENTION OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD
SF: 7 X 7 SQUARE MILES OF WORLD CLASS MUSEUMS, BALLET, SYMPHONY, TOP TECHNOLOGY, AND BESPOKE FASHION
We combine APPLIED LEARNING, INDUSTRY COLLABORATION, SUSTAINABILITY, and DESIGN THINKING to produce the next generation of social innovators, digital media specialists, designers, product developers, and more—in the center of one of the most vibrant cultural centers in the world: Los Angeles.
LA attracts a community of creators and business executives who are changing the face of the beauty, gaming, fashion, entertainment, and tech industries. Students pursuing these specialties launch their careers from day one at FIDM. The options are endless to work hand in hand with the industry in internships, collaborations, and mentorships—often just blocks from campus. Enterprising students start networking immediately, beginning in the classroom with their instructors who are working professionals in their fields.
We are the only college that offers The Business of Denim, an Advanced Study Program in denim design and development with a focus on sustainability. It is offered on the LA campus because LA is the birthplace of premium denim and the hub of denim manufacturing.
The University Network has named FIDM as one of the top sustainable fashion schools in the world.
"LA is in such close proximity to an array of industries and studios—I found work with an aerospace company designing flight suits, something I never thought I would do. I know people who work on movie sets, or home decorating TV shows, or have started their own brand—this is because the city of LA is so diverse and full of opportunity." -Jordan Joseph Alumna and Creative Manager of Design & Production at Virgin Orbit
$60+ BILLION DENIM INDUSTRY
4,500+ DESIGNERS REPRESENTED IN THE FASHION DISTRICT
$59.6 BILLION WAGES EARNED IN LOS ANGELES
36.9% DIGITAL MEDIA JOB GROWTH
THE MAIN CAMPUS IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES.
220,000+ ENTERTAINMENT & DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALISTS EMPLOYED IN LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES HOME TO THE LARGEST JEWELRY DISTRICT IN THE U.S.
DT LA
ONE COLLEGE 4 CAMPUSES
LOS ANGELES | ORANGE COUNTY | SAN FRANCISCO | SAN DIEGO
Our visually stunning campuses are engineered to inspire productivity and collaboration. Natural light fills our studio spaces and the deliberate use of color stimulates creativity.
