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The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is one of the oldest accredited independent schools of art and design in the country. Founded in 1866, the school has been recognized as “the most influential art college in the United States,” by Columbia University’s National Arts Journalism survey. SCAD graduates are prepared to join elite agencies, multinational companies, or start their own businesses as they lead branding, visual marketing, interactive media, and immersive campaigns.
Interview With a Professional in Graphic Design

MGx students also have the opportunity to complete Graphic Design Internship OR Studio Independent Study OR Testlab Berlin. Founded in 1930, ArtCenter College of Design has campuses in Berlin and Pasadena, and satellite studios in Los Angeles at the Peterson Automotive Museum. The school serves approximately 2,250 students representing more than 40 countries. Academic offerings include 11 undergraduate and seven graduate degree programs in a variety of Applied Arts, Industrial, and Visual Design Disciplines. A joint MS/MBA program with the Drucker-Ito School of Management is also available. We considered over 700 colleges with graphic design programs for this year's rankings.
Art (Digital Photography) (BFA)
With us you will gain a commercial graphic design portfolio, a website and a skill-set equivalent to a Junior Designer. Don’t believe yourself to have the creative capacity to whip up an impressive portfolio? And what if you’re at a loss as to where to begin when it comes to learning design software? Not to mention if you want to study in another country, you may be required to take a formal literacy test. When it comes to an honours year or major project—this is typically a year long affair. Where the design student will direct and complete a creative project from start to finish.
Visual and Performing Arts
Students also have the opportunity to study abroad in England at Chelsea College of Art & Design, the London College of Communication, or Nottingham Trent University. Students in the program “follow a curriculum that provides variety and depth in all aspects of the field, supported by Fine Arts electives,” says the school. This includes branding, illustration, motion, packaging, publication, typography, UI/UX, and packaging, app, and wayfinding design. Students in both programs will have the opportunity to compete for more than 100 seats in the SoA+AH+D study abroad program to explore art, art history, and design in an international context.
Resources for Graphic Design Majors
“Surge”: A Celebration of Susquehanna's Senior Graphic Design and Studio Art Majors - The Quill
“Surge”: A Celebration of Susquehanna's Senior Graphic Design and Studio Art Majors.
Posted: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 20:03:15 GMT [source]
They hone their creative skills while mastering image editing and modeling software. While employers can easily quantify hard skills, like software proficiency, many roles also require candidates to demonstrate soft skills, such as time management and oral communication abilities. The following list of competencies includes some of the skills students gain in graphic design programs. Syracuse University (SU) established some of the nation’s earliest architecture and fine arts programs. Founded in 1870, the school serves approximately 22,322 students enrolled in more than 200 majors and minors, and 200 advanced degree programs across 13 academic units. Programs are offered at SU’s main campus in Syracuse and at locations in New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.
The school houses 36 research centers along with more than 15 colleges and schools. The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts houses the School of Art, which offers a BFA in Graphic Design and an MFA in Studio Art with a Concentration in Graphic Design. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) began with the merging of the Rochester Athenaeum (est. 1829), and a technical training school known as Mechanics Institute (est. 1885).
The BFA Program culminates in a Senior Capstone, which may be an illustrated book, graphic novel/mini-comic, screen-based presentation, digital experience or zine. The final project is displayed in a public exhibition and reviewed by external design professionals. Students in the MFA program “concentrate on the philosophical, communicative, and aesthetic relationships of visual problem solving and the interacting skills leading to the effective articulation of concepts,” says the school.
Senior graphic designers must possess strong leadership skills to mentor new team members. BFA students have three areas of professional study to choose from including Art Direction, Graphic Design, and Interactive Media. Course topics in art direction, brand experience, corporate identity, design research, environmental graphics, human centered design, interactive design, sustainable packaging and typography prepare students for professional practice within a designer/client relationship. Students may further their education with independent study courses and professional internships. Students in both the BA and BFA programs have the opportunity to intern at firms such as Foote, Cone & Belding and Leo Burnett, and with clients like Procter & Gamble. Besides real-world experience, graphic design students will graduate from the program with polished portfolio to share with potential employers.

Start by building up experience as a freelancer and develop your portfolio. You may want to take an online course or earn a certificate from an accredited school. Perhaps you have wondered how a postsecondary education could benefit you in this field. Earning an advanced degree in graphic design can greatly improve your employment prospects, salary, and professional satisfaction. In 2022, 22 Graphic Design students graduated with students earning 22 Bachelor's degrees.
They can also apply their skills to web development by creating attractive and user-friendly apps and websites. According to the BLS, graphic designers earned a median annual salary of $53,380, as of May 2020. Advertising and public relations are reported to be the highest-paying industries for these professionals. A bachelor's degree in graphic design combines technical competencies with creative abilities. Students can learn to use a variety of graphics software to make their artistic vision a reality. You can find these programs at liberal arts colleges, large universities, and schools that focus on creative pursuits.
Many use Adobe Suite software, including Indesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. These workers may also need photography skills to create original source material, especially if they work at smaller companies. Branding professionals use graphic design to establish and reflect a client's desired image. Branding explores visual marketing strategies and design elements used to convey brand identity and consistency to consumer audiences. Read on to learn more information about potential careers for a graphic design major. University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers 2 Graphic Design degree programs.
The main goal of any kind of further study is geared towards an intended career and ultimately employment. Upon graduation, a student designer should have an understanding of how the design industry works and how to attract and conduct paid opportunities. A student will typically undertake graphic design college courses that prepare them for the real world.
Besides Graphic Design, options include Drawing, Film and Video, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students may also enroll in advanced studio classes with the same course number multiple times. Other program highlights include intensive studio courses and the opportunity to complete a professional internship. The BFA is a pre-professional degree program encompassing typography, image creation/manipulation, interaction design and 3D design that is intended to prepare students for employment in the field of design.