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What are the top Utah graphic design schools for 2024?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University | Provo |
| 2 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City |
| 3 | Utah State University | Logan |
| 4 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City |
| 5 | Utah Valley University | Orem |
Our 2024 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Utah. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
The Design Department at Brigham Young University (BYU) is part of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. Within the department are six degree programs, including a limited enrollment Graphic Design BFA. For students seeking a shorter program with a flexible schedule, BYU also has a Graphic Design Fundamentals certificate program that builds into the school’s BAS in Professional Studies (BAS PS).
The certificate consists of 12 credit hours. Courses include Introduction to Graphic Design; Adobe CC Basics; Typography I; and Graphic Design. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to pursue positions such as Junior Graphic Designer, Marketing Production Artist, Junior Production Artist, and Design Assistant.
Although the Graphic Design Fundamentals certificate can prepare students for employment in the field, many graduates continue into the BAS PS program. This four-year option is designed for students who would like to tailor the curriculum to meet their specific career goals.
The Graphic Design BFA at Brigham Young University is a 120 credit hour professional degree program that focuses on design thinking; professional practice, design across media types, effective communication through design; design impact and sustainability; and cultural change, context, and audience. Course examples include Motion Concepts; Interaction and Design Systems; Typography 1-2; Analog Motion; Design Theory; History of Graphic Design; 3D Motion; Collaborative Design: Brand and Strategy; Advanced Interaction Design; Interface and Usability; Letterpress Studio; Ethnographic Research Design; 3-Dimensional Design; Design Lab; and Design Lecture Series.
The program also provides a number of career and business courses to prepare students for entry into the field or to launch their own design studios. Course examples include Marketing Management; Introduction to Entrepreneurship; Studio Practices for Designers; Introduction to Advertising; New Venture LaunchPad; and Career Strategies.
All Graphic Design BFA students at BYU will complete a design internship. For the culminating experience, students may complete the BFA Capstone, consisting of three courses, or Collab. UX Design: Discovery, Research, and Implement—three separate courses totaling 6.5 credits.
Graduates of the Graphic Design BFA program at Brigham Young University are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as advertising, branding and product design, data visualization, publishing, interaction design, user interface/user experience (UI/UX), exhibit design, motion graphics, mobile app development, and web design.
BYU graduates have been hired at places such as NASA, Amazon, Walt Disney, Microsoft, Walmart, Boeing, Visa, Apple, Wells Fargo, Nestle, Southwest Airlines, Nike, Adobe, Target, eBay, Raytheon, Samsung, PepsiCo, JCPenny, Dell, Toyota, Marriott, Ford, Overstock.com, Allstate, Verizon, Intel, Divvy, AT&T, USAA, General Motors, NortonLifeLock, Oracle, Procter & Gamble, FedEx, KPMG, Lenovo, Capital One, Delta Airlines, HP, and Bank of America.
Brigham Young University was founded as Brigham Young Academy (BYA) in 1875 by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Brigham Young. With more than 35,000 students from the U.S. and 105 countries, BYU is the one of the largest private universities in the nation. The school provides approximately 435 programs across more than a dozen colleges and departments. Campuses include BYU-Utah, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College.
Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
2. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
The College of Fine Arts at University of Utah (The U) is home to the Department of Art and Art History. Within the department is a Graphic Design BFA program that consists of 122 credit hours, with a minimum of 79 in the major. Formerly the BFA in Studio Art with a Graphic Design emphasis, this new and improved program begins with three studio art foundations courses; Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture; Typography 1: Form And Space; and Writing.
To advance into the second year of the program, students must successfully complete all first year coursework and submit a portfolio. A second year review is required to advance into the third year of the program. Second and third year course examples include Communication Design 1-5; Digital Drawing; Typography 1-3; Design Strategy; Visual Rhetoric; Writing for New Media; Digital Imaging for Visual Artists; and History of Graphic Design.
Examples of upper division courses include Visiting Designer Studio: Design Co-op; Design Theory and Practice; and Professional Practices Seminar. The Visiting Designer Studio consists of studio-based projects and workshops led by guest lecturers. In the Professional Practices Seminar, students will complete a portfolio and professional resume.
The Graphic Design BFA program at University of Utah culminates with the Graphic Design Capstone 1: Research and Inquiry, and Graphic Design Capstone 2: Development and Presentation courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions at places such as design studios, advertising agencies, publishing companies, marketing firms, web design studios, museums, and universities.
Founded in 1850, University of Utah is the state’s public flagship institution. Also a top-tier research university, The U serves approximately 35,240 students enrolled more than 200 programs across 17 colleges and schools. University of Utah is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
3. Utah State University, Logan, Utah
Utah State University (USU) is home to Caine College of the Arts (CCA). Within the college is the Department of Art and Design, which houses the Art BFA with a Graphic Design emphasis, and the Art MFA with a specialization in Graphic Design.
Across programs, students have opportunities to complete an internship and/or co-op; annual study trips to places such as Scotland, Korea, Switzerland, or Germany; and participation in the weekly Hashimoto Communication Arts Seminar, which attracts local and regional designers.
The Graphic Design BFA at USU requires 120 credit hours of study. Course examples include Two-Dimensional Design; Advanced Branding/Packaging Design; Illustration Concepts; Book Cover Design; Typography; Graphic Interface Design I-II; Type, Image, and Visual Continuity; and Motion Design.
In the final semester of the Graphic Design BFA program at Utah State University students will complete the Senior Capstone course. Through lectures, critiques, and studio work, students will create a professional portfolio of their best work. The course culminates with the Annual Senior BFA Exhibition.
Graduates are prepared to pursue roles at places such as design studios, advertising agencies, book publishing companies, museums, packaging firms, marketing companies, film and television studios, newspaper and magazine publishers, public relations firms, web design studios, and museums.
Some program alumni go on to teach or launch their own studios, while others go on to pursue a graduate degree, such as the USU Art MFA.
The three-year, 60 credit hour Art MFA with a Graphic Design specialization consists of advanced coursework in print and publication design, symbols, illustration, trademarks, typography, interactive media, motion graphics, digital imaging, and layout. Other program benefits include designated studio space; opportunities to develop skills in other areas such as Human-Computer Interface (HCI) Design; and the Design Thinking partnership with USU’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.
The Art MFA program at Utah State University culminates with the Thesis Exhibition and Professional Portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as corporate branding, advertising, user experience (UX) design, publishing, film and television, museums, packaging, HCI design, public relations, user interface (UI) design, and web design.
Founded March 8, 1888 as the Agricultural College of Utah, Utah State University is the state’s only land- grant institution. The school has eight statewide campuses that serve approximately 28,065 students enrolled in more than 400 programs across eight colleges. Utah State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
4. Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
Southern Utah University (SUU) is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The school is home to the College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA), which houses the Department of Filmmaking, Art, and Design. Within the department is a Graphic Design program with BFA and minor options.
Consisting of 19.5 credit hours, the Graphic Design minor provides a solid foundation in graphic design and the opportunity to gain extensive experience using industry-standard software. Open to all majors across SUU, the minor consists of courses such as Graphic Design I; 2D Design; History of Graphic Design; Typography I; Digital Tools, and User Experience Design I. Upon completion of the minor, students are prepared to pursue entry-level design roles across industries.
The 120 credit hour Graphic Design BFA at SUU is a professional degree that features a project-based curriculum with an emphasis on design issues, solutions, and experimentation. Through coursework and projects, students will explore areas such as branding, user experience and user interface design (UX/UI), print publications, web design, packaging and interactivity.
Course examples for the program include Drawing I-II; Digital Tools; 2D Design; Typography I-II; Photography Principles: Black and White/Darkroom; User Experience Design I-II; Art Insights; 3D Design; Art History Survey I-II; History of Graphic Design; and Contemporary Art. Students may enhance the degree through electives. Examples include Silkscreen/Relief; Beginning Ceramics; Media and Society; Intaglio/Lithography; and Web Development.
Graphic Design BFA students have the opportunity to take nine credits of portfolio development courses. Examples include Publication Design; Branding; 3D Digital illustration; Motion Graphics; Senior Seminar-Specific Area of Study; Letterpress; Interaction Design; Special Topics in Design; and the Internship.
The program culminates with two courses: Senior BFA Studio I: Professional Practices and Portfolio Systems and Senior BFA Studio II: BFA Exhibition and Portfolio Completion. The Exhibition consists of a public portfolio review or presentation.
Graduates of the Graphic Design BFA program at Southern Utah University are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as corporate branding, advertising, magazine and newspaper publishing, exhibit design, marketing, UI/UX design, packaging, film and television, book publishing, and web design. Some programs go on to pursue graduate study or launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
Southern Utah University was founded in 1897 as the Branch Normal School. This was the first teacher training school in Southern Utah. Today, SUU serves approximately 15,000 students enrolled in more than 180 programs across seven colleges and schools. Southern Utah University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
5. Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah
Utah Valley University (UVU) is home to the School of the Arts, which provides 30 degree programs, eight certificates, and three minors across four departments. These include Art and Design; Music; Theatre; and Dance.
The Department of Art and Design houses degrees in applied arts, fine arts, art history, and art education. For students interested in design, the department has AAS and BFA degrees in Art and Design with a Graphic Design emphasis. All students benefit from access to state-of-the art studios, labs, and production facilities; internships with local and regional businesses; and job-placement opportunities.
The AAS: Graphic Design program requires 63 credit hours of study including 16 credit hours in general education; 15 credits in discipline cores; and 32 credits in the emphasis. Course examples include Prehistoric Through Contemporary Art History; Graphic Design I; 2D and 3D Design; Typography I; 3D Computer Modeling; Web Essentials; Motion Graphics I; Computer Graphic Applications; and Branding I.
The BFA: Graphic Design program at Utah Valley University explores both print and interactive design. Students will complete 120 credit hours, including several portfolio review courses as they advance through the program. Course examples include Typography I-II; 2D and 3D Design; UI/UX Design I; Branding I-II; Observational Drawing; Modern Art and Architecture; Graphic Design; 3D Computer Modeling; Production Design; 3D Computer Modeling; and History of Design and Visual Arts.
The culminating experience for the BFA program is the Capstone. This course series totals 11 credit hours. Courses include Design Studio; Art and Design Internship; Motion Graphics Studio; and UI/UX Studio.
Graduates of the Art and Design/Graphic Design programs at Utah Valley University are prepared to pursue roles at advertising agencies, design studios, printing firms, publishing companies, and design departments across industries. Some program alumni go on to launch their own design studios or freelance businesses, while others go on to pursue graduate studies at top universities.
Utah Valley University (UVU) was established in 1941 as Central Utah Vocational School (CUVS).The school serves approximately 47,400 students, making it the largest public university in the state. UVU provides more than 200 degree and certificate programs across eight colleges and schools. Utah Valley University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).