These days, graphic design as a field is gaining more and more popularity. Graphic designers are people who are capable of creating digital drawings.
Every industry and company needs such professionals. Graphic designers design the logo, brand image, and brand communications for a company.
They make the images that a company post on its social media handles and other communication platforms.
According to Graphic Design Junction, graphic design is a leading profession today with nearly 260,000 people employed as graphic designers in the U.S.
It generates annual revenue of $11 billion. Moreover, the number of self-employed graphic designers is almost 25%.
The most important skills that a graphic designer must have includes creativity, a keen eye for design, an understanding of the various design elements, and a good grasp of color theory.
According to Bluesky Graphic, creativity is important in design because it allows us to come up with new and innovative ideas.
A study published in Psychological Science looked at data from more than 7,000 people and found that those who scored higher on tests of creative thinking also tended to score higher on intelligence tests.
The researchers say this suggests that creativity is related to general cognitive ability – which means that the more intelligent you are, the more likely you are to be creative.
In addition to this, they must also understand typography and know which tools they can use for creating specific kinds of content.
Fortunately, many educational institutions have recognized the industry’s need for graphic designers and curated brilliant graphic design programs.
In this article, we have mentioned some of the most popular graphic design courses in the United States.
Parsons School of Design
You might already have heard about the Parsons School of Design, which is located in Manhattan, New York.
The name of program related to graphic design that this school offers is called Communication Design.
This school of design offers 4-year long graduate degree programs and also 2 year-long post-graduate degree programs.
This University also offers placement support to its students.
Facebook, Google, and New York Magazine have previously hired alumni from this university.
See also: 6 Graphic Design Tools Our Team Can’t Live Without
California Institute of Arts
CalArts, or the California Institute of Arts, is a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Currently, it is one of the top design schools in the country and the world.
It is famous for allowing students to work with design and animation studios like Disney and Pixar.
The curriculum here is very competitive.
Students often spend all their time focusing on improving their art and outsource general academic writing work to writers who can write a good quality cheap essay for them.
Such students typically manage to have excellent grades and enough time to practice their craft.
CalArts offers many short-term graphic design courses and UI/UX design courses on online learning platforms like Udemy and Coursera.
In fact, their graphic design course on Coursera is globally famous and sought out by different students who want to explore the field of graphic design.
See also: 10 Fantastic Tips to Become a Successful Freelance Graphic Designer
The New School
The New School is located in New York.
This school is best known for its various art programs.
These art programs are best suited for people who wish to pursue various art forms including but not limited to graphic design, creative writing, philosophy, art, and more.
The professors at The New School usually also take independent tuition classes where they share ways to improve design, as well as writing tips for budding writers and more.
See also: 5 Jobs You Can Get Into with a Graphic Design Major
School of Art Institute of Chicago
This School of Art is located in Chicago, Illinois.
The school is associated with the Art Institute Museum in Chicago. It offers basic and advanced-level courses in visual communication, visual design, and design for impact communication.
One of the unique opportunities that this school provides for its students is a plethora of internship and freelance options.
This sets it apart from other competitors in the same domain.
The school is also well renowned among graphic designers worldwide, who often come here to give guest lectures.
Other schools and programs for graphic design are offered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (popularly called MIT), Rhode Island School of Design, and The Pratt Institute.
There are also other famous design schools in Europe.
See also: Why Do Graphic Designers Opt for Mac Over PC?
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) was founded in 1877 and is today one of the world’s most prestigious private art and design schools.
The RISD School of Art and Design has consistently ranked among the country’s best.
This university offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a variety of creative fields, including painting, sculpture, architecture, industrial design, and graphic design.
RISD’s graphic design program focuses on providing students with a solid foundation in design principles and techniques.
Using various tools and software, students create innovative solutions to visual problems by thinking creatively and critically.
Design for publishing, package design, and motion, sound, and vision are all included in the curriculum.
The Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private, not-for-profit school of art and design that offers programs leading to certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in a variety of creative fields, as well as graphic design.
Pratt’s graphic design program is one of the oldest.
The reason is, Students benefit from small class sizes, individualized attention from faculty, and many opportunities to gain real-world experience through internships and other hands-on learning opportunities.
Graphic design courses at Pratt Institute cover a wide range of topics, from the history and theory of graphic design to the latest trends and technologies.
In addition, Students learn about color, typography, layout, and branding. They can also test their skills by collaborating with other clients and designers.
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) was founded in 1826 as the Maryland Institute for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, making it one of the oldest art colleges in the United States.
The MICA offers undergraduate and graduates degrees in fine arts, graphic design, photography, interior design, and creative writing.
MICA offers nationally renowned programs in graphic design and visual communications. Among the topics covered in the course are design principles, color theory, printmaking, and web design.
In this course, students learn how to conceptualize and create visual solutions to communication challenges.
Additionally, they develop strong problem-solving skills and an understanding of graphic design software and technology.
Carnegie Mellon School of Design
The Carnegie Mellon School of Design offers students the opportunity to study graphic design from some of the best professionals such as John Maeda, Massimo Vignelli, and Milton Glaser.
This school is the best design school in the world because the school curriculum emphasizes the theoretical and practical aspects of graphic design.
Courses also cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of design theory to more advanced concepts such as illustration, typography, visual communication, and more.
Thus, students can also learn about various software programs in graphic design, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
As a final project, students create a portfolio that they can use to showcase their talents to potential employers.
Yale University School of Art
Yale School of the Arts is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in the United States as it offers programs in graphic design, painting, sculpture, and printmaking.
This school’s Graphic Design program is the best in the United States.
Graphic design courses at Yale University School of Art teach students to create visual compositions to communicate messages such as letterform design, communicating with time, motion and sound, and typography.
Students receive a comprehensive education in design theory and practice, emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving.
Several leading practitioners and scholars teach and guide students in the Faculty.
School of Visual Arts
School of Visual Arts (SVA) offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine art, computer art, graphic design, illustration, and photography.
SVA has a strong reputation in the graphic design community, as its alumni include Milton Glaser, Paula Scher, and Chip Kidd.
Its graphic design courses teach typography, layout and composition, image creation, print production, and contemporary issues in graphic design. Students can also study web design, motion graphics, and branding in other classes.
The School’s School of Fine Arts involves experienced professionals who are actively working in the graphic design industry.
As a result, they can provide students with insight into the latest trends and technologies.
ArtCenter College of Design
ArtCenter College of Design is a private institution that offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various creative fields, including graphic design, illustration, advertising, photography, automotive design, etc.
Graphic design courses at the ArtCenter College of Design teach basic design principles to more advanced concepts such as web design, branding, and marketing.
The faculty at ArtCenter engages working professionals who are leaders in their respective fields.
ArtCenter College of Design was founded in 1930 and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Savannah College of Art and Design is a private not-for-profit organization that offers graphic design.
Founded in 1978, this college is the best school for graphic designers.
Graphic design courses at Savannah College of Art and Design teach instruction in design, layout, color theory, computer graphics, typography, printing processes, and web design.
For students who wish to experience another culture and learn graphic design abroad, this course also offers study abroad programs.
This faculty involves working professionals who are experts in their fields.
The curriculum teaches students about a career in graphic design.
A few concluding thoughts
You will have multiple opportunities to grow in your career if you pursue graphic design as a profession.
In order to learn the craft of graphic design, you must prioritize getting into a good school.
When choosing a school, be sure to consider fees, opportunities, cost of living, and more before finalizing your choice. We wish you all the best on your journey.
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Joanne Elliot is a graphic designer and freelance writer. She has over 6 years of experience in the creative industry. When she was a student, she did not have the privilege of studying specialized graphic design courses. She learned all her skills by doing multiple courses and through her workplace. For this reason, she wants to make the lives of current students a little easier. When she has some extra time, she freelances as a writer.
