Top 25 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges on the West Coast – 2024 College Rankings

ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) houses a social innovation department known as Designmatters. Through this department, the school became the first design institution to be formally affiliated with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization (NGO). ArtCenter also houses the Graphic Design Department, which provides opportunities to study abroad in Berlin at the school’s satellite studio—ArtCenter Berlin. Organized like a creative agency, the studio features department led initiatives and transdisciplinary projects; sponsored studios and collaborations; and industry partnerships. 

Within the department are two programs: the BFA in Graphic Design (Gx) and the MFA (MGx). Minors in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, and Product Design are also available through the Designmatters program, which combines immersive, real-world studios with humanities, sciences, and studio courses. 

ArtCenter Gx BFA requires 132 units. The program explores both traditional and emerging media such as books, coding, press kits, apps, 3D motion graphics, packaging, and film, books. The curriculum is hands-on with courses taught by professors with expertise in visual interaction, print, transmedia design, motion, and packaging. Course examples for the program include Narrative Imaging; Communication Design 4: Identity Systems; Transdisciplinary Studio; Communication Design 5: Transmedia; Motion Design; Intro to Transmedia 1; Graphic Design History 1-2; Package Design 1: Design Principles; Visual Interaction Design 1: Intro to UI; Information Design; and Business and Professional Practice. 

Throughout the program, ArtCenter Gx BFA students will complete projects in state-of-the-art facilities such as Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography and Archetype Press. Students will have opportunities to collaborate with subject experts, work on real-world digital campaigns, and create and distribute materials for ArtCenter partners such as Nike, Cedars-Sinai Research Centers, Adobe, and Homeboy Industries. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their own entrepreneurial branding. 

During the final term of the ArtCenter Gx BFA, students will complete the Portfolio and Career Preparation course.    

The ArtCenter College of Design MGx program has both two-year and three-year options. The two-year option consists of 75 units completed across four full terms, plus one ArtCenter Lite (ACL) summer term. During the ACL, students will have the option to complete a design internship, studio independent study, or Testlab Berlin. Options are worth six credits each. All two-year students will also complete the Graduate Forum course, worth three credits. 

Consisting of 86 units, the three-year MGx option is for students who need to develop additional design skills in order to be successful in the graduate program. This option consists of two additional terms. Upon successful completion of both terms, students may be admitted to the traditional graduate track. 

Course examples across options include Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning 1.0; Graduate Project Writing; Design Research/Strategy; Graduate Visual Interaction Design; Graduate Typography 3; Grad Studio Materials Lab; and Professional Leadership. MGx students will complete a Portfolio Lab, and a thesis project to graduate. 

Students in all ArtCenter College of Design programs have the opportunity to intern, network, and interview with major companies and studios such as Amazon, Walt Disney Imagineering, Nike, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Ford, Riot Games, Mattel, Warner Bros., BMW, DreamWorks, Meta, Netflix, Honda, and Chronicle Books. 

ArtCenter Graphic Des alumni go on to establish careers in areas such as branding and corporate identity, visual interaction design, broadcast graphics, transmedia design, information architecture, printing and poster design, web design and development, app design, motion graphics, film title design, production management, package design, art direction, publication design, environmental graphic design, and exhibition design. 

Many ArtCenter College of Design graduates have been hired at places such as Google, Meta, and IDEO. Some program alumni have also been hired to work with Local Projects—an exhibition and media design firm for public spaces and museums. 

ArtCenter College of Design serves approximately 2,385 students from more than 50 countries. Founded in 1930, the school has campuses in Pasadena and Los Angeles, California, along with satellite studios in Petersen Automotive Museum (Miracle Mile, Los Angeles) and Berlin, Germany. ArtCenter provides 11 undergraduate programs; 10 graduate degree programs leading to an MFA or MS; a joint MS/MBA program; and undergraduate minors for Business, Creative Writing, and Social Innovation students. 

ArtCenter College of Design is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

California College of the Arts (CCA) has two paths to study graphic design—the BFA and MFA. The Graphic Design BFA is a STEM-designated program that features dedicated studio space for students; a Prototyping Studio and Hybrid Lab, where students can explore virtual reality and other emerging technologies; and the Book Arts and Letterpress Studio, which houses bookbinding equipment and lithography presses. 

Leading to a BFA, the CCA Graphic Design program begins with the First Year Experience, where students have the opportunity to explore a variety of techniques, tools, and materials; participate in studio projects; and engage in critiques. Course examples for this 120 credit hour program include Graphic Design 1-3; Advanced Interactive; Typography 1-3; Graphic Design Tools; 2D, 3D, and 4D; Media History 2: Current Issues in Design; Writing 1-2; and Professional Practice Workshop. 

In the final years of the CCA Graphic Design program, students will have the opportunity to intern for technology companies, design studios, and cultural institutions in the Bay Area and beyond. The program culminates with a thesis project that will be presented to faculty and peers. 

Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Graphic Designer, UX Designer, Packaging Designer, Interaction Designer, Visual Designer, Product Designer, Book Designer, Motion Graphics Designer, Type Designer, Identity Designer, Editorial Designer, and Web Designer. Program alumni have landed positions at places such as Google, IDEO, MacFadden & Thorpe, Atlassian, California Academy of Sciences, Frog Design, Wolff Olins, Snap Inc., and Bonfire Labs. 

The Design MFA at California College of the Arts is a terminal degree program that requires 90 units of study. Students in this program benefit from 24/7 access to the Hybrid Lab and Rapid Prototyping Studio; a lecture series that explores all disciplines; access to an extensive Materials Library; a yearly retreat at Headlands Center for the Arts; intensive workshops with visiting designers; and exhibitions for studio and end-of-year work. 

The program also has three concentrations—Graphic Design, Interaction Design, and Industrial Design—and two options including the two-year program and three-year program. The two-year option is designed for students with experience in one or more areas of design. The three-year option is for students with an undergraduate degree in an unrelated area. The first year of the three-year program allows students to develop design skills in preparation for the traditional two-year curriculum. 

The CCA Design MFA provides a variety of course options including Design in Context Seminar; Digital Electronics; The Studio 2: IxD; Contemporary Design; Mechatronics; Hybrid Business Models; Interactive Media; Typography; and Professional Practice. The program culminates with the thesis project and exhibition. 

Graduates of the Design MFA program at California College of the Arts are prepared to pursue leadership roles such as Senior Graphic Designer, Project Manager, Art Director, Senior Product Designer, Managing UI/UX Designer, Research and Development Technologist, Managing Curator, Entrepreneur, and Educator. 

CCA MFA alumni have worked with or been hired at places such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Apple, The New York Times, Google, IDEO, Headlands Center for the Arts, Adobe, and Meta. Graduates have also launched their own design firms and companies. Examples include BackerKit, Sensoree, and Gold Collective. 

California College of the Arts was established in 1907 as the School of the California Guild of Arts and Crafts. When it opened, CCA had just three teachers and 43 students when it opened. Today, the school employs 420 faculty members that serve approximately 1,500 students enrolled in nearly 40 degree programs and minors. California College of the Arts is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

The College of Arts and Sciences (ArtSci) at University of Washington (UW) is home to the School of Art + Art History + Design (SoA+AH+D), which houses one of the largest undergraduate programs at UW: Visual Communication Design (VCD). Featured in international design journals Art and Design (China), IDEA (Japan), and Novum (Germany), the VCD program leads to a Bachelor of Design (BDes). The School of Art also has a two-year Master of Design (MDes) for students with experience in design, and a three-year option for students from other disciplines with outstanding design potential. This option focuses on developing core design skills in preparation for advanced design coursework in the two-year MDes program. 

The VCD BDes is an intensive program that encourages collaboration and experiential learning such as study abroad experiences in places such as Italy, Paris, and Amsterdam. The curriculum for this 180 credit program includes courses in general education, art history, studio, and electives. Course examples include Corporate Identity; Interface Design I-II; Visual Systems; Publication Design; Advanced Typography; Introduction to Motion Design; Visual Storytelling; and Exhibition Design. 

In the Junior and Senior years of the UW BDes program, students will complete an internship, a Design Capstone, and Design Exhibition worth 1-3 credit hours. 

The MDes at University of Washington is considered the terminal degree in the field. Consisting of 80 credits (minimum), the MDes emphasizes individualized and interdisciplinary studies. This provides opportunities to study Visual Communication. Also a research-based program, the MDes allows students to choose courses from and complete research projects with the Departments of Communication, Psychology, and Biomedical Informatics; the College of Engineering; and the Schools of Business and Nursing. 

Throughout the UW MDes program, students will have opportunities to complete several special projects sponsored by major corporations and led by design faculty. Other program benefits include project-based studios, seminars, and independent study. 

During the final year of the UW MDes program, students will work with their chair and committee to complete a thesis document and exhibition to be displayed at UW’s Henry Art Gallery. Past thesis topics include Urban Planning, Information Visualization, Healthcare, and Aviation. 

Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in all areas of design across all industries. Some of the top employers for UW graduates include Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Boeing, Apple, Meta, Deloitte, KPMG, T-Mobile, Starbucks, Accenture, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Oracle, EY, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Nordstrom, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), ScribeAmerica, and Highspot. 

Established in 1861, the University of Washington serves approximately 60,700 students across campuses in Seattle (main), Bothell, and Tacoma, Washington. UW provides approximately 475 programs and 845 degree options across 18 colleges and schools. The University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Engineering at UW is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

First organized in 1883, and founded in 1895, the Gayle Garner Roski School of Art and Design at University of Southern California (USC) is one of Southern California’s oldest art and design schools. School highlights include an experimental and collaborative approach to learning; hands-on studio courses; coveted internships at places such as DreamWorks, Lego, National Geographic, and MTV; skills-based workshops in 2D and 3D design media; seminars; and international design study tours in places such as London, South Africa, Italy, and Australia. 

Within the USC Roski School of Design are several paths to study graphic design including BFA and MFA degrees in Design; an interdisciplinary Communication Design minor; and BFA/MFA Design progressive degree designed for exceptional students in the junior year of the Design BFA program. The dual degree program can be completed in less time than taking the BFA and MFA programs separately. The BFA/MFA also allows students to skip the formal graduate application. 

The Design BFA is an intensive program that requires 128-units over four years. This pre-professional degree also requires a minor such as Advertising, Multimedia Experiences, Digital Experiences, Business, Communication, Marketing, Designing Products, or Entrepreneurship. Students may also choose 26 units of electives to customize a specialization in practically any area of design or other related discipline. Selections may be from the Roski School or other schools across USC, Los Angeles. 

Course examples for the Design BFA program include 3D Design: Materials and Tools; Publication Design; Advanced Design Projects; Art and Design Studio I-II; Web Design; and Professional Practice in Design. A professional internship in the arts is a required component of the program, as well as the Senior Thesis completed over two courses. 

The Design MFA at University of Southern California is a studio-based program that requires a minimum of 56 units of study. This includes 26 elective units. Eighteen elective units must be from USC Roski School of Art and Design, and eight can be from any department or and school outside Roski. 

Elective examples include Directed Research; Design Studio Co-Lab; Field Internship Experience; Design Pedagogy; and International Design Study Tour. Examples of required courses for the program include Contemporary Issues in Design; Design Theory; Individual Studies; Designers in Residence Forum; and Advancement (workshop). 

The culminating experience for the USC Roski Design MFA program is the Master’s Thesis, completed across three courses totaling four units. 

In addition to all USC Roski has to offer, Design MFA students benefit from partnerships with organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). The school also provides opportunities to participate in seminars, discussions, and events featuring leaders in the design industry. 

The USC Roski Communication Design minor is a 24-unit program that explores digital imaging, visual literacy, communication, marketing, public relations, and business. Specific course examples for the program Design II-II; Typography; Consumer Behavior and Marketing; Graphic Design in Fashion; Advertising Media and Analysis; Ideas in Intermedia; and Histories of Art, Design and Visual Culture. 

All students in the USC Roski Communication Design minor have the opportunity to participate in the New York Design and International Study Tours, or the Practicum in Marketing Communication and Promotion Design. 

Graduates of the Roski School of Art and Design at University of Southern California have been hired at hundreds of major companies, studios, and organizations. Examples include Marvel Studios, L’Oreal, DreamWorks Animation, Vogue, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Conde Nast, Disney Interactive, Skechers, MTV Networks, J. Crew, Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, Cisco, American Apparel, NBCUniversal, DirectTV, 20th Century Studios, Fandango, Mattel, American Express, Beats, PETA, Paramount Pictures, Macy’s, E! Entertainment, and Oliver Peoples. 

University of Southern California opened in 1880 with 53 students and 10 teachers. Today, USC serves 47,000 students and employs approximately 4,770 full-time faculty. This makes University of Southern California the largest private sector employer in Los Angeles and the largest school by enrollment in the state of California.

Students at USC have access to more than 600 graduate and professional programs across 23 schools and divisions. University of Southern California is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Serving approximately 2,700 students, the College of the Arts at Portland State University (PSU) is the largest art school in the Pacific Northwest. Within the college are the Schools of Architecture; Film; Music and Theater; and Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design. The Schnitzer School houses the Graphic Design BFA program and a 32 credit hour Graphic Design minor. 

The School of Business at Portland State University houses an Advertising Management (AM) minor for Graphic Design majors. This 24 credit hour program provides opportunities to work with real clients through the Creative Strategy and Advertising Campaigns courses and in the on-campus advertising agency FIR. Electives allow students to develop skills in digital media, social media, and portfolio development. 

Graduates of the AM minor are prepared to pursue roles the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Potential careers include Graphic Designer, Brand Designer, Art Director, Production Designer, UX Designer, Multimedia Designer, Digital Designer, Packaging Designer, Creative Director, and Web Designer. 

The Graphic Design BFA at Portland State University provides the opportunity to work on projects for real clients through the Schnitzer School’s in-house studio A + D Projects. Students also benefit from professional off-campus internships; field trips; the peer mentorship program; the Matthias Kemeny Endowed Design Lecture Series; professional portfolio development courses; and access to more than 200 study abroad programs. Examples include Art History in Rome, Mixed Media and Printmaking in Guanajuato, Mexico, and Berlin: The Fall and Rise of an Art City. 

Consisting of 180 credits, the Graphic Design BFA requires courses such as Design Process; Show and Tell; Digital Graphics; Typography I-II; Digital Imaging and Illustration; Interaction Design Principles; Foundations in Motion, UI, and UX; Storytelling and Narrative; Information Design; and Brand Lab. 

Each spring, PSU Graphic Design students will take what they’ve learned so far and participate in the student showcase Be Honest. This allows them to present their work to design professionals during all phases of the program. 

In the final year of the Graphic Design BFA at PSU, students will complete the Design Thesis I-II, and Design Portfolio courses, and participate in Fresh—the A + D Graphic Design Senior Showcase. The event allows students to continue networking, display their work, and get additional feedback from industry professionals. 

Graduates of the Graphic Design program at Portland State University are prepared to pursue titles such as Graphic Designer, Publication Designer, Brand and Identity Designer, Motion Graphics Designer, Interactive Designer, Art Director, User Interface Designer, Illustrator, Design Manager, App Designer, Web and Mobile Designer, Product Designer, and Environmental Designer. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Wieden+Kennedy, R/GA, Nike, Apple, IBM, Nordstrom, IDEO, Adidas, Dropbox, Buzzfeed, Snapchat, and Spotify. Others have found success at design studios such as OMFCO, Jolby, Sandstrom, and Instrument. Some PSU Design alumni have gone on to launch their own design studios, product lines, or freelance careers. 

Portland State University opened in the summer of 1946 with 220 students. Today, PSU serves 21,040 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across nine colleges and schools. Portland State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Academy of Art University houses the School of Graphic Design, which has AA, BFA, MA, and MFA degree programs in Graphic Design. A 100% online certificate is also available. This program eliminates liberal arts coursework, allowing students to begin taking graphic design courses on day one. Graduates will leave the program with a portfolio of their best work. 

Across all programs, students will take courses that explore communication design, print, typography, packaging, environmental design, branding, experience design, editorial design, motion graphics, innovation, and problem-solving. Students will work with all forms of media including digital, interactive, emerging, and traditional.   

Course examples for the AA, BFA (and certificate) programs include Branding Principles; Introduction to Interactive Design; The Creative Process; Typography 1: Hierarchy and Form; Visual Systems; Design Technology: Digital Publishing Tools; Visual Storytelling: Editing Fundamentals for Short-Form Video Content; Package Design 1: 3D Thinking/Making; History of Graphic Design; Strategies for Branding; Strategies for Branding; Typography 2: Formalizing Structure; Social Media Content Development, Package Design 2: Executing 3D Design; Programming and Culture; and Designing Careers. 

MA and MFS students will take courses, labs, and studios such as The Nature of Identity; Visual Communications Lab; Making Ideas Visible; User Experience Design; Type Forms; Visual Thinking; Integrated Communications - Message Synthesis; Making Ideas Visible; Digital Design Studio 1; Directed Study; and Professional Practices for Designers & Advertisers. 

Graduates of the Graphic Design AA program will graduate with a portfolio of their best work. Program alumni may transition into the Academy of Art Graphic Design BFA program or apply for an entry-level position in the design industry. 

Graphic Design BFA students will complete an internship and Senior Portfolio to graduate, while MA students will complete the 700-level MA Portfolio. MFA students will complete three Thesis courses, and Design Seminar/Portfolio to graduate.  

Graduates of the Graphic Design BFA program at Academy of Art University are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Graduate students are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries, teaching positions, and research positions.

Across programs, graduates have been recruited by major studios, companies, and organizations such as IDEO, Apple, Nike, R/GA, Google, The Clorox Company, and Square. Sample job titles include Graphic Designer, Senior Graphic Designer, Brand Manager, Product Designer, Art Director, User Experience Designer, and Creative Director.

Academy of Art University is a family-owned private university located in San Francisco—one of the world’s top cities for animation careers. Established in 1929 and serving more than 7,000 students, Academy of Art is one of the nation’s largest private art and design schools. Divided into 22 schools, Academy of Art University provides more than 125 programs across 40+ areas of study. Programs lead to the AA, BA, BFA, BS, B. Arch, MAT, MA, MFA and M. Arch degrees. Academy of Art University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The College of Liberal Arts at Oregon State University (OSU or Oregon State) is home to the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts. Within the school is a Graphic Design (GD) program with BFA and Honors BFA (HBFA) options. Consisting of 180 credit hours, this professional program includes a nine-month, seven credit hour senior capstone project that will be presented at the school’s Year-End Capstone Showcase. 

Course examples for the program include Introduction to the Visual Ats; Graphic Design: Collaborative Process; 2D Core Studio; Graphic Design History; Typography 1-3; Process: Making and Meaning; Graphic Design Pro Application; Contemporary Issues in Design; Interactive Design 1-2; Graphic Design Technology and Production 1-2; and Graphic Design: Professional Development. 

BFA and HBFA students may focus in other areas of art and design through the required 32 elective credit hours for the program. 

Graduates of the Graphic Design BFA program at Oregon State University are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as advertising; branding and visual design; public relations; publication design (newspapers, magazines, catalogs); exhibition design; marketing; UX-UI (web, mobile app design, interaction); package design; motion graphics; poster design; print media; and information design. 

Founded in 1856 as Corvallis Academy, Oregon State University is one of just three land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant universities in the U.S. Serving approximately 36,635 students, OSU has 12 experiment stations and campuses in Corvallis, Bend, Portland, Newport, and LaGrande, Oregon. Students at Oregon State have access to more than 200 academic programs across 11 colleges and hundreds of online degrees through the OSU Ecampus Program. The school also provides more than 36 extension programs across all 36 Oregon counties. 

Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The College of Liberal Arts at San Francisco State University (San Francisco State, SFSU, SF State) houses the School of Design. Within the school are several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Visual Communication Design BS; a Design minor; and an interdisciplinary Design MA. 

As part of the School of Design, students in all programs have the opportunity to collaborate with external industry partners and/or community organizations. Students may also participate in design activities in the Fine Arts Building including letterpress printing; interactive media (AR and VR); 3D printing; bookbinding; large format printing; and rapid prototyping. 

All SFSU School of Design students have full access to DESIGNSPACE—an on-campus teaching and learning workspace for students, faculty, and partners. Students may participate in the SFSU study abroad program, which features experiences in more than 20 countries with partner institutions such as Swinburne University, Australia; Nuova Accademia Di Belle Arti (NABA), Italy; Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland; Brunel University London, UK; University of Technology Sydney, Australia; and Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan. 

The Visual Communication BS program at San Francisco State requires 120 units, with 58 units in the major. The Design minor requires 19 credit hours in the Visual Communication Design pathway and 20 credit hours in the Product Design pathway. Students in the minor will take all coursework at the upper-division level. Course examples include A History of Design and Technology; Graphic Design I; Visual Design Literacy; Interactive Design I; Drafting and Sketching for Design; Product Design I; and Computer Graphic Imaging.  

The BS program consists of courses such as Digital Design Foundations I-II; Graphic Design I-II; Graphic Design III: Advanced; Interactive Design I-III; and a History of Design and Technology. Students may also select 15 credit hours of major electives, which provides opportunities to explore additional areas and build a professional design portfolio. Elective examples include Publication Design and Graphics; Advanced Projects in Visual Communication Design; Visual Storytelling; Modern Letterpress Printing: Traditional and Digital Techniques; Photojournalism I: Foundations of Photojournalism; and Design Gallery: Exhibitions and Communications. 

BS students may complete the Independent Study in Design course, the Graphic Design Practicum: Design Working Group, and a professional internship. The culminating requirement for the program consists of the Professional Practices for Design course and the Senior Design Project. 

The Design MA at San Francisco State University requires 30 credit hours of study. Students may develop a specialized advanced study area in visual communication, industrial design, product design, or related field. Course and elective examples for the program include Seminar in Design Research; Digital Media; Seminar in Design Methodology; Technical Drawing; Seminar in Design Topics; Product Design; Seminar in Design Management; Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing Systems; Graduate Research and Writing Methods in Design; Creative Work Project; Directed Experience in Design; and Design Process. 

The culminating experience for the Design MA consists of a Creative Work Project or Master’s Thesis, students choice. Graduates of the MA program are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries or a doctoral degree at a top university. Graduates of the BS and Design minor programs at SFSU are prepared to pursue creative roles across industries. 

San Francisco State University graduates are routinely hired at companies such as Google, Wells Fargo, Apple, Kaiser Permanente, and Oracle. Design alumni are also in high demand at companies and studios in Silicon Valley. Graduates hold titles such as Brand Manager, Packaging Designer, User Experience Designer, Exhibit Designer, Creative Director, Layout Artist, Book Designer, Publication Designer, Art Director, and Web Designer. Program alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios and freelance businesses. 

Founded in 1899 as San Francisco State Normal School, San Francisco State University serves approximately 23,700 students enrolled in more than 200 programs across six colleges, and 75 schools and academic departments. San Francisco State University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The College of Arts and Letters at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) houses the Department of Art. Accredited by National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the department provides BA, MA, and MFA programs in areas such as animation, studio arts, and design. A minor in art and a certificate in and Fashion, Fiber and Materials are also available. 

All degree-seeking students in the Department of Art have the opportunity to present their work through weekly rotating exhibitions in the student-run COMA Gallery. Each semester, the Fine Arts Gallery of the Department of Art also hosts several events that allow students to present their work to professional artists and faculty. 

MFA students present at the Graduate Thesis Exhibition and undergraduates present at the BA Capstone Show in the campus-based Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery. Additional opportunities to present to the public are also available. 

Other Department of Art benefits include access to state-of-the-art labs and studio spaces; internship opportunities with local and national host companies; and study abroad experiences in places such as Europe, China, and Italy. 

For students seeking a career in graphic design, the Department of Art at Cal State LA has BA and MFA degrees in Art with a Graphic Design/Visual Communication Option, and an MA in Art with individualized and advanced study in Design. 

The BA program requires 120 units, with 57 units in the major. Course examples for the program include Graphic Design; Typography; Video for Artists; Digital Image Processing and Illustration; Advertising Art Direction; Color and Digital Photography; Problems in Advanced Design; Art and Motion; Interactive Design; and Directed Field Work in Art. 

The Art MA is a 30-unit program that consists of courses such as Graduate Problems in Design; Seminar: Visual Arts; and Graduate Animation. The Art MFA is a highly selective program that requires 60 units of study to graduate. Course examples include MA/MFA Practice in Studio Art; Perspectives on Visual Art, Aesthetics, and Culture; Research Methodologies in Art; Art History Seminar: Art of Changing Eras; Seminar: Visual Arts, and MFA Professional Field Work in Art. 

Students in both graduate programs will complete the MA/MFA Project Development in Design. 

Graduates of the Art/Graphic Design/Visual Communication programs at Cal State LA are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as print publishing, advertising, marketing, packaging, corporate branding, book design, exhibit design, web design, UI/UX design, public relations, and social media. 

Department of Art alumni have been hired at places such as Young & Rubicam (Y&R), Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Japan, Marvel Studios, DreamWorks, Prologue Films, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Graphic Ink, Consolidated Design West, Harding Marketing Communications, Dynamic Dezign, Catalina Communications, Strategic Materials, and Column Five Media. 

Established in 1947, California State University, Los Angeles serves approximately 22,595 students enrolled in more than 150 degree, certificate, and minor programs. Part of the 23 campus, California State University System, Cal State LA is comprised of nine colleges and the University Library. California State University, Los Angeles is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The School of Art (SoA) at California State University-Long Beach (CSULB or CSU Long Beach) serves nearly 2,000 students, making it the largest school on the CSULB campus. Part of the College of the Arts, the SoA is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1970. Other SoA features include access to state-of-the-art production facilities, work studios, and seven configurable galleries; the guest artist series; an Art BFA with a Graphic Design Option; and internships at local and national companies. 

In addition to internship opportunities, SoA Art: Graphic Design students may participate in summer study abroad workshops. Past experiences include the Letterpress Workshop in Berlin, Germany; Visit to UMPRUM Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague, Czech Republic; and Brand Design Workshop with HAW University in Hamburg, Germany. 

The Art: Graphic Design BFA at CSU Long Beach requires 132 units of study, with more than 50 units in the major and related courses. Course examples include Artists in Their Own Words; Graphic Design Workshop; Writing About Visual Art; Advanced Studio: Graphic Design 5D; History of Graphic Design; Advanced Typography; Core Studio: Graphic Design – Packaging; Global Art Scenes; Core Studio: Graphic Design Exploration and Experimentation; and Media Design: Motion Graphics. 

The Art: Graphic Design BFA at CSU Long Beach culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in advertising, publishing, packaging design, corporate design, public relations, user experience design, brand management, digital design (UX/UI), industrial design, web design, consulting, industrial design, exhibit design, and consulting. 

California State University, Long Beach was established in 1949 as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University System, CSULB serves approximately 39,970 students enrolled in over 300 programs across eight colleges. California State University, Long Beach is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The College of Arts, Languages, and Letters at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UH Mānoa) houses the Department of Art and Art History. Within the department are three paths to study graphic design: the Studio Art BFA, the MFA in Visual Arts, and the Art minor. This 21 credit hour program allows students to select five courses in an area such as graphic design, digital imaging, printmaking, or photography. 

Degree-seeking students may select a formal concentration in Graphic Design, Print Media (Digital Imaging, Photography, Printmaking), Drawing and Painting, Glass, or Sculpture + Expanded Practices. 

Across concentrations, features include access to state-of-the-art equipment and studios including multimedia workstations, shooting studios, digital imaging equipment, darkrooms, presses, and papermaking studios; guest artists; collaborative projects; and internship opportunities. 

The Studio Art BFA program requires 63 credits in the major, including 21 in the concentration. Course examples include Typography I-III; Production Techniques; Studio Lab I-III: Advanced Studio; and Production techniques Lab. The program culminates with the BFA Capstone Seminar, which consists of a final project and participation in the annual BFA Exhibition. 

Graduates of the Studio Art BFA program at UH Mānoa are prepared to pursue design roles in areas such as advertising, UX-UI (web, mobile app design, interaction), package design, branding and visual design, public relations, motion graphics, publication design (newspapers, magazines, catalogs); print media, information design, exhibition design, marketing, and poster design.

The Visual Arts MFA at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the only program of its kind in Hawaiʻi. Consisting of 60 credit hours completed over three years, the MFA requires 24 graduate studio seminar credits, 15 elective credits, 12 thesis credits, six art history credits, and a three-credit interdisciplinary seminar. 

The Visual Arts MFA program at UH Mānoa culminates with a thesis exhibition, paper, and oral defense. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. Examples include Director of Visual Strategy, Creative Coordinator, Senior Designer, Professor, Brand Strategist, Researcher, Design Director, Brand Director, Marketing Manager, and Art Director. 

Established in 1907 and serving approximately 19,255 students, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the largest and oldest of the 10 UH campuses. The school provides nearly 250 academic programs and areas across 15 colleges and schools. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The College of Arts and Sciences at University of San Francisco (USF) houses the Department of Art + Architecture. Within the department is an interdisciplinary Design program that explores graphic, environmental, and digital media design. A 20-unit Design minor is also available for students in other majors. Course examples for this program include Design Fundamentals; Visual Communication; Design for the Web; Typography; Interaction Design; Information Visualization; and Digital Media Design.  

Leading to a BA, the four-year Design program allows students to gain hands-on experience working in USF’s Graphic Center. This student-run organization designs brochures, posters, banners, flyers, and t-shirts for faculty, departments, and club on campus. 

Othe program benefits include access to state-of-the-art studio facilities such as XARTS and 2D-3D studios; a mandatory internship within a professional Bay Area design setting; participation in design competitions such as Adobe’s Creative Jam; and the Design Collectives—a student group hosts discussions and community events. 

In addition to the design internship and USF’s Graphic Center, BA students have the opportunity to gain even more experience through the Exhibition Design Practicum. In this studio elective course, students will curate, design, organize, and launch an exhibition for the university’s Thacher Gallery. 

The Design BA at USF requires 49 units in the major. Course examples include Visual Communication; Copy Culture; Design for the Climate Crisis; Typography; Fabrication Lab; Design for the Web; Information Visualization; Digital Media Design; Critical Brand/Package Design; and Professional Practice in Design. 

The USF Design BA Program culminates with the Senior Thesis Exhibition in the SOMArts gallery in downtown San Francisco. Graduates will also assemble a professional portfolio of their best work. 

USF Design BA alumni go on to work at design studios, museums, start-ups, and in design departments across just about every industry. Some graduates go on to pursue graduate studies at institutions such as Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), New York University (NYU), Pratt Institute, DePaul University, Rhode Island School of Art and Design (RISD), Pratt Institute, University of the Arts London, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). 

Companies and organizations that have hired USF Design alumni include Apple, Disney, Google, Harper Collins, Oracle, Ubisoft, The Discovery Science Center in Orange County, Etsy, Twitter, Dwell Media, San Francisco Magazine, ACLU, Pandora, Harvey Milk Center for the Arts, SFO Signage & Wayfinding, Benefit Cosmetics, Big Fish Games, Project Open Hand, and Teach for America. 

Established in 1855 as the St. Ignatius Academy, University of San Francisco is the city’s first institution of higher education and it’s only Division I university. When it opened, this private, Jesuit institution had just three students and three faculty. Today, University of San Francisco serves approximately 9,210 students enrolled in more than 140 programs across five colleges and schools. University of San Francisco is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The College of Environmental Design at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) houses the Department of Art, home to the Visual Communication Design (VCD) Program. Leading to a BFA, the VCD Program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Other program features include hands-on projects and studios, design workshops, opportunities to exhibit work throughout the program, internships, and the option to enhance the degree through 26 units of electives. 

Course examples for the program include Visual Thinking, Typography Activity, Visual Communication Design 1-2, Foundations in 2D, 3D, 4D, and 5D Design, and Digital Photography. Elective examples include Contemporary Art, Workshop: Illustration, Promotional Strategies, Brand Impression and Management, Studio Arts: Print Process, Consumer Behavior, and Workshop: Typography. 

All students will complete Professional Practices in Visual Communication Design—culminating experience (Capstone) for the program. The Final Portfolio Review for the Cal Poly Pomona VCD Program will be conducted by alumni who are design professionals and leaders in the industry.

Graduates of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona enjoy a 95% job placement or graduate school rate. Alumni have been accepted into graduate programs at UCLA, Boston University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Southern California (USC), and National Taiwan University. Examples of companies that have hired Cal Poly Pomona graduates include Amazon, Disneyland Resorts, NASA, Netflix, Sony Pictures, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, 20th Century Fox Television, Communicus, and Think Now Research. 

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona opened in 1938 as the Voorhis Unit of California State Polytechnic College. The school began with an all-male population of 110 students. Today, Cal Poly Pomona is a co-educational institution that serves approximately 29,100 students from the U.S. and around the world. One of the two polytechnics in the California State University System and one of only seven nationwide, Cal Poly Pomona provides more than 150 programs across eight academic colleges. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).