Graphic Art Schools

Information on graphic art schools. Learn how to choose and apply to graphic arts degree and diploma programs.

Become a Graphic Designer

Applying to graphic art programs to become a graphic designer can feel like a bit of a challenge. Not only do you need to meet academic requirements, you will also need to prepare and present an impressive portfolio to school faculty.

At the majority of art schools, your portfolio will play a huge role in determining whether you are accepted into the program, so it is absolutely crucial that you do not overlook any aspect of preparing your portfolio. A strong portfolio can also help you to earn scholarships towards a graphic art degree or diploma, so ensure that yours is a reflection of your absolute best work.

Portfolio requirements - what to include and how to present your work - vary from school to school, so it is important to carefully review each school's portfolio requirements and follow those requirements exactly. Although you may be talented, not fulfilling portfolio requirements may mean the difference between being accepted into a program and not being accepted into a program.

In general, your portfolio should include recent work that demonstrates your technical skills as well as your ability to work in a variety of media (again, check the school's admission requirements for details about what, specifically, you'll need to include in your portfolio).

Have your portfolio reviewed by an objective professional. Many graphic art schools host National Portfolio Days, where you can have your portfolio reviewed for free by representatives of the college. Look for this event in your area; an unbiased review by a professional can help you to create a winning portfolio.

If you schedule campus tours of colleges that interest you, you may also be able to schedule a portfolio review along with your campus tour. Do not pass up opportunities to receive constructive feedback about your portfolio by seasoned professionals.

When it comes to choosing which graphic art schools you will apply to, your best options will vary widely depending upon your location, your willingness to move to a new city to go to school, your reasons for wanting to learn graphic design, your financial realities, and any specific field of study you may want to pursue (i.e. different schools are known for excellence in different areas of specialization).

There are a wide variety of ways to learn graphic design. You may choose a traditional graphic arts degree program, or you may decide to choose one of the online graphic design programs. Keep in mind, it is completely up to you to ensure you are choosing a program that is respected by employers, that will teach you all of the fundamentals you need to know, and that will allow you to achieve your career and creative goals.

For some employers, the school you attend really matters, so you'll want to research schools well before you commit to attending a specific graphic design program.

Start by speaking with professionals in the field to find out how graphic art schools in your area are regarded by professionals. Art teachers, professional graphic artists and employers who hire graphic artists can all be good sources of information about programs in your area.

Do schedule campus visits and speak with the graphic arts program coordinator whenever possible. However, keep in mind this person is biased; he or she will want to promote that particular school's program to you, so filter the information you get from program coordinators along with information you get from more unbiased sources.

It's beyond the scope of this site to include a comprehensive list of graphic art schools around the world. A great place to start looking for that information is your local professional association for graphic designers. You can get started researching graphic art schools and how to become a graphic designer at the sites below.

American Institute of Graphic Arts (this link opens in a new window)
Professional association for design in the United States.

Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (this link opens in a new window)
Professional association for graphic designers in Canada.

International Council of Graphic Design Association (this link opens in a new window)
World body for professional communication design.