| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville |
| 2 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock |
| 3 | John Brown University | Siloam Springs |
| 4 | Arkansas State University | Jonesboro |
Our 2024 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Arkansas. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at University of Arkansas (U of A) houses the School of Art, which provides programs in Art Education, Studio Art, Graphic or Communication Design, and Art History. Launched in 2016, the Graphic Design program explores human-centered design, branding, motion design, typography, interaction design, design research, print design, and web design. Students will also master industry-standard software and techniques through individual and group projects.
Other program features include designated workspace in the brand new Studio + Design Center in the Windgate Arts and Design District; access to state-of-the-art equipment in the Design Lab; courses and projects that take place in a collaborative studio environment; and access to the UARK Design Clinic, which is a multipurpose space that serves as a classroom, design studio, laboratory, and community center.
Graphic Design students may also participate in the UARK Internship Program and the UARK Chapter of the AIGA Student Group. This registered student organization (RSO) hosts visiting speakers, creative projects, and collaborations with the local Northwest Arkansas AIGA Chapter.
Leading to a BFA, the Graphic Design program at University of Arkansas consists of courses such as Technology in Context; Identity Systems 1-2; Human Centered Design; Studio Foundation I-II; User Experience; Art History Survey; Typographic Systems 1-3; Interactive Language; Design Tools and Concepts; and Professional Development Seminar.
The U of A Graphic Design BFA culminates with a degree project and presentation. Graduates have completed internships with or currently work for companies and organizations such as Saatchi & Saatchi X, Walmart Corporate, J.B. Hunt, Amazon Corporate, Rockfish, Sam’s Club Corporate, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Olivet, Acumen Brands, Collective Bias, Menguin, BLKBox Labs, DOXA, Hayseed Ventures, Field Agent, Elkins Design, RevUnit, and Archetype.
For students seeking a graduate degree, the University of Arkansas School of Art houses an MDes in Communication Design that can be completed in two years. Launched in 2022, the program is the first of its kind in the state of Arkansas. Students in this 60 credit hour program will take courses and electives such as Design and Technology; Applied Visual Research; Cloud Computing and Big Data; Design and Futures; Artificial Intelligence; Design and Communities; Design Pedagogy and Leadership; and Social Entrepreneurship.
Students in the MDes program will also take special topics courses, allowing students to engage in discussions about issues in the field, teaching, and content. Special topics courses also support current semester studio projects. Topic examples may include Design and Sustainability; Machine Learning; Design and Entrepreneurism; Critical Design Issues; and International Design Collaboration.
The Graphic Design MDes at University of Arkansas culminates with a final thesis project. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of graphic and communication design; academic positions at design schools, colleges, and universities; and research jobs across industries.
Established in 1871 and serving 32,140 students, University of Arkansas is the state’s first public university and the largest. This land-grant institution welcomes students from 49 states and more than 100 countries. U of A students have access to 270 majors, degrees, and certificates across 10 colleges and schools. University of Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) is home to the School of Art and Design. Within the school are several paths to study graphic design. Degree seeking students can earn an Art BA or BFA in Studio Art. For students seeking a shorter path, the school has a 30 credit hour Graphic Design Technical Certificate.
Across programs, students have access to the Windgate Center of Art + Design (WCAD), which houses several galleries; collaborative classrooms; more than 15 studios; and state-of-the-art labs with a student work area within a 65,500 square foot facility. The WCAD is also LEED certified, with digital fabrication, woodworking, metal fabrication, and ceramics studios. Other program benefits include workshops, research opportunities, and mentorship.
The Graphic Design Technical Certificate explores typography; digital media; print and package design; drawing; motion graphics; computer applications in art; and photography. Students may select six credit hours from electives, allowing them to develop additional skills. Elective examples include Vector Graphics for Illustrators and Designers; Web Design; and Digital Imaging for Illustrators and Designers.
Upon completion of the Graphic Design Technical Certificate program, students will have a portfolio of their best work. Graduates are prepared to seek employment in fields such as user experience/user interface design (UX/UI), exhibition design, web design, product design, typeface design, and art direction.
The Art BA at UA Little Rock is a liberal arts degree that allows students to explore multiple areas of art and design. With a Studio Art concentration, the program highlights courses such as Introduction to Graphic Design; Computer Applications in Art; Introduction to Illustration; Printmaking Basics; Art Theory and Criticism; Two-Dimensional Design; World Art Survey I-III; Drawing: and Creative Invention. All BA students will select a minor. Examples include Digital Art; Studio Art; and Art History.
The Studio Art BFA at UA Little Rock has 10 emphasis areas. Examples include Graphic Design, Illustration, Printmaking, Drawing, and Photography. All areas require 12 credit hours selected from a list of sequence courses. Graphic Design courses include Typography; Print Design; Web Design; Package Design; and Advanced Problems in Design.
The Illustration emphasis also includes the Advanced Problems in Design course as well as graphic-design related courses such as Vector Graphics for Illustrators and Designers; Motion Graphics; Sequential Media; Visual Storytelling; and Digital Imaging for Illustrators and Designers.
All degree-seeking students will complete an internship with a professional artist, business, agency, or other organization OR the Professional Practice course. This course includes topics such as building a brand, marketing plans, business structures, legal concerns of the artist-entrepreneur, and managing visual assets. BFA students will also complete a final project (thesis) to include a portfolio of work, an artist’s statement, and thesis exhibition.
Students in the School of Art and Design also have opportunities to display their works in campus galleries such as the Brad Cushman Gallery and the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery.
Graduates of the Art: Graphic Design programs at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Examples include film and television, advertising, publishing, marketing, public relations, packaging, corporate branding, retail, media and communications, design consulting, research, and education. Potential employers include Google, Nike, CBS, Amazon, Under Armour, Aldi, Capital One, Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, Dell, General Motors, and Conagra.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock was founded in 1927 as Little Rock Junior College. The school became Little Rock University in 1957, and University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1969. This public research institution serves approximately 8,100 students enrolled 155 programs of study across seven colleges and departments. University of Arkansas at Little Rock is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
The Visual Arts Department at John Brown University (JBU) provides majors in Graphic Design (GD); Art and illustration; Photography; and Film (Digital Cinema). Students in all programs will work and learn in a hands-on studio environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities, galleries, and theaters across three art buildings.
Among the departments creative spaces is the Studio Project Barn, which houses individual artist stations; printmaking workshops; drawing and painting classrooms; a woodshop; and a state-of-the-art photo studio.
Leading to a BS, the Graphic Design program at John Brown University requires 120 credit hours of study with 42 in the GD core and 10 in the Visual Arts Department core. Course examples include Art as Vocation; 3D Modeling for Designers and Illustrators; Computer Graphics; Collaborative Design; Visual Arts Foundation; Advanced Graphic Design; Digital Illustration; Moption Graphics; Advanced Typography; Intermediate UI/UX Design; Advanced 3D Modeling; and Letterpress Printing.
All students Graphic Design students must complete a supervised field experience (Visual Arts Internship) with a design studio, design department, or other related business. Students will also complete the Portfolio and Presentation course which explores the business aspects of graphic design. Students in this course will also develop a freelance business, practice interviewing for jobs, develop a professional portfolio, and learn about self-promotion.
The Graphic Design BS program at John Brown University culminates with the JBU Portfolio Show, which attracts hundreds of recruiters and spectators from across the region. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as advertising, traditional book publishing, animation and film, marketing, comic book publishing, web design, game art and design, multimedia art, brand design, newspaper and magazine publishing, social media, public relations, and art education.
Potential job titles include Graphic Designer, Art Director, Production Artist, Brand Identity Designer, Creative Director, Web Designer, Print Publications Designer, Product Developer, and Educator.
Founded in 1919 by the evangelist John Brown Sr., John Brown University serves approximately 2,255 students from 37 states and 48 countries. With campuses in Siloam Springs (main) and Little Rock, Arkansas, JBU provides nearly 150 majors, minors, and degree programs across nine departments. John Brown University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also an Institution of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).
The College of Liberal Arts and Communication at Arkansas State University (Arkansas State or A-State) houses the Department of Art and Design, which provides programs leading to a BA, BFA, BS, certificate, or minor. Students in all programs benefit from a number of opportunities within the department. This includes internships, exhibitions, visiting artist lectures, and 2-4 week faculty-led study abroad programs and annual study abroad programs.
Students have opportunities to participate in design study abroad experiences in London, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Scotland, Costa Rica, and Mexico or other experiences at partner universities in places such as Austria, Bolivia, Poland, Brazil, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Finland, France, and South Korea.
For students seeking careers in graphic design, the A-State Department of Art has a Graphic Design BFA and a minor; an online Creative Media Production BS with a Graphic Communication emphasis; an online and on-campus Digital Technology and Design BS with a Graphic Communication emphasis; and an online Graphic Communication certificate.
Across programs, students will gain a range of in-demand skills such as graphic design, digital 3D content, game design, print production, desktop publishing, mobile app development, digital prepress, audio and video production, front-end development, and web design.
Course examples across programs include Design Technology; Introduction to Graphic Design; Digital Publishing I-III; Advanced Photography for the Graphic Designer; Identity Systems; Graphic Publication Production; History of Graphic Design; Electronic Innovations in Graphic Communications; Broadcast Graphics; Independent Study in Graphic Design; and Technical Graphics and AutoCAD.
In addition to collaborative projects, workshops, and seminars, some Department of Art and Design courses require field trips to art museums and centers such as the Memphis Brooks Museum and The Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock.
The Graphic Design programs at Arkansas State University culminate with a final project, portfolio, and presentation. Graduates are prepared to enter a graduate program or pursue design roles across industries. Examples include Senior Graphic Designer, Interactive Designer, Creative Director, Advertising Graphic Designer, UX/UI Designer, Brand Manager, Packaging Designer, Web Developer, Art Director, and App Designer.
Arkansas State University was founded in 1909. The school serves approximately 14,900 students enrolled in more than 150 areas of study across eight colleges. Arkansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
