Visual Communications Schools in Indiana

Indiana is definitely an underdog. While it’s no secret that Indiana lives in the shadow of Chicago, over the years, The Hoosier State has made a name for itself in the competitive world of film. By using its close proximity to Chicago to its advantage (its only a 20 minute drive away), Indiana has successfully cemented itself as a practical alternative to shooting, setting up shop, and sleeping in Chicago. But besides being a top alternative to Chicago, Indiana does have its own art and culture scene, so aspiring artists of all kinds can do well here without ever setting foot in Chicago!

Indiana is home to a wide variety of major art museums, independent art galleries, and performance venues. The Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Brown County Art Gallery, and the Grunwald Gallery of Art (of Indiana University Bloomington) are just a few popular art venues.

The state also has a number of principle cities, each with its own scene. Just a few include Indianapolis (the state’s largest city), Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Hammond, and Bloomington. Fortunately, some of the state’s best schools for aspiring visual communications professionals can be found in many of these lively cities. Continue reading to learn more.

Indiana Visual Communications Schools

The latest Institute of Education Sciences (IES) report is available and Indiana is now home to 106 accredited colleges. Many of the state’s best schools offer a variety of programs for aspiring artists and designers. Just a few include Purdue University, University of Indianapolis, and Indiana University (several campuses). Scroll through the list below to review Indiana’s top schools for aspiring visual communications artists and what they have to offer.

Fort Wayne
Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne  - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Communication and Design with Concentration in Computer Art/Design or Graphic Design

Indianapolis
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) – Degrees Offered: B. F. A Visual Communication; B. S. Computer Graphics Technology, Informatics, Media Arts and Science; M. F. A. Visual Communication Design; M. S. Media Arts and Science

University of Indianapolis - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Communication Design/Graphic Design

Muncie
Ball State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Emphasis in Electronic Art or Visual Communication; M. A. Visual Arts Studio; M. F. A. Visual Arts with Emphasis in Animation

West Lafayette
Purdue University - Degrees Offered:  B. A. Visual Communications Design, B. S. Computer Graphics Technology, Computer Science with Computer Graphics and Visualization Track; M. S. Computer Graphics Technology, Computer Science

More Visual Communications related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for Indiana Visual Communications Professionals

According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state of Indiana is home to 30,410 artists and designers. This includes visual communications professionals, multimedia artists, graphic designers, art directors, and more. The population has increased since 2002, when it was around 25,300. Salaries have increased as well. The average salary for Indiana artists and designers was $32,310 in 2002. As of March 27, 2012, the average salary was $39,250.

It is important to note that salaries vary by industry, education, company, experience, location, and more. For example, many visual communicators eventually become art directors, web designers or advertising photographers. The average salary for an art director living in Indiana is around $68,880 per year. Graphic designers average $39,440 per year and photographers average around $29,030 per year.

Visual communications professionals in Indiana still do very well overall. They average around $51,000 per year and slightly more in Indianapolis—the state’s largest city. According to salary reporting sites such as Simply Hired, the average salary for visual communications professionals in Indianapolis is $55,000 per year.