| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati |
| 2 | The Ohio State University | Columbus |
| 3 | Kent State University | Kent |
| 4 | Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green |
| 5 | Cleveland Institute of Art | Cleveland |
Our 2024 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Ohio. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) at the University of Cincinnati (UC) is home to the Myron E. Ullman Jr. School of Design. Within the school is a Communication Design program that features five semester-long co-op experiences. These paid opportunities are part of the UC Co-op Program, which has been in existence for more than 100 years.
Participation is mandatory for all DAAP students, and these paid experiences take place at Fortune 500 companies and abroad in places such as Morocco, South America, and China. Examples of past co-op employers include Disney, IBM, Nike, Procter & Gamble, Guess, Toyota, 3M, Abercrombie & Fitch, Southwest Airlines, Macy’s, GE Aviation, and Kroger.
In addition to opportunities to gain valuable paid experience, the five-year, 120 credit hour Communication Design program at UC provides access to state-of-the-art production labs and studios; a curriculum that emphasizes studio-based learning that explores graphic, motion, and interaction design; and the opportunity to customize a focus area through electives.
Course examples for the program include Welcome to Design; Typography 1-3; Design and the Future; Collaborative Studio; Design Aesthetics 1-3; Design and Meaning; Motion Design 1-2; Interaction Design 1-2; and Graphic Design 1-2; Design in History I-II; and Applied Professional Practice - DAAP. The Communication Design program culminates with a final project and portfolio. The program leads to a BS in Design (BSDES) with a Communication Design major.
At the graduate level, University of Cincinnati has a multidisciplinary STEM Master of Design (MDes) program that explores user experience (UX), industrial design, communication, and fashion design. Considered the terminal degree in the field, the MDes also covers design strategy, systems thinking, design methods, and designing for social impact.
Course examples for the program include Design Communication; Research Methods; Proposal Studio; Professional Development Seminar; Translational Research; Design Strategy; and Writing Studio.
The MDes program culminates with the Thesis Development; Defense Studio; and Thesis Delivery courses. Final projects will be exhibited at the Annual UC DAAPworks Show.
Graduates of the Design programs at University of Cincinnati have been hired at design firms across the U.S.; they work on internal design teams across industries; and many alumni have launched their own design studios and freelance businesses. Some graduates also go on to teach or perform research for various businesses.
Founded in 1819, University of Cincinnati is an urban research university serves approximately 50,920 students enrolled in more than 400 academic programs across 14 colleges and three campuses. The school has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1919. As an Ohio Public Institution, every program at UC is also approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE).
The College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University (OSU) provides several paths to study Graphic Design. Houses in the college’s Department of Design is a Bachelor of Science in Design (BSD) in Visual Communication Design, and a Design Thinking Minor. The college’s Department of Art houses an interdisciplinary Visual Arts MFA.
The Design Thinking Minor is a 15 credit hour program that covers the basics of design. Courses include Introduction to Design Practice, Design History, Exploring Design Thinking, Visualization as Thinking, and Presentation as Thinking. Students in all departments may add the Design Thinking Minor to their degree program.
The Visual Communication Design BSD provides research opportunities; the chance to study with students from Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo, Brazil; portfolio development throughout the program; the opportunity to pursue the Arts Honor Program; and participation in Design Week in Milan, Italy. BSD students may also get involved with student organizations such as NOMA: Designers for Diversity; D3: Design Develop Deploy; and Design for 90.
Course examples for the OSU BSD program include Design Media I-IV for Visual Communication Design; Typographic Design; Materials, Process, and Production for Visual Communication Design; Visual Principles and Techniques I-II; Advanced Collaborative Design; and Design History.
Graduates of the Visual Communication Design BSD at OSU are prepared to pursue creative roles across industries. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Imagineering, McGraw-Hill Education, Microsoft, IBM, Publicis Sapient, Abercrombie & Fitch, Push Digital, WD Partners, Wildflower Press + Paper, Creative Spot, Sketch Blue, Ring, MKSK, Impact Communications, and Roto Group.
The Visual Arts MFA at The Ohio State University is a three-year, 66 credit hour program that provides 24/7 access to private and semi-private studios, state-of-the-art facilities and exhibition spaces, and the Wexner Center for the Arts—a renowned contemporary art center located on the OSU campus. MFA students also benefit from access to the Fine Arts and Cartoon Libraries; the OSU-run Urban Arts Space located in downtown Columbus; and interactions with visiting artists, critics, and curators.
Students in this full-time program may specialize in a variety of design disciplines through electives and other coursework. The OSU Visual Arts MFA program culminates with the MFA Thesis Exhibition held at the Urban Arts Space. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across all areas of design.
The Ohio State University was established in 1870 as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The school serves 64,405 students across six regional campuses including Columbus (main), Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and OSU’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster. More than 200 majors, minors, and specializations are provided across 18 colleges and schools. The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The College of Communication and Information at Kent State University (KSU or Kent State) houses the School of Visual Communication Design (VCD), which emphasizes cross-disciplinary study and mandatory internships at companies and design studios in place such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Cleveland. Many VCD internships are paid.
All VCD students also benefit from international study experiences; intensive portfolio development; and access to the recently renovated spaces of Taylor Hall. This includes the Creative Lab, photography studios, lounges, a signature gallery, production studios, and classrooms.
For students seeking a degree in graphic design, the School of VCD has BA, BFA, MA, and MFA options. All VCD programs allow students to add an emphasis in Visual Design (Graphic Design). Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the BA and BFA programs also require a minor or secondary area of study. Examples include Advertising; Management; Visual Journalism; Public Relations; Entrepreneurship for Non-Business Majors; Health Communication; and Marketing.
Students in all undergraduate programs will complete the Kent State University Core. Consisting of 36-37 credit hours, the KSU Core covers six areas including Humanities and Fine Arts; Composition; Basic Sciences; Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; Social Sciences; and Additional Options. All undergraduate options explore package design, 2D and 3D forms, motion, interactive design, print, illustration and design, video, exhibition design, and environmental design.
The VCD BA and BFA programs at KSU culminate with a final project, portfolio and exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue design careers across industries. Examples include advertising agencies, packaging companies, design consulting firms, branding agencies, PR firms, publishing companies, production studios (entertainment), media and communications companies, museums, and galleries.
The graduate VCD program at Kent State is one of only three programs in the state of Ohio to offer a Visual Communication Design MA. The graduate program was also the first to offer the terminal degree in the field—the MFA. The MA is a 32 credit hour program that can be completed in just three semesters. Course examples include Advanced Graphic Design Advanced; Typographic Structures and Systems; User Experience Design Principles and Concepts; Design Research Methods; and Concept Development and Implementation.
The VCD MA at Kent State University culminates with the MA Project in Graphic Design and Illustration and a portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as advertising, packaging, user experience (UX) design, corporate branding, digital media, entertainment, publishing, and social media.
The Kent State VCD MFA is a 60 credit hour, five semester program that combines research, theory, and design coursework with hands-on teaching experiences at the freshman and sophomore level. Course examples for the program include Graduate Studio in VCD; Typography II; College Teaching in VCD; Graphic Narrative; Critical Practices in Design Research; Integrated Brand Design; Editorial Illustration; Typeface Design; Identity Systems; Information Design; Experimental Typography; Advertising Illustration; Brand Experiences; Responsive Web Design; and Glyphix Research Laboratory.
The VCD MFA program at KSU culminates with the MFA Thesis course, worth six credits. During the course of this final project, students will work with their thesis advisor to produce a body work demonstrating skill as a professional designer, illustrator, or researcher.
Graduates of the MFA VCD program are prepared to pursue leadership roles in design, design education, and design research. With an 89% employment (or continuing education) rate, Kent State graduates can be found at places such as NASA, Express, ESPN, Tesla, Cleveland Clinic, Delta Air Lines, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Established in 1910 as a teacher training school, Kent State University comprises an eight-campus system that serves approximately 33,000 students from across the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Students at Kent State have access to more than 300 programs housed across 40+ colleges, departments, and schools. Kent State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The College of Arts and Sciences at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) was founded as the College of Liberal Arts in 1929. With 20+ departments and four schools providing more than 100 areas of study, 25 master’s degree programs, and 12 doctoral options, the College of Arts and Sciences is BGSU’s largest college. Within the college is also one of the largest and oldest state art schools in Ohio—the BGSU School of Art.
Established more than 75 years ago and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1984, the BGSU School of Art houses five divisions including Graphic Design; Art History; Studio; Digital Arts; and Art Education. Across divisions, students have opportunities to complete an internship at places such as Pixar, American Greetings, PBS, Disney, and Procter & Gamble; and study abroad in places such as France, Italy, China, and Japan.
Students in all divisions also have access to the BGSU Graphic Design facilities. Housed in the Fine Arts Center and Wolfe Center for the Arts, facilities include: the CAVE (Center for Advanced Visualization and Education) Lab; 20 state-of-the-art workstations equipped with the Adobe Creative Cloud and the Adobe Typeface Library; and an additional lab with access to the collaborative space—the Digital Arts Classroom.
The Graphic Design Division in the School of Art has two paths to study graphic design: the Graphic Design BFA and the Integrative Design MDes.
The MDes is a low-residency, hybrid program that requires just three campus visits each semester and a one-week visit during the summer. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MDes has flexible two-year, three-year, and four-year options. All students will have opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary activities with corporate and non-profit partners in Ohio and across the U.S.
Students in this terminal degree program will complete courses, seminars, and studios such as Graphic Design History + Integrative Models; Collaborative Design Studio I and II: Design for Social Impact; Design Studio III and IV: Integrative Strategies, Theory and Implementation; and Design Research and Methods.
MDes students may focus in an area or interest through elective such as Special Audience Research; Topics in Digital Arts; Perspectives in Visual Arts Education; Techniques in Demographic Analysis; Collaborative Multimedia Development; and Exhibit Project and Oral Defense. This capstone course leads to a public exhibition and review.
The Graphic Design BFA at Bowling Green State University is a 120 credit hour program that consists of art foundations, the graphic design studio core, studio area, art history, and other support courses. Examples include Media Studio: Space and Time; Survey of world Art; Information Design; Typography; User Experience/User Interface Design; Drawing Studio: Perception, Practice, Process; Systems-Based Graphic Design; Three Dimensional Graphic Design; Time Based Graphic Design; Graphic Design History and Integrative Models; Design for Social Impact; and Western Art.
Students in this professional degree program will also complete the Graphic Design Studio Capstone across four courses including Graphic Design Senior Thesis (three courses) and Senior Studio in Graphic Design. Student's final projects will be presented at the end-of-semester Senior Graphic Design Portfolio Show.
Graduates of the Design and Graphic Design programs at Bowling Green State University are prepared to pursue creative roles in industries such as advertising, marketing, publishing, consulting, web design, media, technology, manufacturing, food and beverage, education, insurance, government, healthcare, finance, IT, telecommunications, military, and ecommerce. MDes graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in these industries and many others.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Nike, United Health Group, F+W Media, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hobby Lobby, American Greetings, J. Crew, Progressive, Uber, Cleveland Institute of Art, Owens Corning, Toledo Museum of Art, Cooper-Smith Advertising, JP Morgan Chase, Landor Associates, Noir Marketing + PR, Root Inc., 10 Red Design, and Toledo Museum of Art.
Bowling Green State University was established in 1910 as a teacher-training institution. Today, the school provides more than 200 programs to a population of 19,600 students. Programs at BGSU are housed across six academic colleges and two campuses. Bowling Green State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) has a Graphic Design (GDS) major that explores both traditional an demerging methods of graphic methods. Studies will include production; event and exhibition design; motion graphics; editorial and publication design; print; interaction design; advertising design; and marketing design. Students will have opportunities to discover other areas of design through mandatory collaborations with peers from Industrial Design and Interior Architecture.
Other program benefits include opportunities to work on real-world projects with CIA partners, clients, and businesses in the community; access to a professional-level studio equipped with printing equipment, wireless internet, and a full construction area; a state-of-the-art computer lab, digital print output center, and presentation spaces; and internship and study abroad opportunities.
Leading to a BFA, the Graphic Design program also features courses such as Graphics for Design; Typography I-II; Hand Made Book; Design for Communication I-II; Contemporary Marketing + Art Direction; Web Design/Interactive I-II; Professional Practices: Industry; User Experience/User Interface Design; Package Design; Graphic Design: Advanced Studio; Publication Design; Professional Practices: Entrepreneurial Ventures; and Professional Practices: Studio to Gallery.
The Graphic Design program at Cleveland Institute of Art culminates with the Graphic Design BFA Thesis and Graphic Design: BFA Statement + Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of graphic design. Potential job titles include Senior Graphic Designer, Advertising Designer, Book Designer, Motion Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Packaging Designer, Digital Designer, Visual Designer, Production Artist, UX Designer, Web Designer, Brand Strategist, and Interaction Designer.
Cleveland Institute of Art was chartered as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882. This independent, not-for-profit college enrolls approximately 600 students served by 50 full-time and 60 adjunct faculty who are all professional artists and designers. CIA provides 13 design, entertainment arts, crafts, and fine arts majors across several departments. Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
