Florida Graphic Design Schools

Florida is home to many high profile, award-winning advertising agencies such as BFW Advertising and CP+B, but in the world of graphic design, the state is also revered for its collection of small ad agencies, web design firms, and graphic design studios that are always on the lookout for fresh talent. Not only does the Sunshine State offer excellent employment opportunities for aspiring graphic designers, it also offers an inspirational setting to live, study, and learn.

Boca Raton, one of the smallest cities in the state and home of the impressive DigitalMedia Arts College, has five miles of beach frontage, 756 acres filled with beautiful parks, and temperatures average around 75 degrees year around. Head a little bit further south to Miami, home of the uber cool New World School of Art, where you’ll find the only Everglades eco-system in the world, 800 lush parks, and the world’s largest collection of Art Deco Architecture. The state’s major cities such as Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Orlando also offer much in the way of beauty, culture, recreation, and education, so it's best to poke around as many areas as possible before committing to any given school or program.

Florida Graphic Design Schools

From Boca Raton to Winter Park, Florida is home to a number of quality graphic design schools offering a variety of degree levels from an A. S. to an M. F. A. in Graphic Design. Some schools even offer certificate or enrichment programs. Some Florida graphic design programs are offered at traditional universities while others are offered at schools designed specifically for art and design. Scroll through the list below to review Florida’s best graphic design schools and what they have to offer.

Boca Raton
Digital Media Arts College – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design (Advertising Design concentration available), Computer Animation (Game Art concentration available); M. F. A. Visual Effects Animation, Graphic Design
Florida Atlantic University – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design; M. F. A. Visual Art: Graphic Design and Media, Technology and Entertainment

Gainesville
University of Florida – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Digital Media; M. A. Digital Arts and
Sciences, M. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media, Graphic Design

Miami
New World School of the Arts – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Graphic Design or Electronic Intermedia

Sarasota
Ringling College of Art and Design – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic and Interactive Communication, Illustration, Motion Design, Computer Animation, Game Art and Design

Tallahassee
Florida State University – Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. Design with Concentration in Print Design, Interactive Design or Animation and Visual Effects; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Design or Electronic Media

Tampa
University of South Florida - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design or Electronic and Digital Media

Winter Park
Full Sail University - Degrees Offered: A. S. Graphic Design; B. S. Graphic Design (online only), Computer Animation, Digital Arts and Design, Game Art, Game Design (online only), Game Development (traditional only), Web Design and Development; M. F. A. Media Design (online only); M. S. Game Design (traditional only)

More Florida Schools with Graphic Design related programs: 

Employment and Salary Trends for Florida Graphic Designers

The population of graphic designers in Florida hasn’t changed much since 2006. This is good news considering the state of the economy today. In 2006, Florida was home to 11,140 graphic designers. By 2010, the population had increased slightly to 11,160. Still, Florida has one of the highest populations of graphic designers in the country.

The average salary for Florida graphic designers increased significantly between 2006 and 2010. In 2006, the average salary was $37,590. By 2010, the average salary for Florida graphic designers had increased to $42,700. Across the country, the mean annual wage for graphic designers overall was $48,140 in 2010. The lowest paid graphic designers earned less than $26,110 (median), and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $74,660 (median). The middle 50 percent earned between $32,600 and $56,620 (median).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “senior designers, who may supervise junior staff or have some decision-making authority that reflects their knowledge of graphic design,” earned a median salary of $60,000. “Solo designers who freelanced or worked under contract reported median earnings of $57,000. Design directors, the creative heads of design firms or in-house corporate design departments,” earn $95,000. “Graphic designers with ownership or partnership interests in a firm or
who are principals of the firm in some other capacity” average $95,000 per year.