The Best Graphic Design Schools in the Nation

Rhode Island School of Design

• The Rhode Island School of Design, commonly referred to as RISD, was founded in 1877. As of 2009, the school had about 1,900 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. RISD offers undergraduate and graduate programs in graphic design. All undergraduate students must complete an interdisciplinary foundation program in their first year, but they can then select graphic design as their major. Undergraduates work toward the professional Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and graduate students work toward the Master of Fine Arts degree. All students can take advantage of RISD's series of visiting designers and critics. In 2008, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Rhode Island School of Design first among the nation's fine arts graduate schools and 1st among graphic design programs.

  Rhode Island School of Design Department of Graphic Design
  Design Center
  30 North Main St.
  Providence, RI 02903
  401-454-6171
  risd.edu/graphic.cfm

Cranbrook Academy of Art

• The Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, offers undergraduate and graduate programs in 2D design and graphic design. The department emphasizes independent and interdisciplinary work, and encourages all students to experiment with work in a variety of media. Visiting designers and critics give lectures, contribute to critiques and offer studio visits. The Cranbrook Academy of Art tied for fourth in U.S. News & World Report's 2008 ranking of fine arts graduate schools and tied for second among graphic design programs.

  Cranbrook Academy of Art
  39221 Woodward Ave.
  Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
  248-645-3300
  cranbrook.edu/Pages/2D.html

Yale University School of Art

• The Yale University School of Art offers a two-year graduate program in graphic design leading toward the Master of Fine Arts degree. The program emphasizes independent work leading toward an eventual thesis exhibition. Students receive feedback on their work during group critiques, individual discussion with faculty and studio visits with visiting artists. The Yale School of Art also offers an undergraduate major in art. Undergraduates can work toward a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in graphic design. Yale University ranked second in U.S. News & World Report's 2008 ranking of fine arts graduate schools, and tied for second in the graphic design field.

  Yale University School of Art
  1156 Chapel St.
  New Haven, CT 06510
  203-432-2600
  art.yale.edu