Art has always been an informal and formal expression of creativity, opting to give humans a chance to showcase their ability to establish and produce a new way of thinking and reimagining how the world can adapt to an ever-changing environment.
Today, more than ever before, graphic design has become a sought-after career path, which has seen many dominate the market, making way for a whole new school of thought. Although the role of a graphic designer has changed quite a bit since being founded, and whether you’re a novice or perhaps a seasoned graphic designer, or simply looking to start your career in this industry – we listed some of the top institutions you should consider studying graphic design, listed in a specific order.
School of Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
For consistency in the quality of course material, educators, and having the chance to develop both critical and analytical thinking skills, SAIC has always been ranked as a top choice for hundreds of students. More so, SAIC offers an effective and very interactive course curriculum, while also ensuring all graduates are well-equipped with the necessary tools and graphic design knowledge to easily become employable after graduating.
Glasgow School of Art
Whether you’re looking to focus more on visual creative disciplines or perhaps communication design, the Glasgow School of Art has now become one of the most sought-after design schools in Europe. Additionally, most of its undergraduate programs offer both practical and theoretical aspects, while incorporating research elements in its curriculum. Graduating from this school gives you a better understanding of how the industry works, and what to expect once you step into the workplace.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT not only produces some of the most forward-thinking engineers, but its art and communication department has also been ranked as one of the top in the U.S. More so, acceptance into this school is extremely low, so be ready for tough competition. Because MIT is more focused on technical and engineer programs, they combined it with the use of art and graphic design to offer students a balance between science and ingenuity.
Aalto University
Founded in 2010, this young university has established a design program centered around philosophy, art, and above all, innovation. Today, Aalto University offers a bachelor’s degree in design, and the curriculum can host anything from social and political contexts, to how art can influence the greater existence of human civilization.
Parsons School of Design
This New York-based school has one of the very best Communication Design Programmes. The Parsons School of Design has been around for over 100 hundred years and was one of the very first universities in the U.S. to adopt and successfully apply practice-based collaborative learning.
Royal College of Art (RCA)
If you know you’re the best and want to study at one of the best design and art schools in the world, RCA is consistently ranked as the top school for design, art, and communication. Most of their post-graduate programmes are created in such a way that students will be able to advance their understanding and their abilities in the field of design and art. It’s also the perfect choice for those looking to expand not only their knowledge but also build a network of contacts and become well-equipped for the industry.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Admissions are somewhat low, at only 24%, and with a long history as being one of the oldest and most prestigious design schools in the U.S., we can understand why. RISD offers one of the most comprehensive and in-depth graphic design programmes, and its design school is one of the largest at the university.
What other solutions are there?
If you can’t seem to make up your mind or aren’t lucky enough to be accepted into one of these schools, you can always sharpen your skills by completing online courses or perhaps making use of free design and business tools. Start simple, make a business logo for a friend’s company, using a free logo maker offered by TRUiC. This platform not only offers design abilities, but also a plethora of business tools and resources. Whether you’re looking to do it full-time or part-time, graphic design is quickly becoming a popular career path.