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What are the top South Carolina graphic design schools for 2024?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of South Carolina Columbia | Columbia |
| 2 | Clemson University | Clemson |
Our 2024 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in South Carolina. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. University of South Carolina Columbia, Columbia, South Carolina
The School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) at University of South Carolina Columbia (UofSC or USC Columbia) is the largest school of art in the state. Part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the school is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Within the SVAD are two paths to study graphic design: the BA or BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design and Illustration (GD+I).
Classes for the programs are held in McMaster College, the design school’s 85,000-square-foot facility designed specifically for the study and creation of the visual arts.
Other program features include industry internships; the opportunity to work in the school’s McCausland Innovation Grant-funded design studio; two-week and semester-long study abroad experiences in places such as China, Spain, Italy, France and England; and participation in the South Carolina Chapter of the AIGA, which hosts workshops, guest speakers, and special design events.
The GD+I concentration explores branding, traditional illustration, interactive design, packaging, digital illustration, editorial design, multimedia, product design, packaging, design using augmented reality AI, drawing, publication design, typography, motion graphics, UX and UI design, design systems, and logo design.
The Studio Art BA is ideal for students who would like to study GD+I and other areas of art such as 3D studies, drawing or printmaking, or declare a double major. The BFA is a pre-professional degree that allows students to focus in additional areas outside of GD+I such as printmaking, drawing, painting, or photography. Specific course examples across options include 3-Dimensional Design; Typographic Design; Illustration; Visual and Verbal Interaction; Process and Systems; Advanced Illustration; Interaction Design; and Topics in Modern Art.
The Studio Art: GD+I programs at University of South Carolina Columbia culminate with a capstone experience. Students will graduate with a professional portfolio of their best work. BFA students will have a solo exhibition of their creative research to be judged by major faculty.
Graduates are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Program alumni can be found at places such as Nike, Google, IBM, Humana, Reebok, Lyft, Bumble, Aeropostale, Paper Source, and The South Carolina Lottery. Graduates also work with sports teams and organizations such as the Florida Marlins, Charlotte Hornets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Auburn University Athletics, and University of South Carolina Football.
University of South Carolina was founded in 1801 as South Carolina College. With eight campuses, the school serves 53,455 students enrolled in more than 350 degree programs across 16 academic colleges and schools. The flagship campus in Columbia (USC Columbia) serves approximately 31,530 students. University of South Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
2. Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
Clemson University (Clemson) has three paths to study graphic design across several colleges and departments. Options include BS and MS degrees in Graphic Communications (GC); the Art BA; and the Visual Arts BFA. The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business houses the Department of Graphic Communications, and the BS and MS programs. The College of Architecture, Art and Construction houses the Department of Arts and the Art and Visual Art programs.
Serving 400 students, the GC BS program provides the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience (on campus) through the Erwin Center for Brand Communications. This practitioner-based program functions like a teaching hospital, allowing students to learn through real-world, real-time experiences in areas such as advertising, media, creative development, strategy, marketing, analytics, and research.
The Graphic Communications curriculum explores all major visual communication and printing processes. This 120 credit hour program consists of courses such as Graphic Communications I-II; Introduction to Packaging Science; Ink and Substrates; Digital Imaging; Commercial Printing; Principles of Marketing; Package and Specialty Printing; Principles of Management; Current Developments and Trends in Graphic Communications; Planning and Controlling Printing Functions; and Senior Seminar in Graphic Communications.
All GC BS students must complete a specialty area consisting of 12 credits through a minor or coursework in areas such as communication studies, brand design, visual art, digital production, creative direction, packaging design, marketing, UX design, business analytics, and management information systems. Popular minors include Brand Communications, Packaging Science, and Business Administration.
Other Graphic Communications program benefits include access to the Sonoco Institute, which hosts seminars, classes, and workshops; collaborative projects with students in the Packaging Science Department; the Erwin Center for Brand Communications; access to a 14,000-square-foot main laboratory and two additional state-of-the-art labs equipped with packaging and printing equipment; and participation in Clemson study abroad programs such as Graphic Design for Packaging in a Global Marketplace in London, and European Perspectives on Marketing in Paris.
In addition, all students are required to complete a mandatory summer Co-op Education requirement and hold an industry internship for at least two semesters before graduating. The GC Department also hosts an Intern Employer Day each semester. This gives students the chance to interview with representatives from more than 40 companies.
Graduates of the Graphics Communications BS program at Clemson University have gone on to pursue design roles in graphic design, publishing, marketing, production, packaging design, printing, web design, and process engineering. They are employed in 29 states and three foreign countries. Companies that have hired GC BS alumni include R.R. Donnelley, Newell Brands, Boston Beer Company, The Hughes Agency, and Horizon Investments.
Some Graphic Communications BS graduates have also gone on to pursue graduate study at places such as Wake Forest University and Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD).
The Graphic Communications MS program at Clemson University provides access to all GC Department resources and benefits. Students in this advanced studies program have two options: Thesis and Non-Thesis. The Thesis option requires 33 credit hours and the Non-Thesis option requires 30 credit hours.
Across options, core courses include Current Developments and Trends in Graphic Communications; Commercial Printing; Package and Specialty Printing; Research Problems I-II; and Graphic Communications Graduate Seminar. For students without relevant work experience, an industrial internship is a required for both options.
The Thesis option culminates with the Master’s Thesis Research course. The Non-Thesis option culminates with a final research project. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced creative, technical, and professional careers in graphic communications. Program alumni have been placed in fields such as advertising, packaging, marketing, printing, science, publishing, sales, healthcare, marketing, education, research, and management.
The Art BA at Clemson University is accredited by National Association for Schools of Art & Design (NASAD). The program has a Digital Art and Design Media emphasis that focuses on graphic design, animation, and new media. The Visual Arts BFA has seven emphasis areas including Graphic Design, Printmaking, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, Painting, and Ceramics.
Across programs, students have full access to the department’s computer labs, painting and printmaking studios, photo labs, drawing studios, sculpture labs, and clay studios. Other program benefits include the visiting artist series; and annual field trip to art centers such as New York City; a four-week summer school in Orvieto, Italy; and the opportunity to exhibit works in Clemson’s Lee Art Gallery in the senior year of the programs. In addition, Clemson Art students regularly display their work locally in the Pendleton and Greenville arts districts, and in regional and national venues.
The Art BA program culminates with a final project. The Visual Arts BFA culminates with the Senior Exhibition Internship. Across programs, graduates are prepared to pursue careers in graphic design, illustration, media, advertising, marketing, animation, publishing, exhibit design, public relations, retail, art journalism, education, and with art museums and galleries.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Anthropologie, Greenville County Schools, Museum of Cherokee, GDC Home, and Kaleidoscope Design Factory. Some alumni have also gone on to pursue graduate study at places such as Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Northwestern University, Christie’s Education, Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), and the University of Georgia.
Clemson University was founded in 1889. The school opened in 1893 as Clemson Agricultural College (CAC). On the first day of classes, CAC welcomed 446 students. Today, Clemson University serves approximately 28,750 students enrolled in more than 170 majors and minors, and 130+ graduate degree programs. Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).