Considering school choices is a critical step for students who are building a successful career in graphic design. With over 140 colleges and universities in California, selecting the school that is the best fit for you can be challenging. Although there is no exact formula for selecting the best college to fit your needs, you can start by evaluating school rankings and college guides to help you make an informed choice.
Best Graphic Design Programs in California for 2019
Top 10 Graphic Design Programs in California
- ArtCenter College of Design
- CalArts
- Otis College of Art & Design
- California College of the Arts
- Academy of Art University
- Chapman University
- University of San Francisco
- FIDM
- Point Loma Nazarene University
- Los Angeles Film School
Our Rankings
Graphic designers are professionally accredited individuals who use their artistic and computer skills to create print and digital messages. Also called commercial artists, graphic designers work in virtually every industry, including marketing, public service, technology, and fashion. These professionals are an integral part of the creative team and develop material across a wide range of products and platforms. Successful graphic designers are innovative problem solvers and strong communicators who can meet tight client deadlines. Listed below are California colleges that have a high standard of academic excellence.
ArtCenter College of Design
The Graphic Design program at ArtCenter College of Design immerses students on a collaborative journey involving many aspects of visual communication. Students are engaged with a wide variety of design solutions among many different mediums, including books, magazines, product packaging, and more.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
The School of Art at California Institute of the Arts is happy to offer an intensive Graphic Design program. The school offers both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, which dive into the world of imagination, theory, and technology relating to visual communication
Otis College of Art & Design
With a focus on image-making and typographic form, the Graphic Design program at Otis College of Art & Design is seen as one of the leading programs in the nation. Faculty guide students down a path that challenges them to research, develop, and refine projects focused on problems related to the visual communication industry.
California College of the Arts
With an emphasis on combining fine arts skills with state-of-the-art technology, the Graphic Design program at California College of the Arts is one of the top programs in the United States. The school is focused on conceptual exploration by utilizing practice-based problem-solving strategies.
Academy of Art University – San Francisco
From the faculty that have years of experience in the field to the latest design technology in the innovate studio classrooms on campus, the Graphic Design program at the Academy of Art University – San Francisco is seen as one of the top programs in the country.
Chapman University
Chapman University is proud to have an exceptional Graphic Design program that focuses on conceptual design methods and innovative technology. Students dive into the world of graphic design with a curriculum that includes courses involving packaging, illustration, advertising design, book design, and more.
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is happy to offer one of the most unique graphic design programs in the entire country. The Graphic Design program takes a holistic approach that focuses on creating change throughout the world. Students will learn to work across a broad range of media to help solve key problems surrounding design in society.
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
The bachelor or associate degree programs in Graphic Design from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising takes students down a creative path that leads to the next germination of professional designers. Taught by industry experts, students will learn techniques to translate abstract concepts into effective visual messages.
Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University offers a Graphic Design program that is seen as one of the best in the country. In the program, students gain knowledge through the exposure of design theory, business strategy, and new technologies. Students graduate with the skills needed to become graphic designers, advertising specialists, and more.
California Employment & Jobs Outlook
Graduates with a degree as a graphic designer enter the job market with a portfolio of work that showcases a number of carefully honed skills. Such skills are useful in a variety of industries; virtually every business will have a need for a graphic designer during its life cycle. According to predictive employment trends like those published by Careerinfonet.org, the employment rate for graphic designers is positive. Employment opportunities for graphic designers in California are excellent and are projected to increase by 13% which translates into 1,340 new job openings from year to year until 2020. This rate of new job growth is much faster than the growth of many other professional fields.