Graphic design has become very popular in recent years, and prospective students have a broad range of top design schools to choose from when looking for a suitable design degree or course. The length of the course, facilities, and student to faculty ratio are just a few of the criteria students must consider when looking for the perfect design university. Below are some of the top design schools in the US, UK, and Australia.
BFA, Graphic Design
Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island, US (Link)
Consistently ranked in the United States top design schools, RISD is a private university and one of the oldest design schools in the country. RISD offers a full time four year undergraduate program, as well as an MFA program and other graphic design degrees and design courses. Student body and faculty are both large. The facilities include a computer lab, silkscreen studio, and traditional typesetting and printing facilities, and for this reason and many others is one of the best design schools in the world.
Graphic Design BFA
Virginia Commonwealth Uni, Richmond, US (Link)
VCU is a public university with high ranking graphic design courses that offers a four year undergraduate course. The school focuses on print design, sequential design, and interaction design. Facilities include a letterpress facility, digital lab, and in-house publishing bureau.
Communication Design Program
Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, US (Link)
High ranking Carnegie Mellon offers a range of design degrees and courses leading to undergraduate, master’s, and PhD certificates. A small class size of little more than 200 and relatively large full time and visiting faculty assures a personal design course experience. Facilities include personal studios for each student available 24 hours a day, as well as computer, digital imaging, and bookbinding labs.
BA Graphic Design
Norwich University College of the Arts, Norwich, UK (Link)
The graphic design degree at Norwich University is a three year program focused on small group studio work. The graduates from this program have a high junior design job placement rate and many win industry awards. A number of guest lecturers and experienced faculty give students a broad education in graphic design, making this a superb design course to study. Facilities include digital workshops, photography studios, and printmaking facilities.
BA (Honours) Graphic Design
University of Arts London, London, UK (Link)
The popular graphic design program at Central St. Martin’s is a full time three year design course. This top design school is focused on innovation and experimentation. Each design course has its own studio space for group and personal work. Facilities include a large collection of fine art, fashion, design, and architecture. Access to eight libraries, computer labs, and workshops is available to students.
Graphic Design BA (Honours)
University College Falmouth, Cornwall, UK (Link)
Several full time lecturers and visiting speakers bring a wide knowledge base to the students in the graphic design course at Falmouth. The program is based on a three year studio model. Second year work placement allows students to gain experience and industry contacts and graduates have a high success rate in junior design job placement. Facilities include a large IT lab, printmaking facilities, and library system.
Bachelor of Communication Design
RMIT, Melbourne, Australia (Link)
The communication design course at RMIT is a three year full time course with the option of a fourth honours year. Students gain experience by working on real design projects in classes, which makes this one of the top design schools in not just Australia, but the world, especially as Melbourne has a very high ranking in the arts and design culture. Focus is based on preparing students for junior design job employment after graduation and many students have successful design careers. The design degree also offers students many international internships and study abroad programs.
Bachelor of Applied Communication Design
Billy Blue College of Design, Sydney, Australia (Link)
Billy Blue offers both a traditional three year design school and an accelerated two year program. Optional internship and mentoring programs prepare students for junior design jobs after the design degree has been acquired. After graduation employment rates are high and many have been successful in freelancing after the course. The facilities include a high end learning resource center, lounge, and dining areas.
Diploma of Graphic Design
TAFE SA, Modbury, Australia (Link)
The Diploma of Graphic Design at TAFE is a flexible top design course program that can be done over a full time 18 month period or a part time equivalent. Schedules are very flexible and both daytime and evening options are available, making this the perfect option for those who want a diploma, but struggle to fit a full time design course into their busy routines. Facilities at TAFE include library, cafeteria, graphic design, and multimedia studios. The program is focused on preparing students for junior design job positions after graduation.