With the continued growth of the web, new graphic arts opportunities continue to grow.
Today, perhaps more than ever, there is a premium placed on good graphic designers. As new mediums continue to emerge, the need for graphic designers to be well-versed in both traditional and emerging graphic design concepts and applications is a necessity. For the student who is serious about pursuing graphic design as a career, the choice of which graphic design program to enroll could have lasting implications. While thousands of colleges and universities across America offer graphic design programs, some have risen to national prominence.
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie. Within the walls of Carnegie, there are seven colleges to choose from. Students wishing to study Graphic Design will attend the College of Fine Arts---a college that was given a number one ranking in 2008 by US News and World Report for its outstanding MFA design program. Freshmen focus on discovery and acquiring basic art skills while upperclassmen concentrate on communication design in their chosen interest. Seniors work with teammates and focus on interdisciplinary projects as a review for all that was learned at Carnegie.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University was originally founded in 1838 in Richmond, Virginia. It offers students a 120 credit hours bachelor of fine arts degree. This program holds its students to a high level of professional performance as they address areas of communication, ethics and communication technology. Prior to admission to this program, students must complete foundational art courses. Courses in methodology, as well as research courses such as surface, space, quantitative literacy, focused inquiry, survey of Western art and visual communication will also be completed.
Rhode Island School of Design
Founded in 1877 in Providence, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is known today as one of the finest design schools in the country. The school hosts more than 2,200 students who share resources with the Ivy League's Brown University. The Graphic Design program at RISD includes areas of study such as communication theory, design history and visual form-making, as well as extensive typography study. RISD offers a four-year bachelor of fine arts degree or a five-year program for a bachelor of graphic design degree.
Pratt Institute
Since 1886, Pratt Institute has been a leading art school, belonging to the prestigious Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design. Pratt Institute offers three campuses in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Utica. Students attending Pratt begin their course of study in communications design and then focus on one of three art careers: graphic design, illustration or advertising art direction. All students enrolled learn to be proficient in photography, painting, typography, printmaking and computer graphics film. Pratt Institute prides itself in the ample internship opportunities offered surrounding the New York location.
