Best Graphic Design Colleges?

The Best Graphic Design Colleges & Universities

• Answer:

  According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the graphic design field are expected to grow by 13 percent by 2018, particularly in the areas of web design and animation. Competition for these positions is expected to be fierce, so a top education should be a priority for any aspiring graphic designer. Many colleges and universities offer design degrees, but a few consistently rank highest. Rhode Island School of Design Rhode Island School of Design, or RISD (riz-dee) as it's known for short, is one of the country's oldest art schools, founded in 1877 in Providence, and it is "U.S. News & World Report's" top-ranked school. It offers graphic design students three degree options: bachelor of fine arts (BFA), bachelor of graphic design and master of fine arts (MFA). A fourth degree, unique to RISD, adds one more year of study to the BFA, allowing dedicated students to deepen their design skills and understanding. The school is adjacent to the Brown University campus, and a great advantage of attending RISD is that students can take classes and use the facilities of their Ivy League neighbor at no extra charge. Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon, in Pittsburgh, is ranked first in graphic design by College Crunch and offers design degrees from BFAs to Ph.D.s. The university began as a technical school, and while that may seem like an odd place to study art or design, Carnegie Mellon's design program has been consistently ranked as one of the top five programs in the nation by "U.S. News & World Report." Potential students will want to note that Carnegie Mellon uses the term "communication design" rather than "graphic design." Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth is a research-driven university, and its design program is no exception. The school offers a BFA in graphic design and an MFA in design and visual communications. The MFA in particular is geared toward students who are interested in furthering visual and theoretical research, while the BFA program focuses on the creation of effective visual communication. The university's arts department has a long list of achievements, awards and honors, and its relatively low tuition makes it an attractive option for potential students. It is ranked second by College Crunch and fourth by "U.S. News & World Report." Cranbrook Academy of Art Students at Cranbrook Academy of Art, in Michigan, work with artists-in-residence in small, interdisciplinary studios, with a focus on creating art and design. The program is unique in that no formal classes are held. Students are expected to work at their own pace, which makes this program suitable for highly self-motivated, independent designers. Its unique program is ranked second by "U.S. News & World Report" and sixth by College Crunch. Maryland Institute College of Art Located in Baltimore and founded in 1826, the Maryland Institute College of Art offers both a BFA and MFA in graphic design. Undergraduate students also have the option to choose a concentration, such as book arts. A three-year sequence of courses creates the main design curriculum for undergraduates, while electives in other disciplines and departments are encouraged. The program is pragmatic and hands-on and prides itself on world-renowned faculty. It's ranked sixth by "U.S. News & World Report" and fifth by College Crunch.