Top Colleges and Programs for Graphic Design Education

Graphic design, also known as communication design, involves using images, text, and media to communicate information or ideas. If a career in graphic design appeals to you, formal education is a great way to start. To become a professional graphic designer, a strong portfolio is essential to showcase your skills to potential employers. While it's possible to build a portfolio independently or through an associate degree, graphic design programs offer structured learning and resources. These programs are available at both dedicated art schools and within larger universities.

How to Choose a Graphic Design Program

Choosing the right graphic design program can be overwhelming. Here are some factors to consider:

Portfolio Strength

Assess your current skill level and experience. Have you been taking art classes for a long time, or is graphic design a relatively new interest? Getting feedback on your portfolio is crucial, and attending portfolio review sessions can be beneficial.

Artistic vs. Traditional College Experience

Determine your preferred learning environment. Do you dream of creating experimental installations for art museums or designing advertisements for major retailers? Do you prefer learning contour line art or the seven principles of design? If you lean towards the former, an artistically oriented program might be a better fit. If you desire a more traditional college experience, a larger university with a graphic design program could be more suitable.

Interdisciplinary Interests

Consider programs that offer flexibility to explore other interests. Some programs allow you to combine graphic design with other fields, expanding your skill set and career options.

Faculty and Location

Research the faculty bios of the professors and lecturers at the programs you're interested in. Identify instructors whose work aligns with your interests. Also, consider where you want to live while attending college. There are numerous options in California and on the East Coast, especially in New York City.

Top Graphic Design Programs

Here's a list of top graphic design programs, offering a range of options to suit different needs and preferences. The following list is presented in alphabetical order within the state of California.

California Programs

1. ArtCenter College of Design (Pasadena, CA)The Graphic Design Department at ArtCenter College of Design offers students the unique opportunity to study abroad at ArtCenter Berlin. Organized as a creative agency, the studio features industry partnerships, sponsored studios, collaborations, and transdisciplinary projects. Students have opportunities to intern or network with companies and studios such as Amazon, Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, IBM, Apple, Microsoft, and Google. Degrees offered include the Graphic Design (Gx) BFA and MFA (MGx). A Gx minor is also available.

2. California College of the Arts (CCA) (San Francisco, CA)CCA offers two paths to study graphic design: the Communication Design (CD) BFA and the Design MFA. The BFA highlights advanced studios that allow students to explore areas such as AR/VR, branding, motion design, and editorial publishing. The Design MFA focuses on graphic, industrial, and interaction design. Students benefit from dedicated studio spaces and access to facilities such as the Prototyping Studio and Hybrid Lab, and the Book Arts and Letterpress Studio.

3. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) (Valencia, CA)The School of Art at CalArts has a Graphic Design program with both BFA and MFA options. The BFA allows students to minor in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or other options. The MFA has an Integrated Media (IM) concentration consisting of specialized coursework, elective courses, seminars, and critiques. Students in both programs benefit from unlimited access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs, opportunities to work with faculty mentors, internships with major design studios, and study abroad opportunities.

4. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO)The College of Liberal Arts has several paths to study graphic design, including the Graphic Communication BS (GrC BS), the Art and Design BFA with a Graphic Design concentration, and the flexible GrC minor. Degree-seeking students have opportunities to complete internships or co-op experiences with companies such as Boeing, Disney, Amazon, Northrop Grumman, or Apple. Other benefits include access to centers and institutes, study abroad programs, and space dedicated to creative work.

5. California Polytechnic State University-Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona)The College of Environmental Design houses the Visual Communication Design Program. Students in this BFA program have the option to concentrate in Graphic Design. Accredited by NASAD, the program explores areas such as illustration, typography, environmental graphic design, packaging, motion graphics, and identity design. Electives allow students to explore additional areas of art and design. The program culminates with a senior capstone.

6. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona)The College of Environmental Design houses the Visual Communication Design Program. Students in this BFA program have the option to concentrate in Graphic Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the program explores areas such as illustration, typography, environmental graphic design, packaging, motion graphics, and identity design. Electives allow students to explore additional areas of art and design such as printmaking, ceramics, video, and sculpture. A juried exhibition takes place each year. The program culminates with a senior capstone.

7. California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton)The Department of Visual Arts is home to the Art BFA, MA, and MFA programs. All students may concentrate in Graphic and Interactive Design. Other program benefits include workshops and seminars, visiting artists, access to production facilities, career development services, internship opportunities, and portfolio critiques.

8. California State University, Fresno (Fresno State)The School of Art, Design and Art History houses a Graphic Design BFA program that features courses such as Professional Advertising Design, Graphic Systems, and User Experience and Interface Design. Courses are led by designers with experience in the advertising, illustration, corporate identity, and packaging industries. Other program benefits include access to media production facilities, the Perenchio Internship Program, and study abroad experiences.

9. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)The School of Art (SoA) has a Graphic Design BFA program that highlights summer study abroad workshops, internships at local and national companies, the guest artist series, and the opportunity to display works across customizable galleries. The program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates can be found at places such as Mattel, Activision, Google, IDEO, Nike, Disney, Fox, Warner Bros.

10. California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA)The College of Arts and Letters houses the Department of Art. The department provides Art BA and MFA degrees with a Design option, including Graphic Design/Visual Communication and Animation. All programs highlight exhibitions of student work, access to labs and studios, professional internships, and study abroad experiences.

11. California State University Northridge (CSUN)The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication (AMC) houses the Department of Art and Design, which houses the Art BA with a concentration in Communication (Graphic) Design. Students may collaborate and gain experience through clubs and organizations such as Student Advertising Graphics Association (SAGA), IntersectLA (IXLA), or the Printmaking Society. Other program benefits include access to labs and studios, professional internships, and study abroad experiences. The program culminates with a portfolio.

12. Chapman University (Chapman)Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is home to the Department of Art. Within the department is a Graphic Design program with BFA and minor options. Both programs feature internship opportunities and study abroad experiences. Graphic design students may also take courses from other majors such as Advertising, Creative Industries, Business, and Marketing.

13. Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD)LCAD has several paths to study graphic design, including the Graphic Design + Digital Media (GD+DM) BFA, Graphic Design BFA with an Illustration emphasis, Graphic Design BFA an Action Sport Design emphasis, and the GD+DM minor. All students benefit from LCADâs partnerships with companies such as Pixar, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Nike, small class sizes, access to studios and facilities, hands-on design projects, and internship opportunities.

14. Loyola Marymount University (LMU)The College of Communications and Fine Arts (CFA) houses the Studio Arts Program. Based on LMUâs Burns Fine Arts Center, this specialized BFA degree has seven concentrations, including Visual Communication Design (Graphic Design). BFA students have access to internship opportunities, the study abroad program, and portfolio workshops. The program culminates with the Senior Design Thesis course and exhibit.

15. Otis College of Art and Design (Otis)The Graphic Design Program at Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) has BFA, MFA, and certificate options. For all programs, students have the opportunity to enhance the curriculums through electives and experiential learning experiences such as internships and studies abroad. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles across industries.

16. San Diego State University (SDSU)The College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA) houses two paths to study graphic design: the Art BA with an emphasis in Graphic Design, and an Art MFA with a focus in Graphic Design. Students enjoy access to computing labs, participation in the visiting lecture series, AIGA membership, and studios for screen printing, intaglio, printmaking, letterpress, and book arts.

17. San Francisco State University (SFSU)The School of Design has several paths to study graphic design, including the Visual Communication Design BS (VCD BS), a Design minor with a VCD pathway, and an interdisciplinary Design MA with a customizable specialization. Program highlights include collaborations with industry partners and community organizations, internships, participation in letterpress printing, interactive media, bookbinding, and rapid prototyping projects, access to DESIGNSPACE, and study abroad experiences.

18. San Jose State University (SJSU)The Graphic Design BFA Program is the only program of its kind in a public university in Silicon Valley. Housed in the College of Humanities and the Artsâ Department of Design, the program features a mandatory internship, lectures and workshops led by studio professionals, collaborations with students in other disciplines, and the opportunity to work on community engagement projects. In addition, students can complete the program entirely online. For students seeking a BA, the SJSU Design Department also offers a Design Studies BA with a Graphic Design specialization.

19. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)The School of the Arts and Architecture is home to the Department of Design Media Arts (DMA). Within the department is a limited enrollment DMA BA and an immersive Media Arts MFA. A Design Communication Arts (DCA) certificate is also available through UCLA Extension. The degree programs explore areas such as visual communication, games, virtuality, and coding for the arts. Most courses are taught as studios. The Media Arts MFA culminates with a thesis project. The BA culminates with a senior project.

20. University of San Francisco (USF)The College of Arts and Sciences houses the Department of Art + Architecture. Within the department is an interdisciplinary Design BA program and a Design minor for students in other creative majors. Students in both programs have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in USFâs Graphic Center. Other program benefits include access to studio facilities, a mandatory internship, participation in design competitions, and the Exhibition Design Practicum.

21. University of Southern California (USC Roski)Founded in 1895, Roski School of Art and Design is one of Southern Californiaâs oldest art and design schools. The school provides BFA and MFA degrees in Design; a BFA/MFA Design Progressive degree; and an interdisciplinary Communication Design minor. Program highlights include hands-on studio courses, internships at places such as DreamWorks and MTV, and study abroad experiences.

Other Notable Programs

While the following schools were not mentioned in the provided text, they are known for their graphic design programs:

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) (Providence, RI): Known as the "Harvard of art schools," RISD consistently ranks at the top for graphic design programs. Students apply to RISD overall and select a major midway through their first year. Graphic Design is one of the largest undergraduate departments at RISD.
Parsons School of Design (New York, NY): Parsons has a strong reputation and top-notch faculty, consistently appearing at the top of best-program rankings.
Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY): The Pratt Institute offers a BFA in Communications Design, an interdisciplinary program focusing on advertising, illustration, and graphic design.
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) (Baltimore, MD): MICA has a modern, urban campus and offers a craft-focused BFA in Graphic Design.
Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA): Carnegie Mellon has an innovative approach to the study and craft of graphic design, integrating the artistic points of design with advanced technologies.
School of Visual Arts (SVA) (New York, NY): SVA has amazing networking opportunities, including a robust internship program and professional-level exhibitions of student work.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (Savannah, GA): SCAD is a large art school with flexible options, including a BA in Visual Communication and a BFA in Graphic Design.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) (Richmond, VA): VCU is a large public university with a strong BFA program in graphic design.
University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH): The University of Cincinnati offers a BS in Communication Design, with many students going on to work in the healthcare industry, for governments, or for NGOs.
Yale University (New Haven, CT): Students major in art with a specialization in graphic design and receive a BA degree. The graphic design program is focused on the craft and theory of design.
College for Creative Studies (CCS) (Detroit, MI): CCS offers a BFA in Graphic Design with a focus on "experience design."
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) (Chicago, IL): SAIC offers a BFA in Visual Communication Design, with a focus on both physical and virtual design mediums.
Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota, FL): Ringling offers a BFA in Graphic Design that aims to turn students into "visual storytellers."
Academy of Art University (San Francisco, CA): Academy of Art University's BFA in Graphic Design is focused on the "intersection between art and commerce."
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) (Rochester, NY): The Graphic Design BFA at RIT is broad in skills education and interdisciplinary in scope.

Beyond the Classroom: Experiential Learning

Many graphic design programs emphasize hands-on experience through internships, co-ops, and community engagement projects. These opportunities provide invaluable real-world experience and networking connections.

Internships

Internships offer students the chance to work in professional settings, applying their skills and gaining practical experience. Many programs require or strongly encourage internships as part of the curriculum.

Read also: The Right Path After GCSEs

Community Engagement

Some programs incorporate community engagement projects, allowing students to use their design skills to address real-world problems and make a positive impact.

Study Abroad

Studying abroad can broaden your perspective and expose you to different design styles and cultures. Some programs offer study abroad opportunities at partner institutions around the world.

Career Paths for Graphic Design Graduates

A graphic design degree can lead to a variety of career paths, including:

Graphic Designer: Creating visual concepts for various media, such as websites, logos, and marketing materials.
Web Designer: Designing and developing websites, focusing on user experience and visual appeal.
User Interface (UI) Designer: Designing the user interface for software applications and websites.
Art Director: Overseeing the visual style and images for various projects, such as advertising campaigns and magazine layouts.
Creative Director: Leading a team of designers and overseeing the overall creative direction of a project or company.
Brand Manager: Developing and managing a brand's identity and image.

Read also: Explore CFK

tags: #colleges #with #graphic #design #majors #programs