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Top Design Schools 2026
The programs educating the next generation of American graphic designers — honored by GDUSA and connected here to their students' award-winning work.
Academy of Art University
The School of Graphic Design at the Academy of Art University is founded on one core belief: strong designers are developed through hands-on practice, critical thinking, and a profound understanding of design fundamentals. Our program emphasizes typography, visual systems, layout, branding, UI/UX, and digital design. Our curriculum is structured to reflect how design works in the real world. Students learn how to think conceptually, communicate visually, and execute work with clarity and intention. Courses are taught by working professionals who understand both the craft and the industry’s expectations, guiding students in building thoughtful, professional portfolios. As part of the School of Brand Communications, graphic design students collaborate with peers across advertising, interaction design, UI/UX, and communications. These interdisciplinary experiences mirror professional studio environments and often include real-world projects with industry partners such as CBS, NBC, Adobe, and Apple. Students are introduced to emerging tools, including AI, as part of a broader design process. AI is positioned to support ideation and exploration, introduced after students have developed a strong foundation in design thinking and execution. Whether students are pursuing a degree or taking individual courses, the program is designed to prepare them for professional practice, with a clear focus on craft, strategy, and portfolio development. academyart.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Arizona State University
At the nation’s largest and most comprehensive design school, the Bachelor of Science in Design (BSD) in Graphic Design at The Design School at Arizona State University (ASU) empowers students to shape meaningful communication across media, culture and community. Housed in The Design School within the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, this studio-based program blends foundation craft with forward-looking digital practice. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) with full-term accreditation, our program’s curriculum spans traditional and contemporary approaches to prepare students for a field that is constantly evolving. Students begin by mastering core design principles — typography, layout, color and hand-making processes such as bookbinding and presentation craft. Advanced coursework expands into digital and motion design, branding, web and interface design, publication and interactive media. Throughout the program, students learn a strategic, research-driven design process and explore design solutions for local and global communities. Students engage in coursework that hands‐on, collaborative and set in real-world environments within their studios. Graduates emerge with a professional-level portfolio showcasing diverse design skills and are prepared to succeed in the design industry. Why study graphic design at The Design School? This is a highly regarded program within a top-ranked design school with a broad, interdisciplinary perspective Curriculum that blends foundational craft, concept development and cutting-edge digital tools Real-world learning that strengthens visual literacy, storytelling and critical thinking Flexible learning options: study on ASU’s Tempe campus or online Creative, curious and motivated students who thrive in collaborative, idea-driven environments will find the BSD in Graphic Design at The Design School to be an inspiring place to grow. The program supports personal exploration while offering the structure and mentorship needed to develop industry-ready skills. Graduates leave prepared to launch meaningful and impactful design careers. design.asu.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
ArtCenter College of Design
ArtCenter College of Design educates designers to excel in craft and develop their unique vision. We believe design is critical to business, community, and society. We research, strategize, develop concepts, prototype, and execute to create sublime solutions that move the viewer. In our Undergraduate Graphic Design Program, we foster the highest standards of creativity and critical thinking, visual and cultural literacy, craftsmanship, professionalism and collaboration, leadership and ethical purpose, and a readiness to be lifelong learners. We offer five areas of emphasis that can be combined together, allowing students to develop unique skillsets: Motion, Visual Interaction Design, Print, Package Design, and Transmedia (design systems explored through traditional and emerging media). Our Graduate Graphic Design Program is committed to powerful, unexpected ideas supported by practical, reality-based solutions across all media. We rigorously educate designers to both create and lead, empowering them to make influential design while continually expanding the boundaries of the discipline. Ultimately, we cultivate creative leaders equipped to shape the next generation of the global design profession. Our MDes in Brand Design and Strategy online program focuses on brand strategy and innovation, in which students explore the broader constructs of successful brand strategy, building, and management. This program fosters the designer’s ability to be a chief decision-maker, with the skills and tools to lead teams and create change. In 2025, ArtCenter was ranked the #1 Graphic Design school in the U.S. by The One Club, a recognition of the strength, ability, and extraordinary talent of our students. artcenter.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Auburn University
Housed within the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC), the Graphic Design (GDES) Program at Auburn University prepares students to practice visual communication in a competitive global environment. Auburn’s nationally regarded B.F.A. in Graphic Design is NASAD-accredited, and the curriculum emphasizes a systemic approach to design that enables students to become versatile designers, art directors and economically viable professionals. GDES students receive hands-on instruction in a professional studio environment that fosters a strong sense of community among students and faculty. Students establish a foundation in drawing, 2D/3D design, and typography in lower-level coursework. Foundational skills are then applied and extended in upper-level coursework experiences that include interactive design, user experience design (UI/UX), motion graphics, brand identity systems, speculative design, publication design, packaging, illustration, and image-making. The GDES program introduces students to the professional design community by hosting exhibitions, symposia, and guest lectures by industry leaders. An internship program provides students with real-world experience and networking opportunities. Graduates emerge with a well-developed portfolio that demonstrates the comprehensive scope of their design education. cadc.auburn.edu/design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Ball State University
Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a research-intensive, residential institution in Muncie, Indiana, serving roughly 22,000 students. The School of Art offers state-of-the-art facilities supported by faculty and staff who are accomplished artists, designers, scholars, and creators with active national and international profiles. Enrolling more than 700 students, the NASAD-accredited programs in the School of Art include BA, BS, and BFA degrees in a wide range of areas, including Graphic Design, Graphic Design Studies, Graphic Communications Management, Animation (Animation Production, Game Art/Design, Illustration, VFX Animation), Studio Art (Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Metals + Jewelry, Video and New Media), Art History, and Art Education. The BFA in Graphic Design delivers a rigorous interdisciplinary education that promotes cultural awareness and prepares students for real-world professional expectations. Students develop strong problem-solving abilities, technical proficiency, and digital competence across a variety of media. The program’s top-tier facilities feature industry-standard computers, software, and equipment, enabling students to excel in both traditional and emerging forms of design. Graphic Design at Ball State encompasses branding, publication design, UX/UI design, website design, motion graphics, typography, and packaging. Collaboration and community engagement is central to the School of Art experience. Students work closely with faculty, alumni, and peers to build a solid foundation in design concepts, visual communication, and professional practice. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Studio 165+, an award-winning, student-run design studio, where they gain hands-on experience producing work for local, regional, national, and international clients. bsu.edu/art Dr. Lara Kuykendall, Director of the School of Art, Associate Professor of Art History email: lkuykendall@bsu.edu Shantanu Suman, Associate Professor of Graphic Design email: ssuman@bsu.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. The Department of Art and Art History at Baylor offers an emphasis in graphic design within the studio art major. The studio art major provides students the opportunity to develop their hand and aesthetic skills and conceptual development. In addition to foundation courses, students take graphic design courses in Conceptual Development, Typography, Identity Design and Branding, Advanced Typography, UX/UI design, and Portfolio. An elective internship course is also available for those students wishing to take advantage of professional practice in the field. Graduates have gone on to work in design studios and major advertising agencies, and some have also started design studios and advertising agencies of their own. art.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/areas-study/graphic-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Belmont University
Located near the heart of thriving Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University (belmont.edu) has approximately 9,000 students from every state and over 30 countries, with an average class size of 19 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. The University is nationally recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report). As a Christ-centered, student-focused community, Belmont’s mission is to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character, and wisdom who possess a transformational mindset and are eager and equipped to make the world a better place. Watkins College of Art at Belmont University offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees and post-graduate programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. These programs include Art Studies, Art Education, Art History, Design Communications (Graphic Design), Experiential Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Photographic Studies, and Studio Art. The Design Communications (B.F.A.) program features a portfolio-based graphic design curriculum that equips students with a broad spectrum of skills, focusing on information, communication, and a deep understanding of user-centric design. Graduates of Belmont’s Design program become positive contributors to the local, national, and international media landscape, competing effectively in any market. Watkins College of Art’s mission is to educate purpose-driven artists and designers with a global perspective and an entrepreneurial mindset, thereby making them valuable contributors to their communities. The college also offers opportunities for studying abroad, internships, and community education programs. For those interested in the Design Communications program or seeking more information about Watkins College of Art, please get in touch with Elise Haines, Admissions Coordinator, at 615.460.6772 or via email at elise.haines@belmont.edu. belmont.edu/watkins Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Boston University
The Graphic Design program at Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Visual Arts takes a studio-driven approach to de sign thinking and visual communication. With an emphasis on process and critical design thinking, the program sets itself apart as a maker-based design department within an art school and a R1 University. The design faculty are leaders in the field who work closely with students to develop their technical and conceptual skills, challenging them to think creatively and strategically, and placing them at the forefront of entrepreneurial thinking in the business world. bu.edu/cfa/academics/degrees-programs/graphic-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Bowling Green State University
For nearly 115 years, Bowling Green State University has been a public university for the public good, always moving forward. BGSU is a high-research, nationally ranked, comprehensive university, always proud to be public. The BGSU Graphic Design program educates and mentors its students to become independent and collaborative innovators and leaders in the field of graphic design. Our award-winning program is dynamic, enterprising, and responsive, and leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design. Our multi-faceted curricula merges design ideologies and research with appropriate aesthetic and communication methods through intensive critical analysis, exploration and experimentation. Students are taught and trained to be mindful professionals and socio-politically aware stewards for the profession and the world. Our practical and theoretical approach to foster and guide clarity of communication is the foundation for a progressive and fluid curriculum— one that graduates thinkers with curious minds. For more information, contact Jenn Stucker (jstuck@bgsu.edu), Professor and Chair, Graphic Design. bgsu.edu/graphicdesign Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University (BYU) is a large private religious university in Provo, Utah, serving 34,000+ students from over 100 countries and all 50 states. The BYU Graphic Design program has a history of producing award-winning work and enjoys an established international reputation. The major simulates a professional studio experience with students working to solve complex visual problems. As members of a small cohort group, students complete a variety of individual and collaborative projects under close faculty direction. BYU’s Graphic Design BFA program aspires to prepare students with the skills, knowledge, and intellect necessary to be excellent visual communicators and to foster innovation through problem solving, collaboration, and design thinking. The program aims to cultivate designers that encourage human flourishing, foster charitable interactions, and promote societal and ecological well-being today and in the future. BYU emphasizes experiential learning on and off-campus, both in its extensive study abroad programs and our program’s national internship placements. designdept.byu.edu/graphicdesign Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
CalArts
The CalArts Graphic Design Program fosters the next generation of graphic designers through rigorous inquiry, fearless exploration, and innovative making. Students develop formal and critical thinking skills to establish their own unique approaches and individual perspectives with the support of faculty and the studio community. The Graphic Design curriculum integrates the Institute’s critical approach, placing practice within the context of history, theory, interdisciplinarity, and broader cultures. Classes are small, inti mate, and critique driven. Studio and lecture courses include print, web, UI/UX, motion, typography, branding, history, and theory. Graduates prepare for design careers and opportunities in professional, independent, and entrepreneurial pursuits. Students work in year-level studios where individual and collaborative learning is encouraged. This dynamic environment includes art and media labs, galleries, the library, performance spaces, the café and outdoor patios, and proximity to the five other schools. calarts.edu/academics/programs-and-degrees/bfa-graphic-design California College of the Arts (CCA) Carnegie Mellon University Next > (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); MORE Like This Business Ideas Insights Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do In this piece, ‘AI vs. Agency,’ a branding thought leader explores what AI can — and cannot — do for ... Business Ideas Surveys We Want To Hear From You! Thank you for your time in responding to GDUSA's 2025 Graphic Design Print Survey. These questions help us and our ... Education News Resources GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 Our April 2026 Digital Magazine features our 26th annual Digital Design Awards and the list of 2026 Top Design Schools ... FEATURE Highlight
California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts (CCA), founded in 1907, is an art and design college in the San Francisco Bay Area known for preparing students to influence culture through creative work. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the college emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration, and social and environmental responsibility. Its location offers students access to a dynamic community of artists, designers, and industry professionals. CCA’s BFA in Communication Design empowers students to shape cultural conversations through thoughtful visual language. Building on CCA’s hands-on, socially minded ethos, the program teaches how design can inform experience and spark change. Through a carefully woven curriculum of typography, image-making, interaction, and systems thinking, students develop both conceptual insight and aesthetic skill. They experiment across analog and digital platforms, from letterpress and risograph to motion design, AR/VR, and data visualization, moving through foundational studios into advanced coursework. The journey culminates in a self-directed senior thesis, resulting in a distinctive portfolio grounded in purpose, creativity, and innovation. www.cca.edu/design/communication-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Carnegie Mellon University
www.design.cmu.edu/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago’s School of Design offers two programs in graphic design, a BFA and BA. Both degrees give students the tools and experience needed to launch a career in graphic design within a broader program of foundational studies in art and design. Students also gain a strong business foundation, which will prepare them to join a design firm, an agency, an in-house corporate design team, or launch their own freelance business. The BFA is a rigorous, professionally focused degree in graphic design. The BFA requires students to learn multiple disciplines and has fewer opportunities to choose electives. The BA provides a foundation in design but allows students to double major or choose a minor. All graphic design students develop a professional portfolio of work senior year as part of the requirements of the degree programs. www.colum.edu/academics/design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
DePaul University
DePaul University’s BFA in Graphic Design prepares students to communicate to diverse audiences through a wide range of design practices, integrating emerging media and contemporary technologies, including typography, interaction design, branding, illustration, motion graphics, package design, programming, artificial intelligence, and digital fabrication. Located in the heart of Chicago, our program offers a vibrant design community and creates opportunities for collaboration, networking, and internships. Housed in the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, students have access to cutting-edge equipment and lab spaces, including a print lab, two well-equipped makerspaces with facilities for fabricating wood, metal, plastics, soft goods, and electronics; recording, film, stop-motion animation, and motion-capture studios; and several VR and AR production spaces. The Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration brings together students and faculty from across the college and provides a media lounge for lectures and presentations, an XR creative studio, and private spaces and conference rooms for meetings. We also offer significant funding opportunities for students, including the Design IMPACT Grants, Jarvis Challenge, and research assistantships. Award-winning faculty oversee a host of initiatives, design labs, and research programs that foster student learning, engagement, and community. Students also lead their own initiatives, including our DePaul Design Club, maker space, Print Lab, and digital fabrication studio. Design-related study abroad programs in Japan and Scandinavia provide our students with a global context for their practice. www.cdm.depaul.edu/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Drexel University
The creative heart of Drexel University, the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design trains the next generation of scholars, thinkers, makers, and doers in the fields of media, entertainment, design, and the visual and performing arts. Westphal offers 16 undergraduate and seven graduate majors, housed in award-winning facilities that encourage collaboration across creative disciplines. The Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design educates students to inform, persuade, educate, and entertain through the creative use of word and image. The program prepares students with diverse backgrounds to enter the field of graphic design with a competitive edge as skilled design practitioners, creative problem solvers, and multi-talented team members. drexel.edu/westphal/academics/undergraduate/graphic-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Fashion Institute of Technology
The Graphic Design BFA Program of the Communication Design Pathways Department educates creative, socially responsible, and worldly professionals who are well positioned for a broad range of art and design fields. It challenges students to generate problem-solving and culture-making design, through experimentation and collaboration attuned to social, environmental as well as commercial challenges. It is an intensive, professionally oriented course of study that relies heavily on typographic crafts manship, design authorship and motion design. The program presents an annual lecture series for its design students and multiple student curated exhibitions. It facilitates Study Abroad, internships and professional interaction opportunities. Courses are taught by accomplished practicing designers and scholars. fitnyc.edu/academics/academic-divisions/art-and-design/ graphic-design/index.php Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Florida State University
cfa.fsu.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Full Sail University
Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in entertainment media and emerging technologies. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has received numerous accolades throughout its 45-year history, including being named a Graphic Design USA Top Design School. Full Sail University is a graduate and undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Technology. With over 100,000 graduates worldwide, Full Sail alumni have worked on countless award-winning projects with individual recognition including Oscar®, Emmy®, Grammy®, Addy® and The Game Award honors. Located in Winter Park, FL, Full Sail University’s 210+ acres campus is home to 110+ studios and labs, 75+ classrooms, and 880,000+ square feet of real-world media production facilities. The university’s art and design degree programs are designed to equip artists with a comprehensive toolbox, combining traditional skills with digital techniques. Art and Design degree programs at Full Sail University include: Computer Animation Bachelor’s, Digital Arts & Design Bachelor’s, Game Art Bachelor’s, Graphic Design Bachelor’s, User Experience Bachelor’s, Media Design MFA. www.fullsail.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Iowa State University
The Graphic Design Department at Iowa State is situated in the College of Design, one of the most comprehensive institutions for art and design education, which leads to a strong multidisciplinary network of design thinking for our 300+ students. The department includes an undergraduate BFA in Graphic Design, a Masters in Experiential Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. The curriculum emphasizes how to design through organization of visual and verbal information. Our concept-based approach can be applied to printed material, digital media, motion, and environmental graphics. Students learn to create designs based in a solid understanding of the history and fundamentals of graphic design. They hone their skills through elective studios in a variety of topics including UX design, 3D animation, digital media, motion graphics, exhibition design, packaging design, wayfinding, typography, publication design and branding. They enhance their education with internships or study abroad, including a semester in Italy with our Rome Program. Our mission is to educate experiential communicators who enrich our ethical, social, cultural, and environmental future. We prepare students to be adept in the ever-evolving graphic design discipline in the creation of communication artifacts and systems that inform and inspire in virtual and physical environments. design.iastate.edu/academics/departments/graphic-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Kansas City Art Institute
KCAI is a college of art and design awarding the B.F.A. degree in 13 majors. We recruit top talent from across the country and equip them with a versatile skill set and the fearlessness to pursue their craft. KCAI’s Graphic Design department takes a wide-ranging view of the possibilities for visual communication, introducing students to the principles of print, interaction, motion, environment, experience, information, and advocacy. Our approach to design problems can best be described as exploratory, systematic, and transmedia. We recognize the complexity of contemporary design and seek to foster critical and surprising responses through a rigorous process of research, thinking, form-making, and connection to various external communities. kcai.edu/academics/Majors_Minors/majors/Graphic-Design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Kean University
The Robert Busch School of Design (RBSD), Michael Graves College, Kean University, stands among America’s premier design schools through its distinctive combination of nationally recognized faculty, integrated professional experience, and commitment to equity and excellence. Students learn from thought leaders who actively shape the field, including Distinguished Professor Robin Landa (2025 New Jersey Advertising Hall of Fame and 2025 AIGA Steven Heller Prize recipient) and Associate Professor Ed Johnston, whose innovative work bridges creative technology and design, representing mentorship from contemporary practitioners. Professional immersion begins day one. Students work with real clients through the in-house design studio practicum and attend the annual Thinking Creatively Conference, which brings luminaries such as Nick Law, Stefan Sagmeister, and Debbie Millman to campus. Regular field trips to New York City agencies and studios place students at the epicenter of global innovation. The program’s four undergraduate concentrations—Advertising, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Industrial Design—foster cross-disciplinary collaboration that mirrors contemporary practice. Students develop fluency in art direction, branding, UI/UX, motion design, and social media alongside technologies like AI, AR, and VR, cultivating the creative thinking that distinguishes outstanding portfolios. RBSD makes excellence accessible. Affordable study-abroad opportunities in Rome and Wenzhou, China, build cultural literacy essential for global design practice. As part of an R2 Research Institution and federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, the School combines innovation with equity. Graduates leave with award-winning portfolios, industry connections, and recognition from GDUSA, The One Club, PRINT, D&AD, Graphis, and CommArts—prepared not just to enter the profession, but to elevate it. kean.edu/academics/michael-graves-college-architecture-and-design/robert-busch-school-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Kennesaw State University
Graphic Communications at Kennesaw State University is one of the largest and most dynamic programs in the School of Art and Design. Designed for creative innovators, the program blends design, technology, and visual storytelling to prepare students for success in today’s rapidly changing global marketplace. Through hands-on projects and real-world experiences, students gain thetechnical skills, creative confidence, and professional versatility that employers value. Accredited by NASAD, the School of Art and Design (SOAAD) offers exciting degree options, including the BFA in Art, the BFA in Digital Animation, and the MA in Art and Design. Located just outside Atlanta, SOAAD connects students directly to one of the nation’s most vibrant creative hubs, opening doors to internships, collaborations, and careers across local and international industries. arts.kennesaw.edu/visual-arts Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Kent State University
Kent State University’s School of Visual Communication Design (VCD) offers a nationally accredited, cross-disciplinary education known for its innovative curriculum. The school cultivates creative problem-solving aligned with current professional expectations, spanning motion design, photography, illustration, typography and interaction design. The school offers B.A., B.F.A. and B.S. degrees in Visual Communication Design, Photography and User Experience Design as well as pathways to M.A. and M.F.A. graduate programs. This fusion of design thinking and technical skill prepares graduates to build immersive systems and solve complex problems in a digital-first world. The School of Visual Communication is the largest program of its kind in the state of Ohio, and our alumni launch successful careers as creative leaders and designers at world-renowned organizations across diverse sectors, including technology giants like Microsoft and Amazon, entertainment powerhouses like Disney and Netflix, and major brands such as NASA and American Greetings. Students benefit from hands-on learning opportunities, professional internships and collaborative projects through initiatives like Glyphix and IdeaBase, which connect classroom learning with industry practice. Ranked among the nation’s best, Kent State’s VCD is the ideal destination for aspiring designers, photographers and creative professionals seeking a comprehensive, forward-thinking education. kent.edu/vcd Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Maryland Institute College of Art
mica.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
massart.edu/academics/programs/communication-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Mercer University
Mercer University Department of Art & Design offers a comprehensive curriculum that encourages the investigation of contemporary directions in art, imaging, and visual communication, housed within a vibrant liberal arts program. By working in a wide range of print and interactive media, students develop cohesive portfolios appropriate for the pursuit of graduate studies or professional practice. Theory, methodology, and industry-standard technology are taught by award-winning faculty members to prepare students for success in this continually evolving field of study. liberalarts.mercer.edu/academic-programs/majors-and-minors/graphic-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Michigan State University
Michigan State University, founded in 1855 as a pioneering land-grant institution, is one of the top research universities in the world — on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation — and is home to a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders. Within the Department of Art, Art History, and Design, students in the Graphic Design Program are exposed to a series of experimental and intellectual exercises that prepare them for a wide range of professional careers in design. Notable alum, such as Katherine and Michael McCoy, Sam Landers, Doug Kisor, and Ellen Bruss, have made historic contributions to design history and continue to give back to our students in lasting and meaningful ways. Real-world experience is gained through internships, the client-initiated coursework of Design Center, and the AIGA student group. Inspiring lectures demonstrate the wide scope of the profession, as renowned designers are brought in as part of the annual Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series. Past lecturers include Massimo Vignelli, Martin Venezky, Ben Fry, Nancy Skolos & Tom Wedell, James Victore, Andrew Blauvelt, Jim Sherraden, Stuart Bailey, Jan Wilker, Hans Allemann, and Karen Cheng. art.msu.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD)
As a future designer, art director, or creative director working within a diverse global community, the Communication Design program at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design prepares students to create compelling 2D, 3D, and 4D visual communication that informs, engages, and educates in innovative ways. Students think conceptually while developing visual literacy and a distinct creative voice through thought-provoking, engaging projects that challenge skills and encourage growth. They learn to communicate ideas clearly and create visually compelling solutions to complex problems. Throughout the program, students build strong presentation and collaboration skills while developing their portfolios through specialized electives, real client projects, and design internships in Milwaukee and beyond. MIAD’s top-ranked Communication Design program allows students to focus on the areas that interest them most while preparing for an ever-changing creative marketplace. Designed to provide the tools, knowledge, and professional experience necessary for long-term success, the program prepares graduates to lead their own creative businesses and hold key positions at advertising agencies, design firms, and major corporations. www.miad.edu/academic-programs/degree-programs/communication-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
www.mcad.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/graphic-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Montana State University
Unleash creativity and launch a career in graphic design with Montana State University’s NASAD-accredited BFA program! This nationally recognized, four-year degree prepares students for dynamic careers in the creative industries, with a 30-year history of placing graduates in top design firms, advertising agencies, and creative industries. The curriculum combines foundational art and design courses with advanced topics like Typography, Identity Systems, UX/UI, Motion Graphics, Publication Design and Design for Society while incorporating hands-on experience in Letterpress printing. Students also gain access to professional industry grade resources, including large-format printers, a Risograph duplicator, binding tools, laser cutting and 3D Printing. Faculty guide students every step of the way, from building a portfolio to landing a dream job. With its focus on creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation, the program equips students for success in a competitive field. art.montana.edu/areas-of-study/graphic-design.htm l Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
North Carolina State University
The Graphic & Experience Design Program at NC State University’s College of Design blends user experience and user interface design (UX/UI) with traditional graphic design practices like branding, typography, service design, and exhibition design. Through project-based assignments, graphic & experience design students acquire strong formal and conceptual skills framed by a human-centered approach. Students progress to advanced studios that enable in-depth exploration of special topics such as data visualization, branding, accessible design, and artificial intelligence. The NC State Graphic & Experience Design (GXD) program is consistently recognized as one of the top NASAD-accredited design programs in the country. Students are embedded in a College of Design which allows them to thrive in a creative culture alongside fellow graphic & experience designers, industrial designers, landscape architects and architects. design.ncsu.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Otis College of Art and Design
www.otis.edu/index.html Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Parsons School of Design
newschool.edu/parsons/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
At Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, we are makers and dreamers, designers and entrepreneurs. Here students learn to make creativity their careers. Located in the heart of Lancaster city’s thriving arts community, inspiration is found around every corner. It’s the personal attention and guidance from our faculty of working artists, coupled with internships and hands-on experiences, that set us apart. A hallmark of our Graphic Design program is our annual Designathon event, a day-long push of brainstorming, designing, refining, production, and presentations, as students and faculty create free marketing materials — logos, websites, brochures, and branding — for local nonprofits. This deadline-driven adrenaline-filled experience prepares students well for their futures as they learn to design under pressure. pcad.edu/degrees/graphic-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Portland State University
At Portland State University, graphic design is rooted in community, experimentation, and real-world experience. PSUGD prepares students to think critically, make boldly, and engage design as a tool for communication, storytelling, and impact. Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Pratt Institute
www.pratt.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Pratt Munson College of Art and Design
Within the intimate and supportive atmosphere of our upstate campus, the Graphic Design program at Pratt Munson stands out as a transformative learning experience. Here, students acquire the essential skills to visually communicate ideas, explore cutting-edge tools, and shape perspectives within a dynamic and interconnected culture. The faculty, committed to fostering ambitious ideas, ensures a robust foundation in traditional practices while offering guidance and support. Our multidisciplinary approach to Graphic Design encompasses coursework in visual communication, typography, design procedures, and illustration. Through simulated professional projects, students gain hands-on experience in preparing artwork for publication, emphasizing real-world relevance. Pratt Munson prioritizes a supportive environment where world-class faculty provide personalized guidance and feedback, fostering a sense of community and creativity. Join us at Pratt Munson to embark on a journey that combines the prestige of Pratt Institute with the intimacy and affordability of our upstate campus. www.prattmunson.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Purdue University
cla.purdue.edu/academic/rueffschool/ad/vcd/index.htm l Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Rhode Island School of Design
RISD (pronounced “RIZ-dee”) is a creative community founded in 1877 in Providence, Rhode Island. Today, we enroll 2,606 students hailing from 62 countries. Led by a committed faculty, they are engaged in more than 40 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and supported by a worldwide network of over 33,000 alumni who demonstrate the vital role artists and designers play in today’s society. Beyond facts and figures, what is the spirit of this community? Through a cross-disciplinary curriculum of studio-based learning and rigorous study in the liberal arts, RISD students are encouraged to develop their own personal creative processes, but they are united by one guiding principle: in order to create, one must question. In cultivating expansive and elastic thinking, RISD seeks to activate a critical exchange that empowers artists, designers and scholars to generate and challenge the ideas that shape our world. RISD’s mission, at both the college and museum, is not only to educate students and the public in the creation and appreciation of works of art and design, but to transmit that knowledge and make global contributions . risd.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Ringling College of Art and Design
Since 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 11 disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. For more information, visit www.ringling.edu and follow the College on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X. Ringling College’s Graphic Design program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the design thinking process and its application to a diverse range of 2D, 3D, and screen-based media. Students learn strategies for creating concepts and designing interfaces that entice, inform, and surprise the user. Their work is regularly submitted to the ADDY Awards, and they have the opportunity to intern at the Ringling College Design Center. Ringling’s Graphic Design degree graduates work as graphic and product designers, creative and art directors, visual and interactive designers, or as freelancers with the freedom to hand-pick their projects. ringling.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Rochester Institute of Technology
www.rit.edu/study/graphic-design-bfa Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
San Diego State University
art.sdsu.edu/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
San José State University
San José State University’s Graphic Design Program was formalized in 1969 and remains the only design program in a public university in Silicon Valley. Because of its accessible location in the Bay Area, students can work with design and technology industries, professional services, and organizations that connect with broader communities. These experiences, coupled with the required internships (for BFA GD majors only), will equip students with the skills and confidence to become effective contributors to the professional graphic design world. sjsugd.org Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. The innovative SCAD graphic design curriculum is rooted in creative processes, problem-solving methodologies, and visualization concepts designed to connect users to brands. Each year, SCAD graphic design students earn illustrious accolades, including Applied Arts Student Awards, GDUSA, and International Design Awards. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. A 2025 study found that 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more. Through SCADpro, the university’s in-house design studio, students join forces with luminaries of design, draw inspiration, and form lasting connections with industry powerhouses. The combination of advanced instruction and unrivaled portfolio-building opportunities leads to elite internships and careers with iconic companies such as Apple and IBM. scad.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
saic.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
School of Visual Arts
Year after year, SVA ranks among the top design and advertising schools in the world, and has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for over seven decades. Comprising 7,000 students at its Manhattan campus and more than 40,000 alumni worldwide working at Apple, Disney, Riot Games, Tiffany & Co., Instagram, Verizon, and more, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. BFA Design is a multidisciplinary educational system with concentrations in Graphic Design, Motion Design, Branding, Interaction Design, Emerging Media, Graphic Design for Fashion, and 3D Design. Our made-just-for-you curriculum boasts one of the largest selections of studio courses in the world, led by award-winning, industry-leading faculty working at firms like HBO, Pentagram, Amazon, Meta, Squarespace, and COLLINS; networking is easy when you don’t need to leave the classroom. Intern at top agencies, exhibit your work at prestigious venues, and collaborate with actual clients (recently, NASA and PRINT) to fill your résumé before you even graduate. Master art direction, branding, integrated advertising, digital production, and critical and strategic thinking at BFA Advertising, and bring your big ideas to life in the advertising hub of the world. You’re not just learning it, you’re living it: classes are regularly held at instructors’ agency offices, where you’ll work with real clients from environmental nonprofits to tech startups as part of SVA’s own student ad agency. Students develop the competitive edge that places them at the top of their industry (and they’ve won the awards to prove it). Sharpen your voice, address real-world issues, and become the next team-building, world-changing creative leader. sva.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Sessions College
Sessions College is a fully online school of visual arts offering a range of degree programs and certificate programs in Graphic Design, Web Design, Digital Media, Illustration, Advertising Design, Digital Photography and Fine Arts. The Sessions College Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs in Graphic Design offer an accessible, affordable path for students seeking to enter careers in print and interactive visual communication. Designed for high school graduates and adult learners, the programs offer a powerful foundation in visual design and a working knowledge of contemporary design practices and media. Talented, passionate experts teach the artistic, digital, and critical thinking skills required by dynamic creative fields . sessions.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Susquehanna University
Founded in 2002, the Graphic Design program at Susquehanna University has spent two decades training and developing some of the nation’s top designers. The foundation of the program is simple—process and concept are king. Hard work is the reality, talent is the illusion. See everything. Solve the problem. Give a damn. These ideals fuel a community of designers that are changing the landscape of design every day through deadline-driven real word projects with the goal of creating competitive, industry ready portfolios. The School of the Arts’ award winning, nationally known graphic design program offers two degree options; the BFA for those looking for a career in the creative and fast-paced world of graphic design or advertising and the BA for those wishing to augment their first-choice major with professional design skills. Students will graduate with in demand skills, the industry knowledge that employers seek, and a widespread and supportive alumni network working professionally for some of the top agencies and companies throughout the country. Pairing true artistry with professionalism, doors open to thrilling creative opportunities and a career that’s durable, exciting, and satisfying. susqu.design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Syracuse University Newhouse
Designed for students who want to get hired, create impact, and build a meaningful career in design. At the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, students in the Graphic Design program gain industry-ready experience from their very first semester—working with real clients and building portfolios rooted in multiplatform storytelling, emerging media, and communication design. As part of the Visual Communications department, the program blends strategy, problem-solving, and human-centered design within one of the nation’s top communication schools, giving students a uniquely career-focused path unmatched by traditional art school models. Students learn to communicate powerfully across media—brand identity, typography, publication design, product packaging, UI/UX, interaction design, motion graphics, 3D, and extended reality (XR). Coursework emphasizes design systems, prototyping, inclusive design, AI-enabled workflows, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Real-world workshops, cross-media projects, and partnerships with industry professionals mirror contemporary studio practice and strengthen career readiness. A core value of the program is designing for social good. Students explore how design can inform, inspire, and strengthen communities while building the agility to work across emerging tools, platforms, and technologies. Graduates launch careers at leading creative and technology-driven organizations including IDEO, Google, Adobe, IBM, Amazon, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, Herman Miller, TripAdvisor, and the U.S. State Department, as well as innovative studios and successful independent practices. Newhouse offers both a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design and a Master of Science in Multimedia, Photography, and Design, preparing designers to become confident, intentional, and career-ready storytellers. newhouse.syr.edu Contact: Renée Stevens, rcsteven@syr.edu; Ken Harper, kharpe01@syr.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Syracuse University VPA
The School of Design is an inquisitive community of students and faculty that addresses firsthand the issues of the world around it. State school officials: “We take pride in our professionally oriented programs, many of which have a long history at Syracuse University. Concern for sustainable design practices, social issues, and excellence in professional practice forms the core of our programs.” The School of Design’s first-year experience is a prerequisite, providing a design-studio-based education focused on the fundamental elements of the design disciplines. Students learn basic visualization and making skills as well as an ability to apply iterative thought and action processes to a given problem. In addition, students receive a focused introduction to the ethical and philosophical grounding of each of the design professions. School of Design faculty are active professionals dedicated to ensuring that students reach their potential and provide one-on-one instruction in studio classes. The School maintains a special relationship with the Syracuse community through the activities of various student groups (including chapters of professional design organizations) who work on projects with not-for-profit agencies as well as funded research design collaborations . vpa.syr.edu/academics/design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Temple University
Located in Philadelphia, the Tyler School of Art & Architecture’s Graphic & Interactive Design and Illustration & Emerging Media programs offer some of the nation’s most respected BFA and MFA degrees in visual communication. Students develop skills in typography, image-making, UX/UI, motion design, AR, AI, and digital storytelling, preparing them for careers across print and digital media. Mentored by award-winning faculty, students take a conceptual approach to design while engaging in research, human-centered problem-solving, and social impact projects. Tyler now offers a range of majors and minors: BFA in Graphic and Interactive Design – a foundation in design with cutting-edge tools for branding, UX/UI, AR, AI, and motion graphics. An MFA in Graphic and Interactive Design – advanced design research and creative practice for students pursuing leadership roles. A BFA in Illustration and Emerging Media – traditional and digital storytelling techniques for books, games, animation, and interactive media. And a BFA in User Experience and User Interface (UX/UI) Design – designing seamless, human-centered digital experiences. Minors in Graphic and Interactive Design, Illustration and Emerging Media, and UX/UI Design allow students from other disciplines to integrate creative skills into their studies. Students gain expertise in Adobe software, animation, prototyping, type design, AR, game development, and more. Philadelphia’s vibrant creative scene and one of the nation’s largest AIGA chapters offer students real-world design opportunities, internships, and industry connections. Graduates work in top design studios, UX/UI firms, publishing, motion design, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurial ventures. Based at Temple University, Tyler School of Art & Architecture provides access to more than 300 academic programs and the resources of an affordable, world-class art & design city. tyler.temple.edu/academics/design-illustration Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Texas A and M University
College Station TX pvfa.tamu.edu/academics/visualization-program/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Texas State University
Texas State University’s Communication Design Program is one of the largest public programs in the country and is one of the best in the Southwest United States. The program’s curriculum is oriented around the preparation of a superior portfolio with a focus on enabling students to become excellent critical thinkers, fearless makers, and effective communicators as they enter the professional field of communication design. Many design programs are successful in teaching basic design principles and theory, but the Communication Design Program at Texas State University is renowned for teaching their graduates how to be creative and highly adaptable practitioners in the ever-changing field of design. We have strong ties with national businesses and organizations that offer job-shadowing, internships, mentoring, and meetups. Located between Austin and San Antonio, we’re rich with opportunities for our students to engage with area design professionals inside and outside of the classroom. Our graduates find placements in companies such as IBM, Vrbo, USAA, McGarrah Jessee, DDB, H-E-B Digital, Helm’s Workshop, Indeed, Disney, Google, Microsoft, Spotify, Verizon, frog design, and GSD&M. www.finearts.txst.edu/Art/academics/undergraduate/communication-design.html Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
The Cooper Union
The School of Art at The Cooper Union has a mission to educate artists in the broadest sense, both as creative practitioners engaged with a wide range of disciplines in the visual arts and as enlightened citizens of the world who are prepared to question and transform society. The program is structured around an integrated curriculum that fosters connections between disciplines, as well as between traditional and new media. The Foundation Program consists of a series of prerequisite courses taken during the first year. Following completion of the Foundation Program, disciplines offered are graphic design, drawing, film and video, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Students may choose to focus on one or more areas of specialization and are encouraged to follow an integrated approach. The graphic design curriculum includes courses on typography, web design, game design, information design, motion graphics and more. cooper.edu/art Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
The Modern College of Design
The Modern College of Design is a nationally recognized creative college in Ohio, where students prepare for innovative careers in design, media, and technology. The Modern develops storytellers, makers, problem solvers, and vision-driven creators into exceptional designers and future leaders in the field. Programs are rooted in design, marketing, and leadership and are available through flexible residential, hybrid, and online pathways. Learning extends beyond the classroom through internships and co-ops, and the work students create earns recognition in national design competitions. Faculty who are active industry professionals guide and mentor students, and graduates have access to a strong employer network that provides career opportunities across today’s evolving creative industries. themodern.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
The Ohio State University
At The Ohio State University, design education focuses on shaping what comes next through creativity, collaboration, and careful problem-solving. Students can explore four areas of study: Experiential Media Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, and Visual Communication Design. All lead to the Bachelor of Science in Design. Visual Communication Design was recently earned the #3 spot on CollegeRank’s list of top bachelor’s degrees. Across all programs, students engage in hands-on projects that challenge them to think critically, design responsibly, and create solutions that exceed professional standards. Collaboration is at the heart of our approach, fostering connections across disciplines and preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving design landscape. For those seeking advanced study, the Department of Design offers two research-driven Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs in Design Research and Development and Digital Animation and Interactive Media. As part of one of the nation’s top 50 universities and the highest ranked public university in Ohio, Ohio State gives aspiring designers a place to learn, grow, and make an impact. design.osu.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
The University of Alabama
The BFA in Graphic Design program at The University of Alabama (UA) resides in the Department of Art and Art History in the Barefield College of Arts and Sciences. UA’s graphic design program is NASAD-accredited and prepares students to be technically versed, critical thinkers who create forms of visual communication that are dynamic and functional, and address the design goals of the contemporary world. The program offers courses on package design, publication design, brand and visual identity, illustration, motion design, UX/UI, typography, production, and more. Throughout the curriculum, students gain real-world experience with internships and classroom collaborations with businesses and organizations, have access to state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and finish with a competitive professional portfolio upon graduation. art.ua.edu/undergraduate/graphic-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
The University of Texas at Austin
designcreativetech.utexas.edu/academics-programs/department-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
The University of Utah
www.art.utah.edu/graphic-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of California Los Angeles
arts.ucla.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Central Oklahoma
The School of Design at UCO places student-centered excellence at the program’s core. This philosophy and practice are captured in a quote by former design student Emily Falls, “When I joined the School of Design, I knew virtually nothing about design. Now, three years later, I have found my calling as a designer, and I am proud of my work and accomplishments. There are plenty of challenges in the School of Design, and it is wildly rewarding in the end. The School of Design has shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.” At UCO School of Design, students learn to be change-makers and social innovators while engaged in real-world work experience outside the typical design classroom. The School of Design is deeply committed to the university mission, which states we exist to help students learn by providing transformative education experiences so that they may become productive, creative, ethical, and engaged citizens and leaders serving our global community. www.uco.edu/cfad/academics/design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Cincinnati
At the University of Cincinnati, communication design students receive a foundation in visual problem solving. The core of the curriculum is a series of sequential design studios. These courses help students develop critical and visual thinking along with essential design processes. Students also have opportunities to further develop in the specific areas of graphic design, interaction design, and motion design. Students reinforce their skills in the field through several co-ops. Professional communication designers build careers wherever communication is important. Designers often work for design firms, internal design teams, or as independent freelancers. They have career opportunities in branding and corporate identity, digital product design, exhibit design, interface design, motion graphics, package design, service design, user experience design, and web design. Today’s designers may be found working in the healthcare system to improve health, or for governments and NGOs to impact society, or in entertainment to provide meaningful experiences for others. www.daap.uc.edu/academic-programs/school-of-design.html Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Florida
arts.ufl.edu/programs-schools/school-of-art-art-history/programs-applying/graphic-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Georgia
art.uga.edu/programs/graphic-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Hartford
At the Hartford Art School, students build the skills that will enable them to successfully enter the professional world. The School offers eight studio majors leading to the BFA — including in Visual Communication Design — a BA program in Art History, and three MFA programs. Students have the best of both worlds, pursuing rigorous studio-based disciplines with a liberal arts university environment. Visual communication design students learn how to design static and interactive work, which can include motion graphics, product packaging, and advertising pieces. The program encompasses all visual languages used to communicate, and classes on design theory, methods, and history align with practical work with real clients by senior year. Designers in this program are able to think critically about how to tell a story using design elements rather than words, and to consider not only how work looks, but also about how people will interact with it. hartford.edu/academics/schools-colleges/art/default.aspx Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Illinois Chicago
The School of Design at the University of Illinois Chicago is an established leader in design education. Grounded in studio culture and deeply involved with the human experience, UIC Design programs are organized to reflect and to advance developments in the field. Led by a faculty of renowned professional designers who are thoroughly committed to teaching, UIC Design students are introduced to contexts of culture and meaning as they develop the formal, conceptual, and technical skills necessary to confidently enter a professional setting. Students at the UIC School of Design learn formal design principles, and they acquire the skills necessary to engage these principles in practice. At the undergraduate level, students are immersed in the aesthetics, mechanics, and systems of typography, while also developing skills in printing, bookmaking, motion literacy, user-interface, and web-based design. At the graduate level, students engage in project-oriented activities that foster analytical competence in research, writing, design history, and image theory, culminating in a public exhibition of the master’s research paper and project. Design is city-centric and Chicago is a global design center. Through involvement in Chicago chapters of national design associations, employment in professional internships, and critical exposure to design practices and exhibitions, our students become active in the real world of design as they pursue their professional degree. design.uic.edu/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The BFA program in Graphic Design negotiates challenges at the intersection of traditional craft and rapidly evolving communication technologies, preparing students to effect positive change in contemporary social and cultural systems. We provide students with the necessary skills to challenge and shape the way we interact with the world around us—whether via the printed page or on mobile devices; through client-based commissions or personal projects; on virtual networks or in physical environments. Coursework addresses graphic design fundamentals (typography, critical thinking, and image making), design history and contemporary practices, research methods, user experience, and social responsibility. Students engage with complex problems and are asked to identify opportunities where design can intervene. In addition, students can develop their personal interests by taking advantage of a highly interdisciplinary selection of elective courses offered by the School of Art & Design, including photography, video, traditional printmaking, sustainability, and advanced interaction design. art.illinois.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Kansas
arcd.ku.edu/department-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of North Texas
The College of Visual Arts and Design (CVAD) at the University of North Texas offers a rigorous and thoughtfully crafted Communication Design curriculum that prepares students for successful careers in graphic design. CVAD is one of the nation’s most comprehensive visual arts schools and a leader in the Southwest, with state-of-the-art facilities that include studios, a fabrication lab, and a visual resources library. The program begins with a foundational year, during which students develop visual problem-solving and critical-thinking skills while exploring art, culture, history, and interdisciplinary practices. Admission to the Graphic Design track is a competitive, two-step process. In their first year, students participate in a candidacy review, submitting a 6–10-piece portfolio, completing a design-thinking worksheet, and completing an in-person interview. This work is evaluated by the Graphic Design faculty, and approximately 60 students advance to the introductory ComDes courses. At the end of this course, students undergo a second portfolio review, with the top 40 candidates officially admitted into the Graphic Design track. Graduates of UNT’s Communication Design program are highly sought after, earning positions at leading design firms, advertising agencies, and corporate studios nationwide. Located in Denton, a vibrant college town with a thriving arts and music scene, UNT is just 40 miles north of Dallas, a major hub for design and cultural opportunities. Established in 1890, UNT is a Carnegie Tier One research university with more than 40,760 students. cvad.unt.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Southern California
The USC Roski School of Art and Design has a noteworthy history as a supportive environment for talented students to explore creativity, experimentation, and collaboration with renowned faculty. Roski’s graduate programs are housed in a state-of-the-art facility located in the vibrant Los Angeles Arts District, a thriving community for art and design. The MFA Design program, in particular, instills a critical understanding of the issues, theories, and ideas relevant to contemporary design. Roski’s open approach offers myriad opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration across the various other professional schools at USC, a leading research institution. This provides Roski design students with the extraordinary ability to integrate diverse pathways into their contemporary design practice. The faculty comprises a diverse group of internationally recognized artists, designers, and scholars dedicated to their students and their professional work. Small class sizes ensure close, personal instruction with abundant access to faculty. Additionally, students engage with visiting designers through lectures, classes, and portfolio reviews, facilitated by the Visiting Designer and Designer-in-Residence programs. roski.usc.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Southern Mississippi
Established in 1910 the University of Southern Mississippi is a tier one research institution that has provided a quality education in visual arts for 110 years. As 1 of only 43 institutions in the nation accredited in all major art forms it is considered the flagship university for the arts in the state of Mississippi. The graphic design program has a rich history dating back to 1946 and has produced distinguished alums which include an AIGA Medalist, and numerous design industry leaders. The design program continues to develop this rich tradition of success which can be seen through our students’ award-winning work that has garnered over 300 awards in the past 5 years. Our BFA curriculum focuses on visual literacy; development of conceptual, aesthetic, and visual skills; and creative problem solving. In addition to traditional course work students can experience design in one of 2 student lead agencies: Rise Creative, and SPVA Design and Marketing. Our students also enjoy a rich culture and active community within our program with large, active student organizations that travel to design conferences, portfolio reviews and competitions. usm.edu/performing-visual-arts/index.php Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
University of Washington
Seattle WA art.washington.edu/division-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Virginia Commonwealth University
arts.vcu.edu/graphic-design/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to prepare students to be leaders and problem-solvers. As a leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers about 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 34,000 students. Through experiential learning, future-focused research, and inclusive, spirited culture, the institution strives to accomplish the charge of its motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). The Graphic and Experience Design program prepares students for a career in design by focusing on conceptual thinking, user experience, and problem-solving, while also developing aesthetic sensibilities. The program demands individual creativity, teamwork, and adaptability, and will prepare students to enter the job market with practical experience and a professionally reviewed portfolio. Graduates work in app design, motion design, product and packaging design, web and interaction design, advertising, and other related fields. sova.vt.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Washington University in St. Louis
The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis is a leader in architecture, art, and design education. We advance our fields through innovative research and creative practice, excellence in teaching, a world-class university art museum, and a deep commitment to addressing the social and environmental challenges of our time. We offer more than a dozen unique degree programs within a tier-one research university for both graduate and undergraduate students, supplemented by several creative research centers, including Island Press, the Office for Socially Engaged Practice, and the Dowd Illustration Research Archive. Undergraduates in design may pursue a BFA or a BA as well as second majors and minors in diverse academic fields. Students are free to explore drawing, typography, graphic design, illustration, book arts, and interaction design and more. The MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture program combines studio practice in illustration and writing with the study of visual and material culture. With a focus on illustrator authorship, this two-year, fully residential program is made for illustrators, comic artists, and designers interested in popular visual matter. WashU’s new Master of Design for Human-Computer Interaction and Emerging Technology is a two-year, STEM-designated program offering an innovative approach to digital product design, prioritizing societal issues, ethical and moral concerns, and the larger implications of technology. samfoxschool.washu.edu/ Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Woodbury University
Located in the heart of Burbank, California, Woodbury University’s Experience Design (BDes) program—housed within the School of Media : Culture : Design—is a premier destination for aspiring creatives. Transitioning from its roots in Graphic Design, the program now offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Design degree. This forward-thinking curriculum integrates Communication Design, Product Design, and Service Design (UX/UI), ensuring students are equipped for the multifaceted demands of the 2025 creative economy. The program’s excellence is backed by dual accreditation from NASAD and WSCUC. Most notably, it has maintained a prestigious streak for nearly a decade, consistently ranking among the top thirty design programs in the United States. This reputation is fueled by a curriculum that balances traditional craft with cutting-edge technology, covering everything from experimental typography and motion graphics to advanced app design and senior thesis projects. Woodbury’s strategic location provides a distinct competitive edge. Students benefit from exclusive internship opportunities at world-renowned entertainment, marketing, and interaction design studios. These high-impact industry connections allow the vast majority of graduates to launch their professional careers within months of finishing their degree. Furthermore, the program is a powerhouse for student achievement; Woodbury designers consistently sweep national and international awards in categories such as environmental graphics, identity design, and package design. By focusing on Professional Practice and high-level portfolio presentation, the Experience Design program ensures that every student graduates not just as a designer, but as a strategic leader in the field. woodbury.edu Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight
Yale University
www.art.yale.edu/about/study-areas/graduate-study-areas/graphic-design Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do We Want To Hear From You! GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026 FEATURE Highlight