| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University | West Lafayette |
| 2 | Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington |
| 3 | University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Ball State University | Muncie |
| 5 | Indiana University Indianapolis | Indianapolis |
Our 2024 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Indiana. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University is home to the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Dance, Art, and Performance. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the school houses the Department of art and Design, which has a Visual Communications Design (VCD) program leading to a BFA or MFA.
The VCD BFA consists of 126 credit hours with 78 credits in the major. The program focuses on group and individual projects that focus on poster design, multimedia design, typography, packaging design, information design, and web design. Course examples for the program include, Visual Communication Design I-IV; Interactive Design Studies; Advertising Media Strategy; Fundamentals of Interactive Multimedia Design; Advanced Typography; Visual Communication Design Computing I-II; New Product Development; Advanced Poster Design; Physical Computing; Information Design; Advanced Web Design for Visual Communication Design; and Professional Practice for Visual Communication Design.
All Purdue VCD students have the opportunity to complete the Art and Design Internship course. is Worth 1-8 credit hours, this experiential opportunity takes place at an art-and-design-related firm, department, or studio.
Graduates of the VCD BFA program at Purdue University are prepared to pursue positions such as Graphic Designer, UX Designer, Brand Manager, Package Designer, Advertising Artist, Creative Director, Design Consultant, and Web Designer.
The VCD MFA at Purdue University is an interdisciplinary program that explores information design, typography, critical theory, poster design, web communications, advanced color design, design methodology, research methods, and design history. The program also features an 18-21 credit hour first-year curriculum; immersive studios; interdisciplinary seminars; and elective coursework.
During the final year of the VCD MFA at Purdue University, students will work on their MFA Thesis and Exhibition. This event includes a presentation and public gallery talk about the student's final project.
Graduates of the Purdue University VCD MFA program are prepared to pursue advanced roles in art and design. Job titles include Brand Manager, Creative Director, Design Educator, Senior Graphic Designer, Graphic Design Consultant, Senior Packaging Designer, Web Designer, Art Director, Multimedia Designer, Design Researcher, and Educator.
Established in 1869, Purdue University is a public research university that opened with six instructors and 39 students on September 16, 1874. Today, Purdue employs more than 10,000 full-time faculty members and employees that serve approximately 50,885 students from all 50 states and 130 countries. Purdue University offers more than 400 programs in 11 colleges and schools. Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design (SOAAD) at Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) provides more than 30 degrees across 14 areas in art, architecture, design, and merchandising. Part of the College of Arts and Sciences, SOAAD also houses the McKinney Visiting Artist Series, which features workshops, critiques, lectures and gallery talks led by some of the nation’s most notable working artists.
Among the programs in the Eskenazi School are three options for graphic designers including the Studio Art BA, BFA, and MFA. Students in all programs may concentrate in Graphic Design. In addition to the McKinney Series, program benefits include interdisciplinary collaborations and cross-disciplinary workshops; internship opportunities at places such as Universal Studios, Amazon, Macy’s, and Urban Outfitters; and study abroad experiences in places such as Italy, Florence, and Japan.
To gain work experience, all SOAAD students have opportunities to work with independent artists through the apprenticeship program, departments on campus, or at local businesses. Across programs, graphic design students will also work and in state-of-the-art facilities such as The Letterpress Studio; Student Technology Centers (STCs) equipped with Mac and PC workstations outfitted with Adobe Creative Cloud software; and Digital Printing Labs.
Part of IU Bloomington Eskenazi School since the 1960s and housed in the Fine Arts Building, The Letterpress Studio is equipped with Vandercook presses, wood and metal fonts, an Anderson Vreeland Orbital X Platemaker, a bookbinding press, a guillotine paper cutter, and a foil stamper. BFA and MFA students have access to individual workspaces, with separate shared studio spaces.
BA, BFA, and MFA Studio Art students in the Graphic Design concentration will explore imagery, systems, typography, and grids while creating posters, packaging, apps, logos, and other digital media. Course examples across undergraduate programs include Introduction to Art, Design, and Merchandising; Typography; Creative Core: 3D Design; Art History I-III; Printmaking Advanced Studio; Digital Art Survey and Practice; Interactive Multimedia; Computer Graphical Environments; and Visual Studies.
MFA students will take courses such as Graduate Graphic Design; Graphic Design Problem Solving; Graphic Design Seminar; Graduate Topics in Graphic Design; and Graphic Design Advanced Studio Projects.
The Studio Art BA program at Indiana University Bloomington culminates with a final portfolio of the student's best work. The BFA program culminates with the BFA Thesis Exhibition in Grunwald Gallery of Art at IU Bloomington. During the final semester of the Studio Art MFA program, students will complete a thesis to be displayed in the Grunwald Gallery. The MFA Thesis Exhibition opens with a reception that allows students to present a summary of their work to the public.
Graduates of the Studio Art: Graphic Design programs at Indiana University Bloomington are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Recent graduates have gone on to become Graphic Designers, Marketing Specialists, Product Designers, UX Designers, Social Media Coordinators, Digital Production Artists, Illustrators, Gallery and Museum Assistants, freelance artists, and business owners.
Program alumni hold these titles and others at places such as The E.W. Scripps Company, PwC, International Center of Photography; Interbrand, MediaFuel, Phillips Collection, Eight Wonder Studio, Colliers International, Paragon Force, LGE Design Build, Wild Spirit Designs, and Whalar, Inc.
Indiana University Bloomington is the flagship campus of Indiana University’s seven campus system, which serves approximately 90,100 degree-seeking students enrolled in more than 980 academic programs. Serving 47,005 students, IU Bloomington is the largest school in the system and one of the largest universities in the Midwest. Established in 1820, the school provides more than 550 academic programs across 16 degree-granting colleges and schools. Indiana University Bloomington is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The College of Arts and Letters at University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) houses the Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD). This multidisciplinary department us home to the Division of Design, which provides BA, BFA, and MFA degrees in Design. A Collaborative Innovation minor is available for students who would like to major in another area.
This option consists of a five-course sequence that begins with the lecture-based course Design Matters. Students will then select the remaining four courses from three areas including Inspiration - research, discovery, reframing; Ideation – design, brainstorming; and Implementation – prototyping, delivery. Course examples include Introduction to Visual Communication Design; Design Research: From Insight to Innovation; Community-Based Design; Digital Modeling: 3D Form and Fabrication; and Interaction Design.
The Capstone for the program—Service Design: Strategies for Social Systems—requires students to work in interdisciplinary teams on industry-sponsored design briefs from innovation to implementation.
The Design BA at University of Notre Dame is a liberal arts degree with traditional and professional tracks. The traditional track consists of 12 courses/36 hours with a three-course core during the first year and a capstone project in the final year of the program. The professional track consists of 16 courses/38 hours, with a focus on portfolio development. The professional portfolio is the culminating experience for this program.
The Design BFA is a 22 course (66 hours) program that begins with a three-course studio core: Design Matters; 2-D Foundations; and Rapid Ideation & Visualization (or Drawing I). The culminating experience for this program is the Thesis and Exhibit held at the AAHD Gallery.
The MFA is a three-year terminal degree that provides full scholarships and an annual stipend for all students. Course examples include VCOM and ID Seminar; Painting/Printmaking Seminar; and Thesis Direction. The Master’s Thesis will be installed in the Snite Museum for review and approval.
Students the Design BA, BFA, and MFA programs at Notre Dame may concentrate in Visual Communication Design (VCD). This allows students to explore user-centered design (UCD), packaging design, digital modeling and visualization, cultural divergence, product automation, UX/UI, scale-graphics, social innovations, data visualization, social design, and healthcare. Course examples for the BA and BFA programs include Typography; Brand and Identity Systems; UI/UX Design; Motion Design; Packaging Design; Sustainability of Designed Objects; Digital Modeling; and Visual Communication Design Studio.
To further enhance all program curriculums, the Division of Design at Notre Dame allows students to collaborate with faculty and peers in other departments and colleges. Examples include the Colleges of Engineering or Science; the IDEA Center at Innovation Park; the School of Architecture; Mendoza Business School, and Keough School for Global Affairs.
Other program features include local and campus-based projects; study abroad opportunities in places such as India, Haiti, South Africa, and Nepal; and summer internships with local companies, organizations, and designs studios.
Graduates of the Design programs at University of Notre Dame are prepared to pursue roles across industries. MFA graduates are also prepared to pursue teaching, research, consulting, and other leadership roles.
Within six months of graduating, 97% of Notre Dame Arts and Letters graduates are employed full-time, enrolled in graduate school, participating in service programs, in the military, or working on independent projects. Notre Dame Department of AAHD graduates have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Microsoft, HarperCollins, DreamWorks Animation, Ogilvy & Mather, Digitas, Whirlpool, LinkedIn, Accenture, Southwest Airlines, Booz Allen Hamilton, Giorgio Armani, Morningstar, IBM, The Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Inquirer, Deloitte, 2K Games, Bain & Company, and JPMorganChase.
Formerly a men’s university, University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 and chartered by the State of Indiana in 1844. This private, Catholic college became coeducational in 1972. Notre Dame serves approximately 13,175 students enrolled in 75 undergraduate majors and more than 20 graduate programs across eight colleges and schools. University of Notre Dame is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The College of Fine Arts at Ball State University (BSU) houses the School of Art. Within the school is a Graphic Design major leading to a BFA or BS. Program features include small class sizes; a collaborative studio environment led by instructors who are professionals in the field; opportunities to gain experience through the student design firm Studio 165+, which attracts regional, national, and international clients; and portfolio development.
The Ball State Graphic Design major leading to a BFA requires 84 credit hours. This includes 24 credits in studio art, 33 credit hours in graphic design, 21 credits in electives, and three credits in CFA SOAR. For the remaining three credits, students may choose one of the following: School of Art Internship, the Design Practicum, or Collaborative Design Studio.
The program explores user interface and user experience design (UI/UX), branding, digital design, motion graphics, publication design, typography, illustration, packaging design, wayfinding systems, app design, and web design. Course examples include Drawing Studio; Graphic Design I-II; 3D Foundations Studio; Motion Graphics for Graphic Design; History of Graphic Design; Advanced Practices 1-2; Web Design; 4D Foundations Studio; Special Topics; and Research and Professional Practices in Design.
The Ball State Graphic Design major leading to a BS requires 48 credit hours. Course examples include Graphic Design I-II; Cross Media Communications; Packaging Technology; Web Design; Screen and Specialty Graphics; Advanced Practices 2; Impact Printing Processes; and Art History: Global Traditions. Students will also take career development courses such as Transition to the Profession: Careers In, Around, and Beyond the Arts; and Creating Your Career: Essential Skills and the Arts.
The Ball State Graphic Design BFA and BS programs culminate with the Senior Project and Portfolio course. Graduates of are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. As part of Ball State University, program alumni enjoy a 90% job placement rate. Potential job titles include Graphic Designer, UI/UX Designer, Communications Manager, Advertising Designer, Video Editor, Book Designer, Creative Director, Packaging Designer, Illustrator, Exhibit Designer, Brand Manager, and Web Designer.
Program alumni have worked at places such as Google, Walt Disney World, NASA, Herron School of Art + Design, the Seattle Seahawks, UPS, the Star Tribune, Bradley and Montgomery, VMware, LPK, Hirons Advertising, High Alpha Studio, Optum, Hook Studios, and The Ohio State University.
Founded in 1918 as the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division, Ball State University serves approximately 20,440 students enrolled in 113 majors and 12 preprofessional options across seven academic colleges. The school also houses 357 student organizations and more than 150 study abroad programs. Ball State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) provides 20 programs leading to a BA, BAE, BFA, MA, MDes, MFA, MS, or PhD. For students seeking careers in graphic design, the school has a Visual Communication Design (VCD) BFA program and a Communication Design MDes. The graduate program replaces the MFA in Communication Design.
The VCD BFA program focuses on team projects and design research. All students in this multidisciplinary professional degree program will begin with the Foundation Studies year. This required component explores basic principles, materials, and techniques of 2-D and 3-D design, time-based media, visual culture, drawing, digital technology, color theory, and fabrication. During the first year, students will also have the opportunity to work with faculty, visiting artists, and designers to develop creative thinking and making skills.
Course examples for the VCD BFA include Foundations of Graphic Design; Building and Making; Brand Identity Design; Drawing I-II; Studio Art and Technology; History of Visual Communication; Typography I-III; Design, Media, and Culture; Designing in Context; History of Art I-II; Information Design; and Kinetic Design.
In addition to in-demand courses, VCD BFA students have access to minor options such as Studio Art and Technology, Book Arts, and Art History. Other program features include required professional practice internships with local and national businesses; access to eight VCD design studios, plus research and studio spaces including the Think It Make It Lab, book arts studio, woodshops, the Herron Art Library, and photo lighting studios; and dedicated workstations in a shared studio for juniors and seniors.
The VCD BFA program at Indiana University Indianapolis culminates with the Capstone in Visual Communication Design course worth six credits. Final projects will be presented at the VCD Senior Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Graphic Designer, Interactive Designer, Book Designer, Art Director, Mobile App Designer, User Experience Designer, Package Designer, Motion Graphics Animator, Exhibit Designer, Typeface Designer, Broadcast Designer, and Brand Strategist.
The Herron Communication Design MDes at IU Indianapolis is a 30 credit hour program that focuses on interdisciplinary teamwork on projects that explore product, environment, and service design. Throughout the program, students will attend seminars; take design method classes in ideating and prototyping; and engage in experimentation labs through the Collaborative Action Research in Design courses. Other course examples include Introduction to Design Research; Integrative Systems; Design Leadership; Design Thinking and Sensemaking; Design Facilitation; Design Methods for Framing Problems; and Design Management.
In the final year of the Communication Design MDes, students will complete and present a thesis across five courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles with businesses, institutions, organizations, and communities. Possible job titles include Senior Graphic Designer, Human-Centered Design Strategist, Design Thinking Specialist, Innovation Manager, Customer Experience Specialist, Design Manager, Innovation Consultant, Art Director, and Design Research Manager.
Indiana University Indianapolis launched as an independent campus on July 1, 2024 after a decades-long partnership with Purdue University. The school serves more than 25,000 students, including more than 8,400 graduate and professional students. Programs include 375+ degrees and certificates housed across 16 colleges and schools. Indiana University Indianapolis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
