| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago |
| 4 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago |
| 5 | DePaul University | Chicago |
Our 2024 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Illinois. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has three pathways to study Graphic Design. Housed in the Visual Communication Design (VCD) Department are the Studio BFA with a VCD focus, and a flexible Studio MFA that allows students to design their own plan of study. The Continuing Studies Department has a Graphic Design certificate consisting of courses such as Introduction to Graphic Design; Color Theory; and Digital Design: Adobe Photoshop.
All students benefit from courses taught by practicing designers; technical advising; and the VCD Departments visiting designer lecture series Exploratory Languages. This annual event features some of the world’s foremost designers and design educators.
The Studio BFA with a VCD focus explores environments, objects and print (physical media) and interactive and time-based media (virtual media). Course examples for the program include Environmental Graphics; Packaging Design; Letterpress Printing and Book Binding; Motion Graphics Design; Offset Printing/Digital Printing; Sustainable Design; Interaction Design/Interface Design; Publication Design; Book Design; Font/Typography Design; Symbol Design; Website Design/Cross-Platform Design; Exhibition Design; and Identity Design/Strategic Design.
In addition to a variety of course options, VCD BFA students have the opportunity to complete a Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) internship and participate in the Fall or Spring Exhibition. Students may also participate in the department’s year-end Visual Communication Design Show.
Graduates of the SAIC VCD program at SAIC will enter the market with a professional portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are Designers and Educators at major institutions and studios across the U.S. and abroad.
The 60 credit hour Studio MFA is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to explore other SAIC departments such as Film, Video, New Media, and Animation (FVNMA); Designed Objects; Intermedia; Writing; Architecture; Photography; and Interior Architecture. Course examples for the program include Type and Image in Motion; Advanced Typography; Package Design; Letterpress Bookworks; Electronic Publications; Image Studio; 4D Design: Manipulating Media; and Envisioning Information.
A major component of the SAIC Studio MFA is the opportunity to complete a graduate project every semester. MFA students will work one-on-one with artists, writers, and other academics from different SAIC departments. Graduate seminars, such as Form-Configuration-Content and Narrative Architectures, are also part of the program. Successful completion of a thesis is required to graduate.
Students in all SAIC Design programs may join the VCD AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) Chapter, which hosts local visiting designers, the annual Town Hall AIGA event, a biannual portfolio preparation seminar, and tours of Chicago studios. The VCD Department also provides the opportunity to participate in juror-led student workshops, and jurors’ lectures through the Chicago International Poster Biennial (CIPB).
Graduates of the MFA programs at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are employed at museums, advertising agencies, marketing firms, non-profit organizations, and major companies and studios across the U.S. and around the world.
Founded in 1866 by a group of 35 artists, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the nation’s oldest accredited independent schools of art and design. Serving approximately 3,100 students from around the globe, SAIC provides more than 50 areas of study across 24 academic departments. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) houses the College of Fine and Applied Arts, home to the School of Art and Design. Within the school are two paths to study Graphic Design—the Graphic Design BFA program and the Art and Design MFA. The BFA is a 122 credit hour, interdisciplinary program that requires 37 credit hours in the major. Course examples include Introduction to Graphic Design; Advanced Interaction Design; Graphic Design Toolbox; Typographic Practice; Design Methods; Graphic Design Inquiry; Ethics of a Designer in the Global Economy; Type and Image; and Graphic Design Inquiry.
All Graphic Design BFA students benefit from the programs lecture series; designated studio spaces; 44/7 access to computer labs and state-of-the-art production facilities; and the opportunity to join the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Student Chapter. This professional organization provides networking opportunities, workshops, and trips Chicago-based design studios.
All Graphic Design BFA students also have the opportunity to take advantage of enrichment programming such as minors, internships, and 300+ study abroad programs in more than 50 countries.
The Graphic Design BFA program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign culminates with the Senior Portfolio Review held in Chicago and the Graphic Design Capstone. This advanced studio is the student’s final preparation for practice in graphic design. Capstone projects may be presented at the Annual BFA Exhibition held at UIUC’s Krannert Art Museum.
Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in advertising, user interface/user experience design (UI/UX), marketing, publications design, communications, multimedia design, and web design. Program alumni enjoy a 92% success rate (employed or pursuing an advanced degree).
The Art and Design MFA at UIUC is a 64 credit hour program that provides several areas of concentration. Ideal options for design students include Design for Responsible Innovation (formerly Graphic Design) and Interdisciplinary Studio-New Media. Students in both areas will explore digital interaction, information design, visual narrative, data visualization, systems thinking, and responsible practices in print media. Course examples include Ethics of a Designer in the Global Economy; Design for Responsible Innovation Research Impact; and MFA Design for Responsible Innovation Studio.
The Art and Design MFA program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign culminates with a written thesis and participation in the graduation exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of design. Program alumni can also pursue teaching or research positions or launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was established in 1867 as Illinois Industrial University. The second oldest public school in the state, UIUC serves more than 55,000 students from 50 U.S. states and 120+ countries. More than 250 programs are provided across 16 colleges and instructional units. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) houses the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts (CADA), home to the School of Design. Within the school is a Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Master of Design (MDes) in Graphic Design. The UIC School of Design also houses a studio-based, Design Studies BA for students who prefer an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes collaboration and hands-on projects.
Course examples for the program include Color Theory; Typography I: Form; Digital Media Design; Integrative Design Studio I-II; Typography II: Systems; Design Research Methods; Integrative Design Studio I-III; Human Experience in Design; Design Drawing; Integrative Studio Project; and Design Colloquium.
The Graphic Design BDes at UIC is a 132-unit program that requires 59 units in the major. The program begins with a Foundations Year, which consists of courses such as 2D Form Studio; Digital Media Design; Color Theory; 3D Form Studio; Design Drawing; Design Photography. In the Graphic Design major, students will complete courses such as Typography I-IV (Form, Systems, Expression, and Advanced Topics); Digital Media Design III: Motion Design; Digital Media Design III: Motion Design; Form and Image Studio; Digital Media IV: Advanced Topics; History of Design; and Information Aesthetics I-II.
Electives for the program allow students to study video game design and development and additional areas outside of the School of Design.
In the final year of the Graphic Design BDes program at UIC, students will complete two Senior Design Colloquium courses and the Graphic Design Thesis I-II courses.
The Graphic Design MDes at UIC is an intensive, collaborative program that takes two years to complete. A major component of is the study abroad experience. All Chicago-based students will participate in the Basel School of Design summer workshops, which take place at the FHNW HGK Basel Visual Communication Institute in Münchenstein, Switzerland.
Course examples for the Graphic Design MDes program include Advanced Graphic Design I-II; Documentation Studio; Research Seminar I-II; Combined Studio; Design Seminar; and Research Studio. Students may also study additional areas of design or other areas through the required 16 hours of graduate-level electives.
The culminating experience for the Graphic Design MDes program is the Master’s Research Project + Exhibition. Graduates of the BDes and MDes programs are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of design. Program alumni are Graphic Designers, Educators, Researchers, and more. System-wide, University of Illinois graduates are routinely hired at places such as Walt Disney, Amazon, Ford, Coca Cola, Microsoft, IBM, Target, State Farm, Walgreens, Nike, Pepsi, Chase, Apple, and Boeing.
University of Illinois Chicago serves 34,000 students, making it the largest university in the Chicago area. With roots dating back to 1859, when the Chicago College of Pharmacy was founded, UIC provides more than 250 degree programs and 85 minors across 16 academic colleges. The University of Illinois Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) is home to the School of Fine and Performing Arts, which has a Graphic Design program with BA, second BA, and BFA options. A 21 credit our Graphic Design minor is also available. This program can be added to any creative degree and explores graphic design, typography, web design and visual culture.
The second BA degree program is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another area. Students in the traditional BA program may choose a concentration and a minor or double major. Concentration options include Publication Design and Web Design. Majors that complement the BA program include Illustration, Advertising, Social Media and Digital Strategy, Arts Management, Communication, Public Relations, Computer Animation, Marketing, Interaction Design, and Immersive Media. Minors that complement the BA Program include Creative Advertising, Motion Graphics, User Experience, Design Management, Photography, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship.
The Graphic Design BFA program at Columbia College Chicago allows students to study in multiple areas of art and design. Course examples for the program include Graphic Design I-V (including topics such as Semiotics and Form, Branded Environments, and Visual Identity and Narrative); Design Thinking; History of Communication Design; Publication Design; Letterpress Studio; Motion Graphics; Design Lab; Experimental Typography for Graphic Design; Photo Communication; Website Design; and Business of Design.
Both the BA and BFA programs begin with foundations courses. All students will develop advanced skills in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Student also have opportunities to complete an internship. Examples of past placements include Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB), Leo Burnett, 50000feet Creative Agency, Pivot Design, Cards Against Humanity, and Pressley Johnson Design.
The Graphic Design BA and BFA programs at Columbia College Chicago culminate with a final project and professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Graduates go on to become Graphic Designers at advertising agencies, design studios, publishing companies, nonprofits, and start-ups, among others. Program alumni have been hired at places such as include Leo Burnett, Fjord (part of Accenture Interactive), Modern Luxury, Google, One Design Company, Time Zone One, and Cards Against Humanity.
Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. The school serves nearly 6,700 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia provides several business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
DePaul University (DePaul) is home to Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM), which houses three schools: Design, Cinematic Arts, and Computing. Within the CDM School of Design Pathways include the BFA and a minor. In collaboration with the College of Communication, Jarvis also provides a STEM-designated Digital Communication and Media Arts (DCMA) MA.
The CDM Graphic Design minor consists of 44 credit hours, allowing students to select at least six courses from a wide variety of options. All students will take Typography: Systems. Other course examples include Visual Design; Photoshop Workshop; 3D Design and Modeling; Design Principles for User Experience Design; Prototyping Methods I-II; Production Design; and Portfolio Workshop.
The Graphic Design BFA program at DePaul University explores package and product design, typography, illustration, branding, interaction design, motion graphics, and artificial intelligence (AI). Consisting of 208 credit hours, the program emphasizes community collaboration through studio and nonprofit internships; project-based courses; research opportunities with faculty; technical workshops; and study abroad experiences.
Course examples include Trends in Contemporary Graphic Design; Illustrator Workshop; Semiotics and Visual Design; Creative Studio Methods; Typography: Systems; Graphic Design: Form; Playgramming; Digital Illustration; Logo, Branding, and Visual Identity; Publication Design; Graphic Design: Concept; InDesign Workshop; Advertising Design; Typography: Projects Web Design Tools Workshop; Design Principles for User Experience Design; Animation for Non-Majors; and Histories of Design.
Courses, projects, and workshops take place in a studio environment with access to the state-of-the-art, 4,500 square foot Idea Realization Lab (IRL) and the Print Lab.
In the final year of the DePaul’s Graphic Design BFA program, students will complete a Capstone Project across two courses (Capstone I and Capstone II), and the Graphic Portfolio Development course. In this course, students will produce a professional portfolio of works, and develop resumes, cover letters, and business cards. The course also allows time for students to begin their job search by researching potential employers such as agencies, studios, and companies in order to customize their approach to each application process.
Graduates of the Graphic Design BFA program at DePaul University are prepared to pursue positions in advertising, publishing, marketing, entertainment, web design, packaging design, user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design, museums, education, and research.
The Digital Communication and Media Arts (DCMA) MA at DePaul University allows students to concentrate in Digital Arts or Digital Communication. Both areas provide opportunities to study graphic design through required courses and electives. All DCMA MA students will take Introduction to Visual Communications Principles or Introduction to Visual Communication Tools; Foundation of Digital Media; Design Thinking and Storytelling; Introduction to Digital Communication; and Digital Media Ethics. Students will also complete a thesis (two courses) and a final portfolio to graduate.
All DCMA students benefit from the School of Design Talks, featuring guest speakers; access to the Idea Realization Lab, a 32,000 square foot professional production facility, and writing labs; internships at places such as DKC, Facets Multimedia, and LX MGMT; study abroad opportunities; the visiting artists series; professional incubators; and participation in student organizations.
MA also have the opportunity to participate in Kaleidoscope, the School of Design’s Annual Year-End Showcase, where they will present their thesis projects alongside design BFA seniors presenting their capstone projects. Kaleidoscope takes place in June.
Graduates of the Digital Communication and Media Arts MA program at DePaul University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as interactive media design, online marketing, product digital media art, content creation, project management, social media, web design, and media art direction, design and development, digital media management, and mobile communications.
Across programs, DePaul University alumni have been hired at places such as The Walt Disney Company, Target, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Designer Shoe Warehouse, CopyPress, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, National Hellenic Museum, AltaVista, State Farm Insurance, GoHealth, and Urban Athlete.
Serving approximately 20,490 students across two campuses, DePaul University is one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation. Founded in 1898 the school provides more than 300 programs across 10 colleges and schools. DePaul University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
