Best Graphic Design Programs

Did You Know.The Art Institutes offer degree programs in animation, graphic design, game art & design, game programing and others at dozens of campuses across the US.

Advances in technology and interactive media have forced today’s graphic designer to become more creative, computer savvy, and competitive. And that’s not all. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they also have to be multi-faceted. The Bureau states that jobseekers in this field are expected to face keen competition, so graphic designers with both web design and animation experience will have the best opportunities. This is especially true in the state of California.

To meet the strong demand for a new and improved kind of graphic designer, schools across America have added comprehensive graphic design programs or reworked existing programs. The result? It’s safe to say that the U.S. now has some of the best graphic design programs in the world. Although the best programs can be found across the map, some states have a higher concentration than others. California is one of those states.

With more than 26, 000 graphic designers, California is home to the nation’s highest population of salaried graphic designers. It also has the highest number of accredited colleges in the U.S. Of the state’s 486 accredited colleges and universities, nearly two dozen offer some of the best graphic design programs in the world. These schools made the list of best schools based on factors such as faculty resources, graduation and retention rates, financial resources, student selectivity, number of program offerings, and peer assessment.

While many of the state’s best graphic design programs are offered at schools in Los Angeles, Hollywood, and San Francisco, cities such as Irvine, Emeryville, Pasadena, and Valencia offer some stiff competition. Continue reading to review some of California’s best graphic design school programs and what they have to offer.

Best Graphic Design School Programs Southern California

Burbank
Woodbury University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Animation

Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Entertainment Art/Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Design – Graphic Design and Illustration Concentrations

Irvine
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising - Degrees Offered: A. A. Graphic Design (Branding or Entertainment), Digital Media; many students go on to earn their B. S. degrees in Business Management

Laguna Beach
Laguna College of Art and Design - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Illustration, Game Art, Animation

Long Beach
California State University Long Beach - Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. in Art with Graphic Design or Illustration Option; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Studio Art: - Graphic Design or Illustration/Animation Track

Los Angeles
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) - Degrees Offered: A. A. in Digital Media, Graphic Design (Branding or Entertainment); many students go on to earn their B. S. degrees in Business Management