| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Tennessee | Knoxville |
| 2 | University of Memphis | Memphis |
| 3 | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga |
| 4 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City |
| 5 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro |
Our 2024 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Tennessee. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Architecture and Design at University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT Knoxville or UTK) is home to the School of Design, which houses the Graphic Design BFA and the Graphic Design Studies minor.
The 15 credit hour, two-year minor is open to students from any discipline across UTK. The program consists of three lecture-based core courses and two course selections from several colleges. Core courses include The Idea of Design; The Art of Presentation Design; and The Art of Identity Design.
Students may select the remaining credits from course offerings such as Non-Major Introduction to Book Arts and Papermaking; Advertising Principles; Visual Communication for Non-Designers; User-Centered Design; Introduction to Journalism and Creative Media; and Public Relations Principles.
Students in both the minor and BFA enjoy 24/7 access to state-of-the-art production facilities; small class sizes; a studio setting; and collaborative design studios.
The UT Knoxville BFA is a four-year 120 credit hour program that emphasizes interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects. All students will begin the program with a foundational studies series, which ends with a portfolio review for entry into remaining three years of study. Foundational courses include Graphic Design Foundation Studio I-III, and The Idea of Design.
After passing the portfolio review, UTK graphic design students will move on to courses such as Interaction Design; Beginning Typography; Beginning Graphic Design I-II; Written Communication; Intermediate Graphic Design I-II; Advanced Graphic Design; Graphic Design Research Studio; Special Tropics in Graphic Design; Advanced Typography; Projection and Media Design; and Graphic Design Collaborative Engagement.
BFA students may also complete the Independent Study or Foreign Study course. All students will complete the Graphic Design Capstone for presentation at the Annual Senior Show.
Graduates of the UT Knoxville Graphic Design programs are prepared to pursue positions with in-house design departments; at advertising agencies, publishing companies, and magazines; design studios, marketing companies, public relations firms, film studios, web design studios, game studios, and museums.
Over the past five years, graduates of the Graphic Design programs at University of Tennessee, Knoxville have enjoyed a 90% employment rate. Program alumni have been hired at major companies, agencies, and design studios such as Accenture, IDEO, Boeing, Google, Coca-Cola, Apple, Herman Miller, Facebook, Discovery, Zillow, Instagram, and HGTV.
Some UTK Graphic Design graduates have gone on to launch their own design studios and freelance businesses. Examples include Robin Easter Design, Matchstic Media, Old City Mailroom, Nathanna Design, and Morris Creative.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville was founded in 1794 as Blount College. The school serves approximately 36,300 students enrolled in more than 900 programs across 14 colleges and schools. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been continuously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) since 1897.
The Department of Art and Design at University of Memphis (UofM) is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Housed in the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the department provides more than 25 programs leading to a BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MAT, minor or certificate.
For students seeking careers in graphic design, the department has several options. Degree seekers can earn BFA, MFA, or accelerated BFA/MFA (ABM) degrees in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design. For students seeking a shorter program, the Department of Art and Design has an 18 credit hour minor and a 12 credit hour graduate certificate. Courses for the Graphic Design minor include Typographic Design I-II; Computer Assisted Graphic Design; Visual Thinking; Image Design; Visual Thinking; and History of Graphic Design.
Launched in Fall 2021, the curriculum for the Graphic Design certificate explores the collaborative process, technology and interaction, and communication and methodology. Courses may be taken in any sequence and include Print Communication Design; Interactive Media Design; History of Graphic Design; and Writing/Design Process.
The Art BFA and MFA programs at University of Memphis explore print and digital design; industry-standard computer applications; visual communication; and creative solutions. Program features include access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment; courses taught by instructors with professional and design education experience; and internship opportunities at creative studios, agencies, design firms, and companies.
The Art BFA: Graphic Design requires 120 credit hours and the MFA requires 60 credit hours. BFA students will complete 67 hours in the major. Course examples include Visual Thinking; Design Practice Studio; Typographic Design I-II; Computer Assisted Graphic Design; Print Communication Design; Interactive Media Design; Graphic Design Method; and History of Graphic Design.
The Art BFA: Graphic Design program culminates with the Graphic Design Portfolio course, which leads to an extended visual communication project; written proposal; preparation of comprehensive layouts; and oral/visual presentation of a final project.
The Art MFA: Graphic Design consists of 42 credit hours in 7000-level courses. Course examples include Problems in Graphic Design; Visual Communication Research; and Graduate Studio Seminar. Completed on a three-year, full-time schedule, the MFA culminates with a Thesis Exhibition.
The ABM at UofM allows exceptional undergraduates to begin coursework for the Art MFA during their junior year. This means, ABM students can complete both programs in a much shorter amount of time than it takes to complete the BFA and MFA separately.
Graduates of the Art: Graphic Design programs at University of Memphis are prepared to pursue titles such as Graphic Designer, Computer Graphic Designer, Design Director, Multimedia Artist, Digital Media Designer, 3D Artist, Packaging Designer, Layout Designer, Advertising Designer, Exhibit Designer, Brand Manager, User Experience (UX) Designer, Illustrator, Multimedia Producer, Concept Artist, Web Designer, and Digital Artist.
University of Memphis was established in 1912 as West Tennessee State Normal School. This public research institution provides degrees in 375 areas of study across 13 colleges and schools. Serving approximately 21,735 students, UofM is the second largest university in Tennessee. University of Memphis is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC or UT Chattanooga) is home to the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), which houses 14 academic departments and over 70 degree programs. This is the largest college on the UTC campus. Within the CAS is the Department of Art (UTC Art) which provides a Graphic Design concentration for qualifying majors.
Leading to an Art BFA, the program features cooperative education assignments with partner companies; internships with local and national creative firms and studios; and access to state-of-the-art studios and equipment across five buildings on the UTC campus. Third and fourth year students also have access to private and shared studio spaces. Upper division students will participate in regular studio visits, faculty mentorship, and critiques.
The Art BFA with a concentration in Graphic Design consists of 120 credit hours of study. Course examples for the program include Expanded Drawing; Processes and Materials for Graphic Design; Typography I-II; Visual Literacy for Graphic Design; Space and Sequence; Interactive Media; Studio Processes; Graphic Design Workshop I-II; Design History; and Professional Practices in Graphic Design.
The Art: Graphic Design BFA program at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga culminates with a thesis project. In partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Department of Art hosts a Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Thesis Exhibition. All Graphic Design BFA students will have the opportunity to showcase their work at this annual public exhibition and artist lecture series.
Graduates are prepared to pursue positions at advertising agencies, magazines, book publishing firms, creative studios, marketing agencies, comic book publishers, newspapers, technology companies, web design studios, production studios (film and television), and public relations firms.
Founded in 1886, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga serves 11,380 students enrolled in over 250 undergraduate majors, minors, and graduate programs across five colleges and UTC Graduate School. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is home to the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, which houses the Department of Art and Design. Within the department are 12 areas of study, including Graphic Design. Students can earn a Graphic Design BFA or Studio Art MFA with an emphasis in Graphic Design.
The BFA program features opportunities to experience working with real clients through the Graphic Design Workshop. In this course, students will create materials for non-profit agencies, while gaining experience in production, design, and account management.
The curriculum for the ETSU Graphic Design BFA program explores branding, poster and logo design, animation, web design and package design. Course examples for the program include 4D Design; History of Graphic Design; Layout and Production; Typography; Intermediate Graphic Design; Digital Photography; Display and Package Design; Graphic Design Theory; and Drawing.
Students can develop skills in different areas of art and design through the 18 required credits of electives. Examples include Book Arts; Relief Printmaking; Comic Book Illustration; Intaglio; Advanced Illustration; Lithography; 3D Printing; Screen Printing; and Intermediate Photography.
In the final year of the ETSU Graphic Design program, students will complete Senior Projects in Design. The program culminates with the BFA Graphic Design Capstone course and the Graphic Design Portfolio and Exhibition.
Graduates of the BFA program are prepared to pursue graduate studies and design roles across industries. Program alumni work at places such as design firms, advertising agencies, publishing companies, marketing firms, film studios, newspapers and magazines, web design studios, and in corporate graphic design departments.
The Studio Art MFA at East Tennessee State University is a 60 credit hour program that features assigned studio spaces; visiting artists; graduate assistantships; and opportunities to exhibit work in the Slocumb Galleries on campus. Students in the Graphic Design emphasis will complete 42 credits in graduate studio courses; nine credits in graduate art history; Methods of Research in Studio; one graduate elective course; and a thesis.
Graduates of the ETSU Studio Art MFA are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries, as well as teaching, consulting, and research positions.
East Tennessee State University was established in 1911 as East Tennessee State Normal School. With campuses in Johnson City, and centers in Kingsport, Elizabethton, and Bristol, ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students enrolled in more than 140 programs across eleven colleges and schools. East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) College of Liberal Arts houses the Department of Art and Design, and the Graphic Design BFA (GD BFA)program. With the largest enrollment of any program in the department, the GD BFA program features access to state-of-the-art Apple computer labs and studios; seminars and workshops led by faculty and professionals in the industry; internship opportunities at regional studios and businesses; and participation in the Graphic Design Show.
The MTSU Graphic Design BFA program requires 41 credit hours in the True Blue Core (TBC) and 79 credit hours in the major for a total of 120 credit hours. Students may take up to three credit hours of free electives outside of the 79 credit hours in the major. The major requires 25 hours of GD electives and nine hours of studio electives.
The True Blue Core (TBC) consists of courses in foundational skills, knowledge domains, discovery, and explorations. Course examples across areas include Expository Writing; Applied Statistics; Social Problems; Introduction to Media and Entertainment; Thinking: Intelligence and Creativity; Discovering Physics; The World of Music; Topics in Art and Design; and Themes in Global History.
Course examples for the major include Introduction to Interaction Design; Graphic Design Technologies; Word and Image; Drawing I-II; Introduction to Illustration; and Typographic Design. GD electives come from five areas: Interaction, Print Media, Illustration. Photography, and Design. Students must select three credits from Illustration and three credits from Interaction. The remaining credits are student's choice, allowing them to craft a focus area.
Course examples across areas the five areas include Package Design; Digital Print Production; Print Media: Book Arts; Comic Book Illustration; In-House Design; Editorial and Advertising Illustration; Narrative Strategies in Photography; Integrated Brand Design; and Interface Design. Studio electives cover areas such as sculpture, print media, figure painting, printmaking, and letterpress.
In the final year of the GD BFA program at Middle Tennessee State University, students will complete the Portfolio I-II courses, and the Senior Project.
Graduates are prepared to pursue graduate study or design roles across industries. Possible job titles include Graphic Designer, Advertising Designer, Illustrator, Publications Designer, Creative Director, Motion Graphics Designer, Design Editor, Book Designer, Package Designer, Communications Specialist, Corporate Designer, Exhibit Designer, Interactive Designer, and Educator.
Middle Tennessee State University alumni have been hired at places such as Gannet Co., Inc., Dell, Nissan, Delta Airlines, Johnson & Johnson, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Brown-Foreman Corporation, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Asurion, Gannett, Yeah Yeah Creative, Blue Tractor Design, HCA, LaCroix Design Co., South Central Media, The Lamp Group, and Mother Nature Network.
Middle Tennessee State University was established in 1909 as Middle Tennessee State Normal School. The school opened with 125 students on September 11, 1911. Today, MTSU serves approximately 20,095 students enrolled in more than 300 programs across eight undergraduate colleges and the College of Graduate Studies. Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
