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Design Research

What is design research.

Design research is the practice of gaining insights by observing users and understanding industry and market shifts. For example, in service design it involves designers’ using ethnography—an area of anthropology—to access study participants, to gain the best insights and so be able to start to design popular services.

“We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know.” — Carl Rogers, Psychologist and founding father of the humanistic approach & psychotherapy research

Service design expert and Senior Director of User Research at Twitch Kendra Shimmell explains what goes into good design research in this video.

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Get Powerful Insights with Proper Design Research

When you do user research well, you can fuel your design process with rich insights into how your target users interact—or might interact—in contexts to do the things they must do to achieve their goals using whatever they need on the way. That’s why it’s essential to choose the right research methods and execute them properly. Then, you’ll be able to reach those participants who agree to be test users/customers, so they’ll be comfortable enough to give you accurate, truthful insights about their needs, desires, pain points and much more. As service design can involve highly intricate user journeys , things can be far more complex than in “regular” user experience (UX) design . That’s where design research comes in, with its two main ingredients:

Qualitative research – to understand core human behaviors, habits and tasks/goals

Industry and Market research – to understand shifts in technology and in business models and design-relevant signs

An ideal situation—where you have enough resources and input from experts—is to combine the above to obtain the clearest view of the target customers of your proposed—or improved—service and get the most accurate barometer reading of what your market wants and why. In any case, ethnography is essential. It’s your key to decoding this very human economy of habits, motivations, pain points, values and other hard-to-spot factors that influence what people think, feel, say and do on their user journeys. It’s your pathway to creating personas —fictitious distillations that prove you empathize with your target users as customers—and to gain the best insights means you carefully consider how to access these people on their level. When you do ethnographic field studies, you strive for accurate observations of your users/customers in the context of using a service .

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0

How to Leverage Ethnography to Do Proper Design Research

Whatever your method or combination of methods (e.g., semi-structured interviews and video ethnography), the “golden rules” are:

Build rapport – Your “test users” will only open up in trusting, relaxed, informal, natural settings. Simple courtesies such as thanking them and not pressuring them to answer will go a long way. Remember, human users want a human touch, and as customers they will have the final say on a design’s success.

Hide/Forget your own bias – This is a skill that will show in how you ask questions, which can subtly tell users what you might want to hear. Instead of asking (e.g.) “The last time you used a pay app on your phone, what was your worst security concern?”, try “Can you tell me about the last time you used an app on your phone to pay for something?”. Questions that betray how you might view things can make people distort their answers.

Embrace the not-knowing mindset and a blank-slate approach – to help you find users’ deep motivations and why they’ve created workarounds. Trying to forget—temporarily—everything you’ve learned about one or more things can be challenging. However, it can pay big dividends if you can ignore the assumptions that naturally creep into our understanding of our world.

Accept ambiguity – Try to avoid imposing a rigid binary (black-and-white/“yes”-or-“no”) scientific framework over your users’ human world.

Don’t jump to conclusions – Try to stay objective. The patterns we tend to establish to help us make sense of our world more easily can work against you as an observer if you let them. It’s perfectly human to rely on these patterns so we can think on our feet. But your users/customers already will be doing this with what they encounter. If you add your own subjectivity, you’ll distort things.

Keep an open mind to absorb the users’ world as present it – hence why it’s vital to get some proper grounding in user research. It takes a skilled eye, ear and mouth to zero in on everything there is to observe, without losing sight of anything by catering to your own agendas, etc.

Gentle encouragement helps; Silence is golden – a big part of keeping a naturalistic setting means letting your users stay comfortable at their own pace (within reason). Your “Mm-mmhs” of encouragement and appropriate silent stretches can keep your research safe from users’ suddenly putting politeness ahead of honesty if they feel (or feel that you’re) uncomfortable.

Overall, remember that two people can see the same thing very differently, and it takes an open-minded, inquisitive, informal approach to find truly valuable insights to understand users’ real problems.

Learn More about Design Research

Take our Service Design course, featuring many helpful templates: Service Design: How to Design Integrated Service Experiences

This Smashing Magazine piece nicely explores the human dimensions of design research: How To Get To Know Your Users

Let Invision expand your understanding of design research’s value, here: 4 types of research methods all designers should know .

Literature on Design Research

Here’s the entire UX literature on Design Research by the Interaction Design Foundation, collated in one place:

Learn more about Design Research

Take a deep dive into Design Research with our course Service Design: How to Design Integrated Service Experiences .

Services are everywhere! When you get a new passport, order a pizza or make a reservation on AirBnB, you're engaging with services. How those services are designed is crucial to whether they provide a pleasant experience or an exasperating one. The experience of a service is essential to its success or failure no matter if your goal is to gain and retain customers for your app or to design an efficient waiting system for a doctor’s office.

In a service design process, you use an in-depth understanding of the business and its customers to ensure that all the touchpoints of your service are perfect and, just as importantly, that your organization can deliver a great service experience every time . It’s not just about designing the customer interactions; you also need to design the entire ecosystem surrounding those interactions.

In this course, you’ll learn how to go through a robust service design process and which methods to use at each step along the way. You’ll also learn how to create a service design culture in your organization and set up a service design team . We’ll provide you with lots of case studies to learn from as well as interviews with top designers in the field. For each practical method, you’ll get downloadable templates that guide you on how to use the methods in your own work.

This course contains a series of practical exercises that build on one another to create a complete service design project . The exercises are optional, but you’ll get invaluable hands-on experience with the methods you encounter in this course if you complete them, because they will teach you to take your first steps as a service designer. What’s equally important is that you can use your work as a case study for your portfolio to showcase your abilities to future employers! A portfolio is essential if you want to step into or move ahead in a career in service design.

Your primary instructor in the course is Frank Spillers . Frank is CXO of award-winning design agency Experience Dynamics and a service design expert who has consulted with companies all over the world. Much of the written learning material also comes from John Zimmerman and Jodi Forlizzi , both Professors in Human-Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University and highly influential in establishing design research as we know it today.

You’ll earn a verifiable and industry-trusted Course Certificate once you complete the course. You can highlight it on your resume, CV, LinkedIn profile or on your website.

All open-source articles on Design Research

Adding quality to your design research with an ssqs checklist.

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• Graphic Design

The Significance of Design Research in Graphic Designing

Research in graphic design gives you the answers to critical questions like what characteristics should a logo, web page, poster, etc. have? 

When we say design research, we don’t mean scientific experiments and analysis. We simply mean gaining a more nuanced understanding of:

• The people, business, or brand you are designing for
• The basic questions that come up during the design process. 

At the end of the research, you may not have hard facts in your hand, such as which colour to use or not. But you will have feasible ideas and concepts upon which you can build to make effective and stunning designs. 

This brings us to the question of what is design research. We unpack what it means in this blog. We also talk about the benefits of research in graphic designing and the golden rules you should follow. 

What is Research in Graphic Design?

Research is critical in any area of design, from logos to posters. It is about collecting data through interviews with clients, user feedback, domain research and more. It guides the creation of the design by helping you understand what makes people tick. 

It lends you a frame of reference using which you can shape an idea into something people will want to see. At the very heart of it, design research is learning about people’s behaviour. 

Let’s say you are designing a website. With research, you find out who will visit the site and what sort of design elements will appeal to them the most. 

Why must a graphic designer do research?

There are several reasons why every good graphic design course emphasizes on research:

• It helps you fully understand the problem.
• It helps you create a design with confidence. 
• What do you need to design?
• Why do you need to make it?
• How will it be used?

Essentially, research arms a graphic designer with knowledge, making it easier to create something that the client will love. 

Assume you are asked to make a UI. Without research, the chances of the UI design being rejected are high. Why? Because you don’t have enough information on what will appeal to the client. 

On the other hand, if you research well, you’ll design a UI that will work in the real world and be liked by people. This increases the chances of the client accepting your design. 

But can’t a graphic designer rely on the information the client provided? No. You need to ask questions, dig deeper to understand the industry, the company, the product or service. 

A graphic designer can never have too much information. This is particularly important when designing for an industry, product or service you are not aware of. 

What are the benefits of research in graphic design?

Design research is a mix of aesthetics, user feedback, technology, and the client’s goals. But the most effective graphic designs are user-centric.

A user-centric approach to graphic design means you keep the people who will see the design as the most important factor. How do you do that? By gathering feedback from users. 

You can conduct interviews with the target audience to determine what resonates with them and what parts of the design they do not like. You can even talk to the brand, client or business to find out what they want to communicate with the design. 

In simpler words, the biggest benefit of design research is unearthing crucial information on what users want and what the brand hopes to accomplish . 

A very simple example of research in design is creating mood boards. You can create a mood board for colour, iconography, typography and more. You can then show them to others to test what rings a bell with the client and aligns with their goals. Using the feedback, you can then refine your design. 

It helps you uncover actionable insights.

Graphic design is complex. There are too many aspects that go into designing something even as simple as a logo. 

That’s the second benefit of research in graphic designing.  It helps you identify the client’s tastes and preferences before you make a heavy investment into the design. 

For instance, you are asked to make a web page for a cosmetic company. How do you pin down what type of layout they will like? Or if they like bold colours and vibrant images instead of subtle colour and simple photos?

Adding to the confusion is the fact that the same thing may have different meanings for people. What appears “cool” to you may seem “not sophisticated enough” to the cosmetic company.

Design research helps you remove mix-ups like these. You get clear cut insights that allow you to take action. 

What are the 5 golden rules of design research?

As the best graphic design institute in Kolkata and our experience with innumerable graphic designers says there are 5 thumb rules in design research.

Art not science

Design research is not a science experiment that will give you numbers. It is more an art. What you should be looking for is what emotions does the design evoke , does it resonate with people, or does it intrigue their sensibilities? 

Perception over preference

Don’t focus your research on what type of design people prefer. Instead of asking if this design will sway a person to buy a product, ask what it communicates to them or how they perceive it.

Brand comes first

Graphic designers often confuse research with asking people to explain what they like in their design. That should not be the focal point. It should be the brand. First, ask people what they love about the product or service. Then ask them if the design communicates the same or not. 

Factor in familiarity

People do not like change. So, they tend to like what is familiar to them. If you design something disruptive, ground-breaking or new, keep in mind that most people may not like it at first glance . 

Don’t ask for advice

You are the graphic designer, not the consumer. So, never ask them for advice on how to improve the logo, webpage, poster or more. Simply pay attention to how they react to the design and not their so-called expertise.

What should graphic designer research? 

Now that you are clear on what design research is, how it benefits you and what rules you must follow, we give you the five key areas where you should begin your research. 

Since graphic design research can be a broad area, we use logo designing as an example. But you can use the process for design research for any other field.

Step 1: why do they need a logo?

This should always be the first step – finding out why the brand or company needs the design. In the case of a logo, it can be because they are a new brand or they may be redesigning.

For a new company, your research should move on to step two. But if it is a redesign, dig deeper.

• Is the company redesigning because their original logo was created in a hurry (and cheaply) when they started?
• Are they creating a new product, and that is why they need a new logo?
• Are they merging with another company (like in the case of Vodafone and Idea) and require a different logo?

You have to understand the reasons for the change in the logo . Only then will you be able to decide on whether you need to start from scratch or to evolve the current version. 

Step 2: what is the brand about?

It sounds like common sense, but plenty of graphic designers skip this step. Please don’t. You need to know what the brand or company does . Also, discover:

• The history of the firm
• What products do they have?
• What problem does the product solve?
• What are the values of the brand?
• What message does the company want to communicate?

The answers to all this should impact the design of the logo. 

Step 3: Who is the audience?

How do you design an attractive logo? By knowing the target audience . No matter how striking your logo is, it will not be effective if the intended audience is kids, and you designed it for adults. 

One way to research the target audience is to ask the client. If they don’t know who they want to target, ask them to describe their ideal customer. This would include:

• What is their gender?
• What is their age?
• Where are they located?
• What is their lifestyle?
• How much do they earn?

Knowing these demographics will help you understand their pain points and what they want from a brand. Use it to design the logo. 

Step 4: What is the company’s long-term vision?

A logo lasts for decades and decades. It should remain relevant even 45 (or more) years later. That’s why it is pivotal to know where the company sees itself in the long term. 

Say you’re designing the logo for a sports shoe company. But 10 years down the line, they hope to expand to apparel and sports equipment. You’ll need to consider this when creating the logo. 

How do you research the long-term goals of the brand? You ask the client. Question them about their future plans. Based on the answer, design the logo. 

Step 5: Who is their competitor?

The last thing a graphic designer should research is the competition. It will assist you in:

• Identifying the intended audience
• Discovering what not to use in the logo.

But more importantly, it will prevent you from making a grave mistake – unknowingly creating a logo that looks like a competitor’s . While it is tempting to copy well-known logos, it is never effective. You want the design to stand out and be memorable.  

How do you research competitors of the brand? One, you ask the client to give you a list. Two, do your own search on Google. Look at companies that sell the same service or product and companies that sell something similar. 

Where to start learning research in graphic design?

The value of research is undeniable in every field. It gives you indispensable information. That knowledge guides you to better practice. But more than that, research can nurture innovation along with creative aptitude. 

The belief that graphic design is only art and needs no research is, therefore, inaccurate. It doesn’t stifle creativity; neither does it scare you from designing something revolutionary. Rather it allows you to explore deeper and further.

It removes the guesswork from your design. It takes care of any miscommunication between the graphic designer and the rest of the team. In short, research is a powerful tool in graphic design. 

Use it, and you become a better graphic designer because you now have knowledge of audiences and competitors. Besides, it can help you discover the latest trends in graphic design . 

That leaves you with just one question – where do you learn design research? You join a graphic design course that pays particular attention to research and concept building. Any of the best graphic design institutes near you would be a great place to start!

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• Published: 06 August 2019

Science–graphic art partnerships to increase research impact

• Colin K. Khoury   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7893-5744 1 ,
• Yael Kisel   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0789-5727 2 ,
• Michael Kantar   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5542-0975 3 ,
• Ellie Barber 4 ,
• Vincent Ricciardi 5 , 6 ,
• Carni Klirs 7 ,
• Leah Kucera   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0772-4816 8 ,
• Zia Mehrabi 5 , 6 ,
• Nathanael Johnson 9 ,
• Simone Klabin 10 ,
• Álvaro Valiño   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0067-2715 11 ,
• Kelsey Nowakowski 12 ,
• Ignasi Bartomeus   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7893-4389 13 ,
• Navin Ramankutty   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3737-5717 5 , 6 ,
• Allison Miller   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2722-9361 14 , 15 ,
• Meagan Schipanski 16 ,
• Michael A. Gore   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6896-8024 17 &
• Ari Novy 18  

Communications Biology volume  2 , Article number:  295 ( 2019 ) Cite this article

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Graphics are becoming increasingly important for scientists to effectively communicate their findings to broad audiences, but most researchers lack expertise in visual media. We suggest collaboration between scientists and graphic designers as a way forward and discuss the results of a pilot project to test this type of collaboration.

When we think of groundbreaking scientific advances, it is often in visual terms – the first depictions of the structure of DNA; Darwin’s sketches of the tree of life; even DaVinci’s Vetruvian Man . The power of these pictures to speak to people, especially those outside our specialized research communities, is worth far more than a thousand words.

Scientists’ need for visual art has never been greater. More sophisticated graphics are required to communicate the results of ever more complex and transdisciplinary research. Well-constructed graphics can widen the impact of research articles striving to be noticed in an ever-increasing flood of published work, and supplementary visuals, for instance graphical abstracts, are often now requested by journals, if not required 1 . Funders are also increasingly emphasizing the value of graphics in grant proposals 2 . Online, where viewers decide whether to engage with material within a matter of seconds 3 , compelling visuals are pivotal, especially as research organizations incorporate social media attention in their impact metrics.

While many researchers are rising to the challenge of communicating their work via social media and other formats beyond their traditional channels 4 , very few scientists have expertise in visual media communications, and even fewer in design tailored for online platforms. Learning the specialized skills needed to create graphics for the changing array of conventional and new science media is a very big ask.

But scientists do not need to go it alone. Collaborations between researchers, graphic designers, and other visual communications professionals offer great potential (Box 1 ).

Test project overview

Recently, we tested the efficacy of scientist–graphic artist collaborations by pairing six research laboratories involved in different aspects of biological and agricultural sciences with graphic designers and media content creators. The work of the eight participating scientists focused on complex, societally relevant subjects within biology, food, and agriculture, including pollinators and threats to biodiversity, modern plant breeding, agricultural development and land use change, phenomics and other new agricultural technologies, agricultural sustainability, and the origins and domestication processes of food plants.

The five participating artists were chosen for their track records as producers of attractive and interesting visual online media, either as graphic design professionals or as talented hobbyists. Some had research backgrounds while others had no science training. All of the scientists and graphic designers approached were enthusiastic about experimenting with this cross-disciplinary collaboration. The researchers and designers were paired based on the artists’ interests among the scientific topics, and the designers were compensated for their contributions. The scientist–artist pairs were asked to create infographics – in this case defined as visually arresting, quickly understandable, graphical representations of scientific research – based on the research laboratories’ current projects, within three months.

At the end of this time, the researchers and artists, supplemented by additional professionals and experts in graphic design and infographics, presented the collaborations and their resulting products to scientists, research organizations, and funders via an interactive communications seminar 5 at the “Science Transcending Boundaries” AAAS annual meeting in Washington D.C. in February 2019.

Iterative approach to collaboration

The collaborations typically began with conversations aimed at identifying the target audience . This was surprisingly challenging for a number of the researchers, who wanted to communicate to “the general public”. Because the artists knew that different audiences require different approaches, they challenged the scientists to be as specific as possible. The teams eventually arrived at much more refined audience targets, e.g. “English and Spanish speaking viewers already interested in biodiversity conservation” (Fig.  1 ).

An explanation of why it’s important to protect the structure of plant-pollinator interaction networks. This graphic was designed with bright colors and a minimum of text so that it could be shared on social media. The biggest challenge was finding a way to concisely, yet clearly, explain a high-level abstract topic to biodiversity-interested but non-scientist audiences. The scientist–artist team tried many different approaches before settling on the combination of a news-related hook, a quick graphical summary, and the table metaphor. To reach intended audiences, the graphic was produced both in English and in Spanish. Design by Yael Kisel based on the research of Ignasi Bartomeus [Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC)]

These conversations fed the next step of co-creation, refining the messages of the infographics. In many cases the middle ground had to be found between the scientists’ conviction that the graphics accurately and comprehensively represented the data, and the artists’ emphasis on streamlining the messages to make them easier to understand. Each team had to determine how to distill the research into a communicable story without simplifying to the point that key context was lost. For some, the compromise was found by including data visualizations, to communicate specific information, as well as more abstract designs to relay broader concepts (Fig.  2 ). For others, presentation materials created by the scientists themselves were adapted and further developed into visual components (Supplementary Fig.  1 ).

Two designs from the same infographic focused on the role of small farms in the global food system. a is a data visualization of specific data from the research representing the global geography of small farms. b is a representation of differences in farm size definitions, a concept that the artist thought was more effectively communicated through abstraction. Design by Ellie Barber based on the research of Vincent Ricciardi, Zia Mehrabi, and Navin Ramankutty (University of British Columbia). The full infographic is available in the Dryad Digital Repository

In every case, the process of refining the message and then creating the graphic was iterative , as the teams tried different arrangements of information in search of an effective story. Often the supporting, and even the main, messages changed as the work progressed and as the artists provided input on what they found easy to communicate and on what they thought would be relevant to the target audience. In some cases, the message refinement processes brought forward points that the scientists originally thought were too obvious to mention (Supplementary Fig.  2 ). Colleagues, friends, and family from both the scientists’ and artists’ worlds provided litmus tests for progress. By the end of the project, all of the teams were pleased with their products, which they thought were scientifically accurate, visually appealing, and effectively communicated. All of the infographics are available in the Dryad Digital Repository 6 .

A number of the participating researchers were surprised to find that the act of translating their work into an infographic pushed their science forward. They agonized over the challenge of distilling complex concepts into clear, focused, and accessible messages, but the process helped them to identify the central components of their work and to note areas that they had not studied sufficiently. The process also forced the researchers to reflect on, and then communicate, why they do what they do, as well as how their work impacts society.

Recommendations

As the presentation of science moves beyond the traditional static journal article 7 , there is every reason to think that graphic art will become ever more critical. As a result of our experience, we have developed a set of recommended actions for researchers and their institutions, for graphic art professionals, and for funders, to facilitate productive scientist–artist collaborations (Box  2 ).

Researchers and their institutions should recognize the value of science-graphic art collaborations in improving the communication of research and the accessibility of results relevant to society. The sooner designers are consulted during the research process the better−not only to facilitate the creation of visual media, but because these collaborations improve current and potential future research. Based on the complex research topics of the scientists involved in this project and their uniform response that their work and its communication benefited from these collaborations, we believe that scientists in most, if not all, research areas would similarly benefit. Research societies and journals can support scientist-artist collaborations through promotion and training opportunities.

During the presentation of our project at the AAAS conference, members of the audience asked more than once how they could find a skilled artist to work with. Some organizations contain dedicated arts/design/communications offices that can work with researchers to develop graphics to increase impact (e.g. 8 , 9 , 10 ). For scientists without this institutional support, the continued creation and expansion of networks (e.g. 11 ), organizations, and companies (e.g. 12 ) providing these services would be of tremendous value.

Finally, funders should look positively on broader impacts budgets in grant proposals that include resources for graphic design, and should explicitly name graphic design components as broader impacts work they will support. We believe that the relatively limited additional funding needed would provide substantial returns in impact.

Box 1 benefits, applications, and challenges of scientist-graphic artist collaborations

Better communication of scientific findings

Increased awareness of research by both experts and non-experts

Greater impact and reach of science

Applications

Infographics

Conference posters

Graphical abstracts

Journal article figures

Journal article covers

Magazine and newspaper graphics

Website, blogs, and social media graphics

Public art pieces and murals

Scientific, policy, outreach, and educational presentations

Videos and animations

Additional time required for collaboration with graphic artists

Additional project costs to support graphic artists

Box 2 recommendations for fostering scientist–graphic artist collaborations

Researchers and institutions

Promote science-graphic art collaborations by including, engaging, and supporting graphic artists in research projects - both for improved science communications and for the research benefits gained through the iterative collaborative process

Graphic art professionals

Create and expand networks, non-profit organizations, and companies that specialize in producing scientific graphics and/or help researchers to identify artist collaborators

Provide financial support for including graphic artists in funded projects.

Graphics have the potential to increase the attractiveness, understandability, and communication power of research findings. They can help science reach audiences that research literature never will. As such, they are a tremendous asset in a time when the increased politicization of complex scientific issues, such as the future of food and nutrition security, necessitates the communication of science to society in ways are accessible and engaging.

Scientist-artist collaborations can certainly improve traditional research visuals, such as journal figures, presentations, and posters. But applications aimed at reaching broader audiences – online, in print, and on the street – have the potential to do much more (Box 1 ).

As with any multidisciplinary work, such collaborations are not without cost – both in terms of the extra time needed for the iterative process to be productive, and the additional financial resources required to fairly compensate graphic professionals for their contributions. We found that the collaborations necessitated multiple rounds of idea generation and then further concept refinement, but the investment paid off in terms of powerfully communicated graphic art and scientists’ clearer conceptualizations of their own work. In our view, the benefits of scientist-artist collaborations far outweigh their costs – especially as scientific organizations, journals and other media, and funders continue to ask more of researchers with regard to graphics, broader impacts, and public outreach.

Data availability

All infographics produced in this project available from the Dryad Digital Repository: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.7j5d5t0 6 .

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Leichtag Foundation for providing funding support for the artists involved in the science-graphic design collaborations.

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C.K.K., V.R., Z.M., I.B., N.R., A.M., M.S. and M.A.G. provided research material and inputs on the infographic co-creation. Y.K., E.B., L.K., Á.V. and K.N. interpreted the research and co-designed the infographics. N.J. contributed messaging and framing contributions to the scientist-artist collaborations. C.K.K., M.K. and A.N. identified, organized, and managed the scientist-artist collaborations. C.K.K., Y.K., M.K., E.B., V.R., C.K., S.K. and M.A.G. presented the scientist–artist collaborations and infographics at AAAS. C.K.K., Y.K., M.K., E.B., V.R., C.K., L.K., Z.M., N.J., S.K., Á.V., K.N., I.B., N.R., A.M., M.S., M.A.G. and A.N. contributed to writing the commentary.

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Khoury, C.K., Kisel, Y., Kantar, M. et al. Science–graphic art partnerships to increase research impact. Commun Biol 2 , 295 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-019-0516-1

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-019-0516-1

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A road map to scientific illustrations: 6 step graphic design process

As a scientist we love a good method — a step-by-step process we can follow. It is ordered and logical and familiar.

But what do you do when there is no method to follow? Like when someone says “be creative”… Cue FREAK OUT!!

Well, you have come to the right place! Let’s talk about visual communication and the process of graphic design.

Here is your method to being creative and designing stunning scientific illustrations. 😉

Visual Communication

Here at Animate Your Science we are all about science communication , and advocate for scientists to tell a story . 📖

We have strategies to make complex scientific concepts easy to read , 🦠 and tips on how to give an elevator pitch , 🎤 we even go through 7 tips to boost your manuscript’s impact . 🚀

But often researchers forget that visual communication is a crucial part of the story !

That graphic design is an important and often overlooked piece of the puzzle. We can use scientific illustrations to convey key messages and keep your target audience engaged.

After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. 😉

So, what is a Design Process?

A design process is a methodical approach which breaks down a large design project into manageable and logical steps.

Design might sound scary!

But graphic design actually involves a lot of critical thinking and problem-solving, much like science.

In reality, most graphic designers have a design process they follow, a set of logical steps to get a design to move from an idea... to a beautiful graphic!

Sound familiar, a bit like a scientific method or protocol.

Hello researchers! 👋 Now we know you are listening, after all this is our forte. 😉

Here we are going to uncover 6 key design steps for researchers . Want to learn how to bring your idea to life and create stunning scientific illustrations? Then read on.👇

Let’s be methodical about creating!!

Step 1: The Idea

This step may seem obvious! However, it is arguably one of the most important steps. Without an idea, we have NOTHING!

Here we want to refine the concept details to keep you on track. We want to keep the end goal in mind, for instance the end goal of a scientific method might be to extract RNA. The end goal here is to produce an eye-catching scientific graphic that conveys your main message and targets your key demographic.

Don’t rush this step, as it will set the tone for the entire project.

To iron out the details, use the following questions to guide you.

What are you creating? What is the scope of the design? Are you creating a single scientific icon or an entire poster? Or maybe a manuscript figure or a detailed infographic?

What is your key message? What is your main point? What is the graphic trying to convey to the reader? This could be a very specific or a very broad message. For instance, a methodology graphic would have a distinctly different key message than a summary figure.

Who is your target audience? Who is your graphic aimed at? Researchers, general public, stakeholders, children? Your target audience will affect the design style, degree of jargon and overall approach. For example, an infographic for young children will have a different level of detail to a figure for a manuscript.

What is the timeline for the project? Do you have any strict deadlines for this project? A conference deadline looming, a manuscript revision date, or a presentation at the next lab meeting? Having a clear idea of your timeline will help you plan your time effectively.

Now that we have the concept outlined, we move to a researcher’s favourite part… RESEARCH! 🎉🎉

Step 2: Research

Now for some fun!! Let’s research 🙌🏼

The point of the research stage is to gather inspiration, and sample graphics . Technically, nothing is original, everything man-made is inspired by something. So go get inspired!! 🤩

As the saying goes, “ Steal like an artist”. 🧑‍🎨

Not sure where to start? We have outlined below some ideas of what to look for:

Scientific Research This part you could do in your sleep. 😴 If the topic is unfamiliar, you may have to conduct some scientific research, to ensure you have a good understanding of the topic first. Most likely though you will be creating a graphic for your own research, which you are already an expert in, 😉 in which case you can skip this bit.

Examples of similar work Search for graphics, illustrations or figures or similar work. This will help you identify what you like and don’t like and will aid in forming your vision for the final product.

Scientific Schematics Check out some scientific illustrations . The large variety of graphical representations will inform the level of detail and stylistic choice.

Audience-specific content Have a look at the types of graphics your audience is engaging with. This will help you decide on the type of illustration to best target your audience.

Graphical details This one is not its own dedicated search, but rather a combination with the above. When you are gathering your examples, take note of what colour schemes stand out, which styles you are drawn to, the typography you like, or if you prefer no text?

There is no wrong way to research. Save anything and everything that captures your eye. Once you have a range of sample images, arrange them and label them, so you can quickly and easily refer to them down the track.

In the design world, this step is known as “ Mood boarding ” and it inspires the visual direction of the graphic.

Moodboard Example

Step 3: The Style & Look

Now that you have created your Mood board you will probably already have a rough idea of the style and look you are going for, now it’s time to really nail down these aspects.

Always remember to keep your concept at the forefront of your mind.

There are a multitude of styles to choose from when you are designing a graphic; Abstract, Minimalist, Conceptual, Flat, Playful, Geometric, Organic, Photorealism the list goes on. Whilst these terms probably don’t mean much to the average academic, the idea is to select a style that will engage your audience, whilst delivering your key message .

Once you have selected your style, ensure you stick with it and be consistent, or you will end up with a graphic that looks like a patchwork of styles.

Here are some different design style examples of a Bluebird, to help you understand the importance of choosing the right style.

I mean c’mon how cute is the cartoon bluebird 😍 perfect for a presentation for preschoolers.

When considering the style aesthetic of your design, you should also consider how detailed and accurate the final product should be. Striking the perfect balance between accuracy and aesthetics is a fine art!

This is a good example of how to balance the two together. 🤩

As always your concept outline will help guide this balance. For instance, a scientific graphic for children can teeter more towards aesthetics, as their attention span is shorter, and they won't comprehend the scientific details, in fact it may cause confusion and disengagement.

On the other hand, a graphic for experts in your field can slide towards accuracy to convey the details and get the key point across.

Colour scheme

When considering style and accuracy, you should also consider the colours used. For example, a blue bird coloured red wouldn’t convey the same information, as if it were coloured blue.

We always recommend picking a consistent colour scheme for your designs . 🎨 By limiting the number of colours in an illustration to 3 or 5, it gives a professional, cohesive feeling. However, sometimes this is not always possible without losing accuracy.

Not familiar with colour schemes ? Check out our detailed blog which covers this very topic.

Disclaimer: Some companies and institutes have branding guidelines that you may need to adhere to, which can include colour palettes, logos and stylistic outlines.

Typography is just a fancy way to say that the text is arranged in a legible and visually appealing way.

This can include the typeface, font colour, font size, spacing and arrangement. Scientific figures often have unnecessary text, at the expense of negative space and aesthetics.

Less is more.

Ask yourself, is it necessary? Can I phrase this more succinctly? We want to avoid cluttering the design with text.

With that in mind, we also recommend sticking to just two fonts, a title font and a body text font. You can use bold and italics to provide different variations for subtitles and emphasis if needed.

Copyright licensing

Alright, let’s quickly touch on the boring stuff. 🙄

Now I mentioned in Step 2, to steal like an artist, but I didn’t mean literally. Copyright licensing is an important aspect of design. You can use anything for inspiration, however there are only some images that you can reuse, modify or adapt.

Let’s talk Creative Commons (CC) licenses , these are similar to Open Access licensing for papers! Depending on where you are using your creation's they may be subject to different copyright.

Check out the table below for all the deets!

Creative Commons licenses by Foter ( CC-BY-SA )

Step 4: Mock Up

Now you finally get to start seeing your design come together. 👏🏼

Depending on the software you are using to design your graphic, there may be some limitations to the complexity of the design. So keep this in mind during the previous steps.

Our favourite design platforms are Canva and Adobe Illustrator .

If you want to design your own graphic from scratch with complete freedom, we recommend Adobe Illustrator. ✍🏼 Don’t have access? Try a free trial now .

Not sure how to transition to free form illustrations? Check out our blogs on How to draw in Illustrator and How to draw your research . 🎉

If you are not quite up to the challenge, try Canva instead.

Canva has a range of free stock images, called “Elements” inbuilt into the software that you can just drag and drop into the workspace. You can even change the colour of the images, just not the style.

The purpose of this step is to “sketch” out your design, like a first pass of a research paper. The idea is to just put pen to paper and get something down, you can refine from there.

Step 5: Experiment

Okay, maybe THIS is a scientist’s favourite part… 👩🏻‍🔬 EXPERIMENTING 🥼🧪🔬

No safety glasses needed for this step though! 😉

Now that you have your mock-up, start to build up your design. 🎨 Add colour, add depth, a background, or shadowing. Experiment with different ways to visualise your data . 📊 Want to get fancy? Turn your illustrations into 3D . 🤯 Have a play around with the layout. Why not try out the rule of thirds?

The rule of thirds is a composition strategy that places your subject in either the left or right third, leaving the other two thirds of the image more open.

You want your design to strike a balance of unique, memorable and engaging. Oh, and aesthetically pleasing, that’s just a no-brainer. 🙃

So keep experimenting until it looks right to you!

Step 6: Feedback & Polish

Last but not least, make sure to look over your design with objective eyes as if you are the target audience. What do you see? What would you change? Is the message clear? Is the graphic appropriate for your audience?

It is always a good idea to get a second pair of eyes to look over your work too if you can. Sometimes they will catch things you have missed. 👀

And then tweak, polish and revel in your beautiful design. 😇

With just 6 easy steps you too can transform an idea into a beautiful scientific graphic.

The Idea - Outline your concept including design scope, key message, target audience and timeline.

Research - Use those scientific research skills, and find some inspo for your design.

The Style and Look - Decide on the style, colour scheme and look of your graphic. 🎨

Mock up - Create your first pass at the design! ✍🏼

Experiment - Play around with background, layout, and fonts.

Feedback and Polish - Incorporate any feedback and finish your design. 🙌🏼

Strapped for time?

You’ve got us at the ays team..

We completely understand that designing your own scientific graphic can be a huge time commitment, especially for busy researchers. We’ve been there and totally sympathise.

So leave the hard work to us! We have professional graphic designers who can create the perfect scientific illustration for you. 😍

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you unleash your impact!

Until next time!

Related Posts

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5 science illustrators you need to follow on Twitter

How to draw in Illustrator: a step-by-step tutorial for researchers

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Steven heller.

Steven Heller, author and editor of over 130 books on graphic design, satiric art and popular culture, is the co-founder and co-chair of the MFA Designer as Author program at the School of Visual Arts, New York. He is also co-founder of the MFA in Design Criticism, MFA in Interaction Design, MFA Social Documentary Film and MPS Branding programs. Although he does not hold an undergraduate or graduate degree he has devoted much of his career to fostering design education venues, opportunities and environments.

On the editorial side, for over 40 years he has been an art director for various underground and mainstream periodicals. For 33 years he was an art director at the New York Times (28 of them as senior art director New York Times Book Review). He currently writes the “Visuals” column for the Book Review and “Graphic Content” for the T-Style/The Moment blog (http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/author/steven-heller/). He is editor of AIGA VOICE: Online Journal of Design, a contributing editor to Print, EYE, and Baseline, and a frequent contributor to Metropolis and ID magazines. He contributes regularly to Design Observer and writes the DAILY HELLER blog for Print Magazine (http://blog.printmag.com/dailyheller/). His 135 books include "Design Literacy, " "Paul Rand," "Graphic Style" (with Seymour Chwast), "Stylepedia" (with Louise Fili), "The Design Entrepreneur" and "Design School Confidential" (both with Lita Talarico), "Iron Fists: Branding the Twentieth Century Totalitarian State", and the most recent, “Born Modern: The Life and Design of Alvin Lustig.”

He is the recipient of the 1999 AIGA Medal for Lifetime Achievement. His website is www.hellerbooks.com and his blog, The Daily Heller sponsored by Print magazine is http://imprint.printmag.com/daily-heller/

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Graphic Design and Film Subject Guide

• Books & eBooks
• Library Resources

Where do I start?

Searching tips and tricks, how do i evaluate what i have found.

• Accessing Articles
• Chicago | Turabian
• Other Styles

So you've been assigned a paper and you don't know where to start. Before beginning, it's important to remember that research is a process.

Analyze the Assignment

The first step is to analyze the assignment. Professors generally outline exactly what they are looking for in an assignment. What kind of assignment is it? Knowing this will help determine the types of information you will need. The following chart lists three common types of assignments and words commonly used in their descriptions.

After reading your assignment carefully, if you still have questions about your professor's expectations, you should ask for clarification.

Select a Topic

For many, this may be one of the more difficult parts of the assignment. Although this is only the second step in the research process, your topic selection will affect every other step.

You should choose a topic that interests you since you'll be spending a lot of time with it. Generally speaking, it's much easier to do research on topics you enjoy learning about, and know something about already. Even if your professor assigns you a topic, you can choose an aspect of that topic that interests you.  The topic of "gay marriage," discussed above, can be discussed from a historical, psychological, economic, and even medical perspective.

If you're struggling with selecting a topic, ask your professor or a librarian for help.

Find Background Information

After choosing a topic, you'll begin formulating a thesis statement. If you are unfamiliar with your topic, you may need to research background information before you can develop a strong thesis statement. Background information can come in many forms. You may hear a librarian or professor refer to the sources that contain this kind of information as reference books.

How can background information help you?

• Identify key names, dates, events, issues, concepts, and terms associated with the topic
• May include bibliographies that will point you to more sources

Examples of background information sources:

• Encyclopedias
• Dictionaries
• Biographical Sources
• Statistical Sources

If you're unsure which type of source will be most useful for finding background information on your topic, a reference librarian can help you.

Refine the Topic

After you conduct some background research, you should be able to refine your topic. Narrowing your topic will help  give your paper precision. For example, writing a paper about gay marriage will often be too broad a topic. What about gay marriage interests you?

Here are some questions to ask that may help narrow your topic. The gay marriage topic is continued in the following examples:

Who?   Are there particular people you could focus on to narrow your topic?

Example: How did Edith Windsor impact the gay marriage debate?

What?   What key concepts and themes arose from your background research?

Example: What are the advantages and disadvantages for a state's government if gay marriage is legalized?

Where?  Can you narrow your topic geographically?

Example: How do Nebraskans feel about legalizing gay marriage?

When?   Can you narrow your topic to a particular time period or era?

Example: How have Americans' attitudes towards gay marriage changed from the 1990s to today?

Librarians can help you refine your topic. If you're feeling stuck,  contact a librarian for help

The Five Ws

You already know that information comes in a variety of formats, but how do you know if the information presented in a source is accurate? There is no easy way to do this, because there is no single format that is guaranteed to be accurate, and quality information can be found across all formats. After you find a source, you will have to carefully evaluate it to see if its contents are accurate and useful for your assignment. Take a moment to think about how you evaluate new information in your everyday life. When you encounter new information, what makes it believable? You probably consider what form the information takes, where the information is coming from, who the author or creator is, and when and why the information was published. All of these details are important. The Five W’s are a mnemonic device that can help you remember the essential criteria for evaluating a source. The following chart explains the criteria and the important questions to ask when evaluating an information source. 

                                                                        The 5 Ws

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The Role of Biomimicry on Visual Design Education

The change and increasing diversity in communication tools with globalization have ensured the universal presentation of visual elements shaped by local cultural patterns. Today, design products have turned into a strategic tool for many countries in order to reach higher competitive power. As the visual design industry contributes as an important visual communication and marketing tool for different industries within and outside the creative sector, its role in ensuring sustainability becomes even more important. Graphic design is much more effective, direct, and fast than other means of information in order to develop environmental awareness and motivate desired behaviors. The biomimetic graphic is a design process and style that has been spread and passed along throughout today’s culture and society via various channels and networks of communication. In today's world, where globalization and associated social and environmental problems are increasing, design education plays an important role in the development of sustainable design products. In design education, the students should be taught the concepts of ecological material selection, environmentally friendly energy use, recycling, reconsideration, and reuse. In this study, the role of biomimicry in visual design education will be examined with sample applications. In addition to new skills and knowledge in design education, sustainability will emerge as an important feature sought in designers soon.

Cosmopolitan localism as a research framework for sustainability in graphic design practices

Investigation of the relationship between computer programs and foreign language used in graphic design process, pendampingan kegiatan pelatihan desain grafis untuk warga desa ciputri di kecamatan kaduhejo kabupaten pandeglang.

Abstract Pondok Pesantren, is an educational institution that provides formal education to students aged children. There are many Islamic boarding schools scattered in various villages in Ciputri Village. The low design ability of santri and students is very unfortunate even though they are the successors to the next civilization. Besides that, in Ciputri village there is no course institution for graphic design training, so graphic design training is held within 1 day. The purpose of this activity is to increase the creativity of students and students in the world of design. Make students and students independent so that they can make designs such as pamphlets, banners or banners themselves and do not use the services of a printing company. This training is carried out by delivering material and direct practice for students and students. Participants can get to know graphic design and can practice the applications used to create the graphic design.  

Pelatihan Editing Gambar dan Text menggunakan Photoshop sebagai bentuk Ekspresi Kreatifitas

Abstract- Graphic design is a form of work produced by art workers, with the development of increasingly advanced technology now can also be done by everyone, as long as they want to learn, because there are so many applications that can help someone to produce an interesting work. one of them is by using the photoshop application. Photoshop itself is one of the most popular applications today. So that the community service team provides training in the use of Photoshop applications. This service was carried out by providing video tutorials for the participants to practice directly. After this training was able to increase students' understanding by 53.72%, and students are able to express their creative ideas in editing images and text. Keywords — Photoshop, Student, Creatifity   Abstrak- Desain grafis adalah satu bentuk hasil karya yang dihasilkan oleh para pekerja seni, dengan perkembangan zaman teknologi yang maju saat ini, hal itupun juga bisa dilakukan oleh setiap orang, selama mau belajar, karena sudah banyak aplikasi yang bisa membantu seseorang untuk menghasilkan sebuah karya yang menarik salah satunya menggunakan aplikasi photoshop. Photoshop sendiri adalah salah satu aplikasi yang populer saat ini. Sehingga tima pengabdian memberikan pelatihan penggunaan aplikasi photoshop. pada pengabdian ini dilakukan dengan memberikan video tutorial untuk bisa di praktekkan langsung oleh peserta.Setelah dilakukan pelatihan ini mampu meningkatkan pemahanaman siswa sebesar 53,72%, dan siswa mampu menuangkan ide-ide kreatif nya dalam editing gambar dan text. Kata kunci—Photoshop, Siswa, Kreatifitas

GRAPHIC DESIGN IN THE AGE OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

In the midst of economic and consumer competition between companies and industrial ‎institutions, graphic design emerges as an active actor in the sustainability of the ‎advertising and media cycle alike, a role that would not have been important without the ‎tireless work carried out by designers in various design activities, especially after entering ‎into the digital experience. He benefited from it and kept pace with the new ‎developments of quality, and it is useful to point out that the motives of digital ‎development have reinforced the values that the design worked on, and today it is ‎witnessing many transformations in a digital world that is constantly evolving, ‎transformations related to the core of the designer’s work and what he offers in work ‎sites based on Decades of traditional experiences that designers have been working with, ‎and the trend towards traditions and modern digital frameworks that have been ‎reinforced by the increase in related digital applications and software in a remarkable ‎qualitative shift that indicates an important stage in the design process that extends to ‎centuries of work and technical development.‎ The current research explores some of the turning points of this procession with ‎important articulated transformations, based on the question that:‎ What is the status of graphic design in the age of digital transformation? The ‎importance of the research lies in the following:‎ ‎-Theoretical dimension: It can be useful in enhancing the theoretical framework of the ‎graphic design process and the transformations it has witnessed in the digital age.‎ ‎-Applied dimension: it can benefit those interested and working in the matter of graphic ‎design, and the research aims to: Identify the problems of graphic design in the age of ‎digital transformation. The theoretical framework includes the following topics:‎ ‎-What is digital transformation?‎ ‎-A brief history of graphic design ‎-Graphic design from traditional to digital The impact of digital technologies on graphic design.

Application of Color Language in Computer Graphic Design

Metacognitive transcendence in the learning of the project activity of design through the sketchbook visuality.

This article aims to report the transition from intuitive to intentional projective activities in design recorded in the visual modes of sketchbook to analyze the metacognitive processes of design students. Phenomenography was used as an empirical sampling method to diagnose the sketchbooks of industrial design and graphic design students. The observation criteria focused on describing the metacognitive characteristics of the students with respect to the way they recorded their ideas visually, which showed design-specific projective actions. This research demonstrated and codified how students externalize intentional approaches in their sketchbook iterations, which can be grouped into three representation strategies: technical, methodological, and reflective; they are related to their experiences in projective activity. Consequently, we propose a new category called metacognitive transcendence, which refers to a strategy for controlling and regulating cognitive processes to transform an intuitive action into an intentional action mediated by a cognitive artifact: the design sketchbook. Three ways of metacognitive transcendence are suggested: instrumental (technical aspects), procedural (related to projection), and comprehensive (own reflection about the project itself).

Zobo Tea Package Design Prototype Allied with Product Onomastics

The purpose of this design is to create a Zobo tea package design prototype allied with African indigenous onomastics. African indigenous products are effective in terms of functionality; however, industrialized products gained more attention because of aesthetics, safety, hygiene, and other advanced technology put into consideration during production. This seems to boost the inferiority of indigenous products. Hence, the present study focuses on indigenous Zobo tea in terms of creating a conceptual package design prototype enhanced with product onomastics. Twenty-two names are derived for indigenous Zobo tea by making use of linguistics techniques. These names are used as label for designing a conceptual package prototype for indigenous Zobo tea. A Delphi technique is adopted for the evaluation of this creative process. The findings show that homonym as an onomastics will enhance the branding and development of indigenous Zobo tea even in the international market. This will remodel the inferiority of the aesthetics of Zobo indigenous products. Hence, research on the choice of an appropriate name for a particular product should be a contemporary research area to improve the present situation of our indigenous product branding and graphic design. It is believed that the outcome of this research could provide guidelines for effective naming in product package design for indigenous product development; as creative designers must not only understand the vocabulary of graphic design but be aware of extraneous constraints that could affect their designs.

Development of Body Painting 3D Printing Techniques Using Fractal Design

With development of advanced technologies, the field of beauty is under strong pressure to try new approaches in line with the highly increasing interest in advance 3D printing based on 3D graphic design data. An increasing number of researches have been conducted to develop beauty and art design object using computer design programs. As part of this, three works were presented in this paper in which body painting designs and object were applied to mannequins by producing them with help of 3D printing techniques based on the motive of fractal that started from nature. This study examined how the generation principle of fractal geometry appears in the form of nature. The generation principle of fractal geometry models nature, fibonacci, and crystalline pattern by non-linearity, irregularity, and randomness around the iterative rule of self similarity. The present study is thought to be meaningful in that it suggests the possibility and practical value of a design method that can be technically and easily accessible to those majoring in beauty by means of its utility as a low-end 3D printing object.

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49 Best Colleges for Graphic Design – 2024

April 23, 2024

Graphic design is a field of study that takes artistically gifted, creative students and helps to mold them into highly-marketable candidates for employment in a number of careers including: public relations, advertising, publishing, or working for a large design firm or as a self-employed contractor. The best programs in graphic design give students a solid academic foundation in art history, design, drawing, typography, animation, and photography. Practical skills are honed through studio courses, co-ops, internships, and senior projects. Our top graphic design programs list includes colleges that are exclusively dedicated to the arts/design such as the Rhode Island School of Design and Savannah College of Art and Design as well as many traditional universities that house design programs on campus.

Methodology 

Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for Graphic Design Majors.

Best Colleges for Graphic Design Majors

Here’s a quick preview of the first ten graphic design institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) Rhode Island School of Design

2) Pratt Institute-Main

3) Savannah College of Art and Design

4) Boston University

5) Carnegie Mellon University

6) Yale University

7) University of Southern California

8) Washington University

9) Northeastern University

10) University of California, Los Angeles

All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of graphic design and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best colleges for graphic design, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—each school’s:

• Cost of Attendance
• Acceptance Rate
• Median  SAT
• Median  ACT
• Retention Rate
• Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:

• Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
• Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.

Rhode Island School of Design

• Providence, RI

Academic Highlights:  The student-to-faculty ratio at RISD is just 9:1 which means students get a ton of personalized attention from their professors. The average class size is just 15 students. Among the most popular majors are architecture, cinematography and video production, painting, sculpture, illustration, and computer graphics. In total, there are 44 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for students to choose from.

Professional Outcomes:  Recent graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design found their next positive career/educational step at a 97% clip. Companies hiring RISD grads include Athleta, Citigroup, Chewy, Deloitte, Coach, Barefoot Books, the New York Times, Nickelodeon, NVIDIA, NASA, Fidelity, Google, Paramount, Reebok, and West Elm. 46% of recent grads earned more than $40,000 as a starting salary.

• Enrollment: 2,044
• Cost of Attendance: $85,986
• Median SAT: N/A
• Mid-50% ACT: 28-34
• Acceptance Rate: 19%
• Retention Rate: 95%
• Graduation Rate: 89%

Pratt Institute

• Brooklyn, NY

Academic Highlights:  There are 1,200 faculty members at Pratt Institute that provide instruction to 48 academic programs. An enviable 74% of class sections enroll fewer than 20 students. Overall, 65% of all degrees conferred fall under the performing arts umbrella with illustration, painting, photography, sculpture, game design, and cinematography and video production all on the menu. 20% of Pratt students earn architecture degrees and 10% study communication technologies.

Professional Outcomes:  Looking at recent Pratt grads, 90% were gainfully employed or attending grad school within six months of earning their undergraduate diploma. Employers who scoop up Pratt alumni include Warner Media, NBC Universal, Gensler, David Zwirner, Apple, PepsiCo, IBM, and LVMH. Further, 78% of graduates are satisfied with their occupation and 85% report that their job is relevant to their field of study.

• Enrollment: 3,702
• Cost of Attendance: $80,993
• Median SAT: 1330
• Median ACT: 30
• Acceptance Rate: 45%
• Retention Rate: 89%
• Graduation Rate: 76%

Savannah College of Art and Design

• Savannah, GA

Academic Highlights: Savannah College of Art and Design offers more than 40 programs of study and close to half of all classes enroll no more than 19 students. The most commonly pursued degrees are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (21%), Illustration (14%), Digital Communication (13%), Cinematography and Film Production (9%), and Fashion/Apparel Design (6%).

Professional Outcomes:  A tremendous 99% of SCAD graduates report being employed or engaged in further study within ten months of graduating. Further, 91% state that they are working in a field/position related to their area of study. Many alumni are self-employed but sizable numbers also obtain employment with Amazon, Apple, Deloitte, Gensler, Google, Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, and Walt Disney Imagineering.

• Enrollment: 13,622
• Cost of Attendance: $65,574
• Median SAT: 1240
• Median ACT: 24
• Acceptance Rate: 82%
• Retention Rate: 75%
• Graduation Rate: 62%

Boston University

Academic Highlights: In total, the university offers more than 300 programs of study, 100+ of which are distinct undergraduate degrees spread across ten schools/colleges. Many classes at BU are reasonably small—60% contain fewer than twenty students; only 19% contain more than forty. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in social sciences (16%), business/marketing (15%), communications and journalism (15%), biology (11%), engineering (9%), and health professions/related sciences (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 90% of BU grads have found their way into the world of employment or full-time graduate study. Across all graduating years, companies employing more than 350 BU alums include Google, Oracle, Accenture, IBM, and Amazon Web Services. Of the one-quarter of grads who move directly into graduate school, many are welcomed onto the campuses of elite graduate programs. For example, engineering students found new academic homes at MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and Columbia.

• Enrollment: 18,459
• Cost of Attendance: $86,363
• Median SAT: 1430
• Median ACT: 32
• Acceptance Rate: 14%
• Retention Rate: 94%

Carnegie Mellon University

• Pittsburgh, PA

Academic Highlights: There are a combined 80+ undergraduate majors and 90 minors available across the six schools. Impressively, particularly for a school with more graduate students than undergrads, CMU boasts a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes, with 36% containing single digits. In a given school year, 800+ undergraduates conduct research through the University Research Office. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (21%), computer science (16%), mathematics (12%), business (10%), and visual and performing arts (9%).

Professional Outcomes: By the end of the calendar year in which they received their diplomas, 66% of 2022 grads were employed, and 28% were continuing to graduate school. The companies that have routinely scooped up CMU grads include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Accenture, McKinsey, and Deloitte. With an average starting salary of $105,194, CMU grads outpace the average starting salary for a college grad nationally. Of those pursuing graduate education, around 20% typically enroll immediately in PhD programs.

• Enrollment: 7,509
• Cost of Attendance: $84,412
• Median SAT: 1540
• Median ACT: 35
• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Retention Rate: 97%
• Graduation Rate: 92%

Yale University

• New Haven, CT

Academic Highlights: Yale offers 80 majors, most of which require a one- to two-semester senior capstone experience. Undergraduate research is a staple, and over 70% of classes—of which there are over 2,000 to choose from—have an enrollment of fewer than 20 students, making Yale a perfect environment for teaching and learning. Among the top departments are biology, economics, global affairs, engineering, history, and computer science. The social sciences (26%), biology (11%), mathematics (8%), and computer science (8%) are the most popular areas of concentration.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after graduating, 73% of the Yale Class of 2022 had entered the world of employment and 18% matriculated into graduate programs. Hundreds of Yale alums can be found at each of the world’s top companies including Google, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, and Microsoft. The most common industries entered by the newly hired were finance (20%), research/education (16%), technology (14%), and consulting (12%). The mean starting salary for last year’s grads was $81,769 ($120k for CS majors). Nearly one-fifth of students immediately pursue graduate school.

• Enrollment: 6,590 (undergraduate); 5,344 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $87,705
• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Retention Rate: 98%
• Graduation Rate: 98%

University of Southern California

• Los Angeles, CA

Academic Highlights : There are 140 undergraduate majors and minors within the Dornsife College of Arts & Sciences alone, the university’s oldest and largest school. The Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and programs in communication, the cinematic arts, and the performing arts are highly acclaimed. Popular areas of study are business (22%), social sciences (11%), visual and performing arts (11%), communications/journalism (9%), and engineering (8%). Most courses enroll 10-19 students, and USC does an excellent job facilitating undergraduate research opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of undergrads experience positive postgraduation outcomes within six months of earning their degree. The top five industries entered were finance, consulting, advertising, software development, and engineering; the median salary across all majors is an astounding $79k. Presently, between 300 and 1,500 alumni are employed at each of Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and Meta. Graduate/professional schools enrolling the greatest number of 2022 USC grads include NYU, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, Pepperdine, and UCLA.

• Enrollment: 20,699 (undergraduate); 28,246 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $90,921
• Median SAT: 1510
• Median ACT: 34
• Acceptance Rate: 12%
• Graduation Rate: 93%

Washington University in St. Louis

• St. Louis, MO

Academic Highlights : WashU admits students into five schools, many of which offer nationally recognized programs: Arts & Sciences, the Olin School of Business, the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and the Art of Architecture programs housed within the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (13%), social sciences (13%), business (13%), biology (11%), and psychology (10%). 66% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and over one-quarter have single-digit enrollments. 65% double major or pursue a minor.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 sent 52% of grads into the workforce and 28% into graduate and professional schools. Companies employing the highest number of WashU grads feature sought-after employers such as Amazon, Bain, Boeing, Deloitte, Google, IBM, Goldman Sachs, and Microsoft. Of the employed members of the Class of 2022 who reported their starting salaries, 79% made more than $60k. The universities welcoming the largest number of Bears included the prestigious institutions of Caltech, Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Stanford.

• Enrollment: 8,132 (undergraduate); 8,880 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $83,760
• Median SAT: 1530
• Retention Rate: 96%

Northeastern University

Academic Highlights: Northeastern offers 290 majors and 180 combined majors within nine colleges and programs. Experiential learning is had by virtually all graduates, thanks to the school’s illustrious and robust co-op program. The D’Amore-McKim School of Business is a top-ranked school and offers one of the best international business programs anywhere, and both the College of Engineering and College of Computer Science are highly respected as well. Criminal justice, architecture, and nursing are three other majors that rate near the top nationally.

Professional Outcomes: Nine months after leaving Northeastern, 97% of students have landed at their next employment or graduate school destination. Huskies entering the job market are quickly rounded up by the likes of State Street, Fidelity Investments, IBM, and Amazon, all of whom employ 500+ Northeastern alums. Between 200 and 500 employees at Wayfair, Google, Amazon, Oracle, IBM, and Apple have an NU lineage. Starting salaries are above average (55% make more than $60k), in part due to the stellar co-op program.

• Enrollment: 20,980 (undergraduate); 15,826 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $86,821
• Median SAT: 1500
• Acceptance Rate: 7%
• Graduation Rate: 91%

University of California, Los Angeles

Academic Highlights: UCLA offers 125 majors in 100+ academic departments, and more than 60 majors require a capstone experience that results in the creation of a tangible product under the mentorship of faculty members. The most commonly conferred degrees are in the social sciences (25%), biology (16%), psychology (11%), mathematics (8%), and engineering (7%). Departmental rankings are high across the board, especially in computer science, engineering, film, fine and performing arts, mathematics, and political science.

Professional Outcomes: UCLA grads flow most heavily into the research, finance, computer science, and engineering sectors. High numbers of recent grads can be found at Disney, Google, EY, Teach for America, Amazon, and Oracle. Hundreds also can be found at Bloomberg, Deloitte, Mattel, Oracle, and SpaceX. The average starting salary exceeds $55,000. 16% of recent grads enrolled directly in a graduate/professional school, with other CA-based institutions like Stanford, Pepperdine, USC, Berkeley, and Loyola Marymount being the most popular.

• Enrollment: 33,040 (undergraduate); 15,010 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $38,517 (in-state); $71,091 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: Test Blind
• Median ACT: Test Blind
• Acceptance Rate: 9%

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Champaign-Urbana, IL

Academic Highlights: Eight of UIUC’s fifteen schools cater to undergraduate students. There are 150 academic programs offered, including those at the acclaimed Grainger College of Engineering and Gies College of Business. In sheer volume of degrees conferred, engineering and business/marketing are tied at 19%, followed by the social sciences (9%) and psychology (6%). 39% of sections are capped at 19 students. 29% of undergraduates work with a faculty member on a research project; another 22% have some type of fieldwork, practicum, or clinical experience.

Professional Outcomes: 95% of the members of the Class of 2022 landed at their next destination within six months of graduation, with 38% matriculating directly into an advanced degree program. 57% were employed full-time; the most popular sectors were finance, consulting, healthcare, electronics, and education. Corporations landing the most recent Illini grads were KPMG, Deloitte, Epic Systems, EY, PwC, and Amazon. The average salary across all Class of 2022 majors was an extremely solid $75,000.

• Enrollment: 35,120 (undergraduate); 21,796 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $35,926-$41,190 (in-state); $55,386-$63,290 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1440
• Acceptance Rate: 79%
• Retention Rate: 93%
• Graduation Rate: 85%

University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

• Minneapolis, MN

Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. 65% of class sections enroll 29 or fewer students. The most commonly conferred degrees are in biology (13%), business & marketing (11%), engineering (10%), the social sciences (10%), computer science (9%), and psychology (8%). The College of Science and Engineering and the Carlson School of Management have strong national reputations, and the chemistry, economics, psychology, and political science departments are also well-regarded.

Professional Outcomes: The top seven companies snatching up the largest number of recent grads are all companies headquartered in the state of Minnesota: Medtronic, Target, 3M, United Health Group, US Bank, and Cargill. Google, Apple, and Meta all employ hundreds of Twin Cities alumni. The mean starting salary for recent grads was $50k. With 130 graduate programs in science, art, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and the humanities, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.

• Enrollment: 39,248 (undergraduate); 15,707 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $33,032-$35,632 (in-state); $54,446-$57,046
• Median SAT: 1370
• Median ACT: 29
• Acceptance Rate: 75%
• Retention Rate: 90%
• Graduation Rate: 84%

Ringling College of Art and Design

• Sarasota, FL

Academic Highlights:  Over 70% of the Ringling College of Art and Design’s classes take place in a small learning environment of no more than 19 students. There are no large lecture hall classes at this school that caters primarily to Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (34%), Illustration (31%), Art (13%), and Cinematography and Film/Video Production (11%) majors.

Professional Outcomes:  A good number of Ringling College of Art and Design alumni are currently self-employed and/or doing freelance work in a creative field. Those who have more formal employment arrangements are most frequently hired by DreamWorks Animation, Pixar Animation Studios, Hallmark Cards, Meta, Blizzard Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts, Amazon, and Feld Entertainment.

• Enrollment: 1,705
• Cost of Attendance: $73,110
• Median ACT: N/A
• Acceptance Rate: 65%
• Retention Rate: 82%
• Graduation Rate: 75%

The New School

• New York, NY

Academic Highlights:  A 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio at the New School allows for 89% of course sections to enroll under 20 students. This means students in all academic programs receive a great deal of personalized instruction and attention. The most popular majors at the New School all fall under the umbrella of the visual arts (62%). A smattering of students also concentrate in computer science (11%), journalism (7%), liberal arts (6%), and English (4%).

Professional Outcomes:  Within the first year after earning their bachelor’s degree, 82% of graduates have already found their first employment opportunity or elected to continue their studies. 70% of recent grads entered the working world and another 12% entered an advanced degree program. Employers of 15 or more alumni include the United Nations, JP Morgan and Co., Amazon, The New York Times, Meta, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

• Enrollment: 7,208
• Cost of Attendance: $85,668
• Acceptance Rate: 57%
• Retention Rate: 71%
• Graduation Rate: 70%

University of Florida

• Gainesville, FL

Academic Highlights: With 16 colleges and 100 undergraduate majors to choose from, educational experiences are exceptionally diverse. The Warrington College of Business and the Wertheim College of Engineering are highly respected, so it’s no surprise that those two programs confer the greatest percentage of degrees—12% and 14%, respectively. Biology (11%), the social sciences (11%), and health professions (8%) are next in popularity. 53% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and 33% of students partake in an undergraduate research experience.

Professional Outcomes: By graduation day, 66% of the Class of 2022 had already procured a first job. The top occupational areas were engineering (13%), health care (13%), computer science (5%), and marketing (4%). 200+ Gator alumni can be found at top corporations like Google, EY, Raymond James, Deloitte, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and PwC. The average salary for all 2022 grads was $69k, with a high of $100k for computer science majors. Of those pursuing advanced degrees, a master’s degree was the most popular pursuit (63%) followed by law school (11%).

• Enrollment: 34,552 (undergraduate); 20,659 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $23,530 (in-state); $45,808 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1400
• Median ACT: 31
• Acceptance Rate: 23%
• Graduation Rate: 90%

California Institute of the Arts

• Santa Clarita

Academic Highlights:  Students come to the California Institute of the Arts for very specific reasons. The most commonly pursued majors include animation, interactive technology, video graphics and special effects (28%),  acting (8%), fine/studio arts (8%), music theory and composition (8%), graphic design (8%), and technical theatre/theatre design and technology (8%). Classes are small and personalized instruction is available thanks to a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Professional Outcomes:  Many graduates go on to do freelance work or are self-employed, but large numbers of students are scooped up by the Walt Disney Company, Pixar Animation Studios, Netflix, Apple, Nickelodeon Animation, and DreamWorks Animation. Some also work in the tech industry for the likes of Google and Apple. The vast majority of alumni settle in Los Angeles, but many others travel to New York City and San Francisco.

• Enrollment: 965
• Cost of Attendance: $67,502
• Acceptance Rate: 29%
• Retention Rate: 79%
• Graduation Rate: 72%

University of Michigan

• Ann Arbor, MI

Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges, and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) enrolls the majority of students. The Ross School of Business offers highly rated programs in entrepreneurship, management, accounting, and finance. The College of Engineering is also one of the best in the country. By degrees conferred, engineering (15%), computer science (14%), and the social sciences (11%) are most popular. A solid 56% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school, with healthcare, education, law, banking, research, nonprofit work, and consulting being the most popular sectors. Within three months, 99% of Ross grads are employed with a median salary of $90k. Top employers include Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, EY, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Deloitte, and Amazon.  Within six months, 96% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $84k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta employ the greatest number of alumni.

• Enrollment: 32,695 (undergraduate); 18,530 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $35,450 (in-state); $76,294 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1470
• Median ACT: 33
• Acceptance Rate: 18%

Temple University

• Philadelphia, PA

Academic Highlights: Temple offers 100 undergraduate programs, including those at the well-regarded Fox School of Business. Other programs with strong national reputations include criminal justice, public health, and kinesiology. The most undergraduate degrees are conferred in business (22%) followed by communication/journalism and health professions (tied at 11%), the visual and performing arts (8%), biology (7%), psychology (6%), and computer science (5%). 42% of classes have an enrollment of 19 or fewer students, and 71% contain no more than 29 undergraduates.

Professional Outcomes: 51% of recent grads quickly secured employment and another 18% were enrolled in graduate school. Hundreds of Owl alumni can be found at big-time companies such as Merck, Comcast, Vanguard, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, and Bristol Myers Squib. Within six months of graduating, 91% of Fox School of Business 2021 graduates were employed or had started their own businesses. The median salary for all graduates of that school was $57,000.

• Enrollment: 24,106 (undergraduate); 9,124 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $41,828-$46,866 (in-state); $56,092-$65,618 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1245
• Median ACT: 27
• Acceptance Rate: 80%
• Retention Rate: 84%
• Graduation Rate: 78%

Drexel University

Academic Highlights: There are 80+ undergraduate majors to choose from at Drexel and they offer a reasonable 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio with commensurately reasonable class sizes. Fifty-two percent of sections contain 19 or fewer students, and just a sliver under 9% of sections contain fifty or more. Looking at the number of degrees conferred by discipline, the big three at Drexel are business (25%), health professions (21%), and engineering (17%). Visual and performing arts (9%), and CS (8%) round out the list of majors with a sizable representation.

Professional Outcomes: One year after graduating, 97%, Dragons have arrived at their next destination; 81% were employed, and 13% had matriculated into graduate or professional school. The largest employers of Drexel alumni are Comcast, Merck, Vanguard, and Johnson & Johnson. The average starting salary for Drexel grads with a full-time job was $64,774. Drexel’s medical school acceptance rate was 60%, roughly 20 points higher than the national average. It offers an accelerated BS/MD program with its own Drexel University College of Medicine.

• Enrollment: 13,881
• Cost of Attendance: $81,508
• Retention Rate: 87%

Rochester Institute of Technology

• Rochester, NY

Academic Highlights: There are nine undergraduate colleges at RIT, including the top-ranked Gleason College of Engineering and the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. The co-op program is the fourth oldest in the country; most students complete a one- or two-semester paid learning experience. The most popular majors are engineering & engineering technologies (34%), computer and information sciences (20%), visual and performing arts (10%), and business (9%). RIT’s game design program is the best on the East Coast, and programs in film, art, and design are also quite strong.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 95% of recent grads had found employment or a full-time graduate program. Major companies presently employing more than 500 RIT alums include Xerox and Paychex, both with offices in Rochester. Between 200 and 450 employees of IBM, Microsoft, Apple, Intel, Amazon, Google, and Cisco were educated at RIT. Starting salary figures vary greatly by major with College of Business grads landing a median starting salary of $63k and computer science majors of $102k right out of school.

• Enrollment: 13,940 (undergraduate); 2,675 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $75,390
• Median SAT: 1350
• Acceptance Rate: 67%
• Retention Rate: 85%
• Graduation Rate: 74%

University of Illinois at Chicago

• Chicago, IL

Academic Highlights: Undergrads pursue one of 95 bachelor’s programs offered through the 11 (of 16) colleges that grant undergraduate degrees. The most popular majors are business/marketing (16%), health professions (13%), and engineering (13%) followed by biology (12%), psychology (9%), and the social sciences (5%). The business, engineering, and computer science programs all have a solid national reputation. Close to two-thirds of classes enroll fewer than 29 students.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 had a 97% success rate six months after graduation, with 14% enrolling directly in graduate school. Students on the engineering, applied sciences, and public health tracks found employment or a graduate school home at the highest rates. By volume, the largest employer of UIC grads is Chicago Public Schools. More than 100 alumni can also be found employed by Allstate, Amazon, Accenture, Microsoft, IBM, Google, Deloitte, and Meta. The average salary for a 2022 grad was a solid $64k.

• Enrollment: 21,807 (undergraduate); 11,940 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $37,572-$40,986 (in-state); $53,118-56,532 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1220
• Retention Rate: 78%

Maryland Institute College of Art

• College Park, MD

Academic Highlights: The oldest degree-granting college of art and design in the country, MICA offers 14 undergraduate majors and 23 minors. In addition to classic fine arts majors like painting, fiber, sculpture, and photography, MICA also offers innovative degrees in areas like Ecosystems, Sustainability, and Justice and Studio and Humanistic Studies. 40% of undergrads are fine arts majors while 60% are design and media arts majors. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 experienced overwhelmingly positive outcomes with 95% employed. 96% were working in a field related to their area of study and 5% were pursuing graduate coursework. Over the past five years, the most alumni have gone on to the arts and design, business development, and education sectors. Top employers include the Maryland Institute College of Art, Towson University, Google, Baltimore City Public Schools, Johns Hopkins, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and the Pratt Institute. A large number are also self-employed.

• Enrollment: 1,694 (undergraduate); 396 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $72,255
• Acceptance Rate: 86%
• Retention Rate: 72%
• Graduation Rate: 67%

Iowa State University

Academic Highlights:  With more than 100 majors available across six undergraduate colleges, Iowa State has no shortage of academic pathways to explore. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, yet, courses are a mix of large and small. 31% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students and 22% enroll more than 50. In terms of sheer popularity, engineering wins the day accounting for 23% of degrees earned in 2022. Business (18%), agricultural fields (10%), biology (5%), and education (5%) also see high volume.

Professional Outcomes: Graduates of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are employed in fairly large numbers by the likes of John Deere, Principal Financial Group, and Amazon. Overall, the most alumni work for Wells Fargo, Bayer, Corteva Agriscience, Collins Aerospace, Cargill, and Microsoft. Most remain in Iowa after graduation but many also move to Minnesota, Chicago, California, or Texas. The average starting salary for an engineering grad was $74,716 in 2023.

• Enrollment: 25,241
• Cost of Attendance: $24,204 (In-State); $41,390 (Out-of-State)
• Acceptance Rate: 90%
• Retention Rate: 86%

University of Utah

• Salt Lake City, UT

Academic Highlights : The university’s 16 colleges and schools house 100 undergraduate programs, including the top-ranked engineering, business, and computer science departments. Forty-four percent of courses enroll 19 students or fewer while 17% are on the larger side, enrolling 50 or more students. Popular majors include the social sciences (14%), business (13%), engineering (8%), computer science (8%), psychology (8%), communication/journalism (6%), and health professions (6%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 63% of recent grads planned to enter full-time employment while 25% jumped directly into an advanced degree program. Employers hiring the greatest number of Utes include Intermountain Healthcare, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Microsoft, Adobe, Pluralsight, and Lucid. The average starting salary is $65,786, and the median is $58,240.

• Enrollment: 26,355 (undergraduate); 8,379 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $32,000 (in-state); $53,704 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1290
• Median ACT: 25
• Acceptance Rate: 89%
• Graduation Rate: 65%

Arizona State University

Academic Highlights: The faculty-to-student ratio is a fairly high 19:1, but not all classes call for stadium seating. In fact, 40% of course sections seat fewer than twenty students. Business is the concentration in which 22% of total bachelor’s degrees are conferred. Engineering (9%), biology (9%), and the health professions (7%) are the next three most popular. The WP Carey School of Business offers many highly ranked programs as does the Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Professional Outcomes: A healthy 83% percent of ASU graduates looking for work are employed within six months of earning their degrees. The median salary for an ASU grad is roughly $55,000. Among the school’s top fifty employers are Amazon, Apple, Intel, The Vanguard Group, and Walt Disney Company. Approximately one-fifth of recent grads enrolled in graduate school. Similar to employment, the size and scope of the university lead to many graduate pathways. Many grads continue at ASU itself, but some continue at various prestigious institutions.

• Enrollment: 65,492
• Cost of Attendance: $28,142 (in-state); $48,284 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1250
• Median ACT: 23
• Graduation Rate: 69%

The Ohio State University — Columbus

• Columbus, OH

Academic Highlights: There are 200+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. Business sees the greatest percentage of degrees conferred at 18% followed by engineering (15%), health professions (10%), and the social sciences (9%). It makes sense that so many flock to the business and engineering schools as they are among the highest-rated undergraduate programs in their respective disciplines. 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and approximately 20% of students gain research experience.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 56% of Class of 2022 graduates were entering the world of employment while 17% were already accepted into graduate or professional school.  Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, more than 1,000 are employed by Amazon, and more than 600 work for Google and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.

• Enrollment: 45,728 (undergraduate); 14,318 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $27,241 (in-state); $52,747 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1340-1450
• Median ACT: 29-32
• Acceptance Rate: 53%
• Graduation Rate: 88%

Chapman University

Academic Highlights:  Chapman offers 50 majors in STEM, humanities, communication, the arts, and business. Overall, 46% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. One-third of all degrees earned are in the area of business; the next most pursued are the visual and performing arts (21%), journalism (9%), and psychology (6%). In addition to the famed film program, the school gets acclaim for its innovation and the quality of undergraduate teaching.

Professional Outcomes: The Walt Disney Company, Amazon, Deloitte, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Google, and NBCUniversal are the most common employers of Chapman graduates. Students in the Argyros College of Business and Economics earned an average starting salary of $77,164 in 2023. 62% of that cohort had already secured employment by graduation day. Most graduates remain in the state of California, with Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Irvine attracting particularly high numbers of alumni.

• Enrollment: 7,869
• Cost of Attendance: $90,370
• Median SAT: 1300
• Acceptance Rate: 73%
• Retention Rate: 91%

North Carolina State University

• Raleigh, NC

Academic Highlights: NC State offers more than 100 majors and 120 minors. 64% of sections enroll 29 or fewer students. Engineering is the most popular area of concentration as 24% of Class of 2022 graduates earned a degree in that field. Business/marketing comes in second at 17% followed by biology (10%) and agriculture (7%). NC State has an exceptional regional reputation and an expanding national one with the College of Engineering near the top of many rankings. Programs in design, architecture, and animal science are also very strong.

Professional Outcomes: 54% of students graduating in 2022 had already accepted full-time jobs before exiting; 27% were heading to graduate/professional school. Members of that class reported an average starting salary of $62,024 (with a slightly higher median). Including all graduating years, the companies employing the largest number of alumni are Cisco, Red Hat, SAS, IBM, Lenovo, Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Google, Deloitte, Facebook, and Salesforce. Many recent grads also work for the university itself and for the Wake County Public School System.

• Enrollment: 26,254 (undergraduate); 10,446 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $27,451 (in-state); $51,662 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1340
• Median ACT: 28
• Acceptance Rate: 47%
• Graduation Rate: 86%

Cal Poly – Pomona

Academic Highlights:  Cal Poly Pomona is a massive institution with 1,076 faculty members at over 25,000 undergraduate students. The average size for an undergraduate class section is 32 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 25:1. While a polytechnic institute, the most commonly conferred degree in 2022 was actually business (29%). Next up are engineering (18%), the social sciences (9%), science technologies (6%), and agriculture (4%).

Professional Outcomes:  An excellent 91% of the Class of 2023 had already achieved positive outcomes within six months of leaving campus. The employers locking down the largest number of recent Cal Poly Pomona grads were Accenture, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bloomberg, DraftKings, Meta, Morgan Stanley, NIH, Nike, PwC, and Tesla Motors. The graduate destinations of Class of 2023 members included Harvard, Brown, Duke, Stanford, Oxford, Yale, USC, UPenn, and Georgia Tech.

• Enrollment: 25,181
• Cost of Attendance: $29,226 (In-State); $41,406 (Out-of-State)
• Acceptance Rate: 55%
• Graduation Rate: 66%

Texas Christian University

• Forth Worth, TX

Academic Highlights: TCU offers 116 undergraduate majors. The most popular are housed in the Neely School of Business, including the highly-rated BBA in Entrepreneurship. 27% of all degrees conferred in 2022 fell under the business umbrella. The engineering program is also well-regarded. Other commonly conferred degrees include communications/journalism (15%), health professions (11%), and the social sciences (9%). 39% of its class sections have 20 or fewer students, and only 5% of courses seat more than 50.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 48% of recent diploma-earners were employed and 18% had their graduate school placement lined up. American Airlines, Deloitte, IBM, Lockheed Martin, and Medical City Hospitals employ the greatest number of recent alumni. Other companies with a large TCU presence include Microsoft, CBRE, Goldman Sachs, and AT&T. The most recent median starting salary was $58,900. For those who enrolled in an advanced degree program, the most commonly pursued areas of study were medicine/health (27%), business (21%), and psychology (13%).

• Enrollment: 10,523 (undergraduate); 1,750 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $85,051
• Median SAT: 1260
• Acceptance Rate: 56%
• Retention Rate: 92%
• Graduation Rate: 83%

University of Denver

Academic Highlights : There are 200 total degree programs at the University of Denver, with small class sizes being the norm as 55% of sections contain no more than 19 students, and 80% enroll a maximum of 29 individuals. The Daniels College of Business is highly respected by employers and attracts the greatest number of undergraduates. 32% of the degrees conferred in 2022 were in business/marketing, 16% were in the social sciences, 9% in biology, 9% in psychology, 8% in communication/journalism, and 7% in the visual and performing arts.

Professional Outcomes: 90% of 2022 Pioneer grads successfully entered the world of employment or graduate school within six months of earning their bachelor’s degree. 59% were employed full-time with a mean starting salary of $62k. Top employers included KPMG, Brown Brothers Harriman, Lockheed Martin, Epic, and Oracle. Other corporations employing 70 or more DU alums include CenturyLink, Charles Schwab, Comcast, Deloitte, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. 27% of 2022 graduates elected to continue their education in a graduate program.

• Enrollment: 6,160 (undergraduate); 7,583 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $80,614
• Median SAT: 1310
• Acceptance Rate: 78%
• Retention Rate: 88%
• Graduation Rate: 77%

Michigan State University

• East Lansing, MI

Academic Highlights: This highly regarded state institution boasts over 200 programs—undergraduate, graduate, and professional—across 17 degree-granting colleges. A 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio rates in the average range for public universities of MSU’s size and scope. Class sizes are a genuine mix of small seminars and giant lecture halls. 16% of the degrees conferred in 2022 were in the business/marketing category. The next most common degrees were earned in communication/journalism (12%), engineering (11%), and the social sciences (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Within months of strutting across the graduation stage, 56% of Class of 2022 members had landed full-time employment, 27% were pursuing advanced degrees, and 6% were still looking for a job. The top employers of this group included big names like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Deloitte, Epic Systems, Target, PepsiCo, and Microsoft. The median starting salary earned was $60,000. Among the grads schools favored by recent alumni are the University of Michigan, New York University, Columbia University, and Boston University.

• Enrollment: 39,201
• Cost of Attendance: $27,805 (In-State); $55,189 (Out-of-State)
• Acceptance Rate:
• Graduation Rate: 82%

Purchase College (SUNY)

• Purchase, NY

Academic Highlights: At SUNY Purchase, which is considered a liberal arts college, you are free to pursue one of 47 majors and 32 minors. In typical liberal arts fashion, most courses are in small settings, with 74% of all sections enrolled fewer than 20 students. No one major is wildly popular at Purchase College; rather there is a fairly even spread of students across psychology (7%), dance (6%), playwriting/screenwriting (6%), drama (4%), fine arts (4%), communications (4%), and painting (4%).

Professional Outcomes:  The rate of positive graduate outcomes is a spectacular 92% when measured 8-12 months outside of graduation. 86% have landed employment and 13% are enrolled in graduate school (with some overlap). 22% of 2022 grads work in the field of the arts/entertainment while 24% work in business and 17% work in each of education/human services and public services and law.

• Enrollment: 3,145
• Cost of Attendance: $28,131 (In-State); $38,041 (Out-of-State)
• Retention Rate: 63%
• Graduation Rate: 79%

DePaul University

Academic Highlights:  There are more than 300 undergraduate majors and graduate programs at the nation’s largest Catholic research university. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1 and 42% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students. A hefty 32% of all degrees awarded in 2022 were in the discipline of business/marketing. The next most popular areas of study were the visual and performing arts (13%), journalism (11%), and computer science (10%). The University rates well in the areas of overall value and facilitating social mobility.

Professional Outcomes:  92% of 2022 graduates found their next positive step in life within six months of being awarded their diploma. 81% were employed earning a modest median salary of $45,000. Sample employers included Epic. Xerox Business Solutions, UBS, KPMG, and a number of nonprofit entities. Less than 10% of DePaul graduates directly enter graduate or professional school right after completing their undergraduate education.

• Enrollment: 14,134
• Cost of Attendance: $66,798
• Median SAT: 1190
• Acceptance Rate: 70%

University of Georgia

Academic Highlights: UGA boasts seventeen distinct colleges and schools that offer 125+ majors. Business is the most commonly conferred undergrad degree, accounting for 29% of diplomas earned. It is followed by biology (10%), social sciences (8%), communication & journalism (8%), and psychology (7%). Top-ranked programs include animal science, business, communications, and public and international affairs. 49% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and no matter your major, UGA encourages you to conduct research with a member of the school’s faculty.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of the Class of 2022 was employed or continuing their education six months after graduation. Popular employers include Accenture, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Walt Disney Company, and Deloitte. Salaries vary between colleges; engineering grads had a median starting salary of $65k while journalism and communication grads reported a $50k median. In 2022, 24% of graduates enrolled directly into a graduate/professional degree program, with the most commonly attended schools including Columbia, Duke, Emory, Georgia Tech, Penn, and UVA.

• Enrollment: 30,714 (undergraduate); 9,893 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $28,142 (in-state); $48,538 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 43%

University of Kansas

• Lawrence, KS

Academic Highlights: The University of Kansas is comprised of 14 academic schools that offer over 190 undergraduate majors. Its programs in nursing, psychology, business, and engineering are particularly strong. Popularity-wise, the most degrees are conferred in psychology (7%), journalism (5%), finance (5%), nursing (5%), marketing (4%), and accounting (4%). 49% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students. As a top research institution, there are an incredible number of research opportunities for undergraduates across all majors.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 54% of alumni were employed full-time while 35% were continuing their education. For those employed, the average salary was $55k; top employers included University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center, Shawnee Mission School District, Kansas City Public Schools, Burns & McDonnell, and Kiewit. For those pursuing graduate or professional degrees, the most popular area of study was accounting followed by pharmacy and law; the top institution attended was the University of Kansas itself.

• Enrollment: 20,696 (undergraduate); 7,710 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $28,280 (in-state); $45,486 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1160
• Acceptance Rate: 88%

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Academic Highlights: More than 100 undergraduate majors are offered across five colleges: the College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, the College of Engineering, the College of Sciences, the School of Business, and the College of Health Sciences. Programs in engineering, computer science, business, and health sciences are particularly strong. Popularity-wise, the most degrees are conferred in business (22%), criminal justice (8%), psychology (7%), computer science (6%), and mechanical engineering (5%). 48% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: 98% of the Class of 2022 experienced positive outcomes, with 61% employed and 38% continuing their education. Additionally, over the past five years, alumni have gone on to the engineering, operations, education, research, information technology, healthcare services, and sales sectors in the largest numbers. Top employers include UMass Lowell itself followed by Raytheon, Lowell General Hospital, Fidelity, BAE, Analog Devices, Pfizer, the US Air Force, Massachusetts General Hospital, and TJX Companies.

• Enrollment: 12,885 (undergraduate); 4,978 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $34,564 (in-state); $53,390 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 85%

Miami University – Oxford

Academic Highlights: Miami University sports a reasonable 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, lower than Ohio State. As at most publics, classes certainly aren’t tiny, but Miami U. keeps the majority of courses—65% to be precise—at an enrollment of 29 or fewer. Almost one-quarter of graduates earn a degree in business/marketing, making it the most popular area of academic concentration. Other commonly pursued majors include the social sciences (9%), health professions (9%), journalism (8%), biology (6%), parks and recreation (6%), and education (6%).

Professional Outcomes: The overall success rate for the Class of 2022 was 99%, roughly the same as for the previous two cohorts. Fifty-five percent of recent Miami grads were employed and by mid-career, alumni enjoy a median salary of $118k. Over one-quarter of recent grads elected to continue their education in graduate or professional school. Miami boasts a strong premed program that resulted in 63% of medical school applicants gaining acceptance over the last four years.

• Enrollment: 16,865
• Cost of Attendance: $34,342 (In-State); $56,558 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1270
• Graduation Rate: 81%

Thomas Jefferson University

Academic Highlights: Offering 160+ undergraduate and graduate degrees combined with Philadelphia University in 2017. Sporting an excellent 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, this private university keeps 59% of its class sections at under 20 students. 30% of all degrees conferred are for registered nursing, followed by family practice nursing (12%), health services (12%), allied health diagnostic (6%), architectural technology (4%), and fashion merchandising (4%).

Professional Outcomes:  Shortly after earning their undergraduate degrees, 60% of recent alumni had already found their first job and 37% were pursuing an advanced degree. The top employers included JP Morgan Chase & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Fox Chase Cancer Center, BLT Architects, and Thomas Jefferson Hospital. Graduate school enrollments included Hofstra, Temple School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, UPenn, and Penn State.

• Enrollment: 3,771
• Cost of Attendance: $60,889
• Median SAT: 1210
• Acceptance Rate: 87%
• Graduation Rate: 68%

Appalachian State University

Academic Highlights: Students can select from 150 bachelor’s degrees and 80 graduate programs at App State. A reasonable 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to 39% of all course sections having fewer than 20 students and just 8% enrolling 50 or more. 20% of all 2022 grads earned their degree in business/marketing followed by health professions (10%), education (9%), parks & recreation (9%), journalism (8%), and psychology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Within one year of graduating, 86% of those surveyed have arrived at their next destination. Undergrads benefit from nine annual career fairs and the 16,000 employers that are approved to recruit on campus. Further, 99% of students find the Career Development Center to be helpful. Alumni go on to work in large numbers for Wells Fargo, Atrium Health, Novant Health, Bank of America, Red Hat, Cisco, and Duke Energy Corporation.

• Enrollment: 18,558
• Cost of Attendance: $20,339 (In-State); $37,335 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1180
• Acceptance Rate: 83%
• Retention Rate: 83%

Virginia Commonwealth University

• Richmond, VA

Academic Highlights:  A large public institution with 200 academic offerings, VCU still manages to keep 48% of its class sections capped at an enrollment of 19 thanks to a manageable 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Popular majors include the visual and performing arts (12%), business (11%), psychology (10%), biology (9%), education (7%), and homeland security (7%). The university is highly rated for innovation, value, and its stellar nursing program.

Professional Outcomes:  After earning their diplomas, 48% quickly landed their first job and 22% entered an advanced degree program. The top industries were healthcare, internet & software, higher education, government, and retail. Overall, 87% of grads were satisfied with their employment outcome and 78% remained in the state of Virginia. Massive numbers of alumni can be found in the offices of Dominion Energy, VCU Health, Capital One, CarMax, Deloitte, and Apex Systems.

• Enrollment: 20,958
• Cost of Attendance: $29,516 (In-State); $52,100 (Out-of-State)
• Median ACT: 26
• Acceptance Rate: 91%

Fashion Institute of Technology

Academic Highlights:  FIT is a public institution that attracts students from 46 nations and offers programs in Art & Design, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Business and Technology. The most popular majors at the Fashion Institute of Technology are fashion merchandising (24%), fashion & apparel design (18%), communication management (16%), international marketing (16%), and design and visual communications (5%).

Professional Outcomes:  78% of those who earned a bachelor’s in 2022 were employed six months after graduation and 18% were looking for work. Most fresh alumni (85%) were employed by a company and 13% were freelancers. Employers of more than 100 FIT alumni include L’Oreal, Ralph Lauren, Macy’s, Nike, Amazon, Coach, Victoria’s Secret & Co., the Estee Lauder Companies, CHANEL, Louis Vuitton, and the Style Shop.

• Enrollment: 7,872
• Tuition: $6,170 (In-State); $16,750 (Out-of-State)

University of Houston

• Houston, TX

Academic Highlights: Nearly 100 undergraduate majors are offered across 11 different colleges. Programs within the College of Business and College of Engineering are particularly strong, especially petroleum engineering, entrepreneurship, and marketing. The most degrees are conferred in business/management/marketing (28%), psychology (7%), computer science (7%), engineering (7%), biological sciences (7%), and social sciences (6%). 34% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students, and

Professional Outcomes: By graduation day, 29% of recent grads had already accepted a full-time position and 11% had been accepted to graduate school. For those who entered the workforce, top employers were Houston ISD (as well as several other school systems), JPMorgan Chase, Houston Methodist, and Walgreens. Of those continuing their education, the highest percentage stayed at the University of Houston followed by the University of Texas, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M, Texas Woman’s University, and Rice.

• Enrollment: 37,946 (undergraduate); 8,730 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $24,268 (in-state); $39,868 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1230

University of South Florida

Academic Highlights:  USF has an astounding 200 undergraduate majors and concentration areas available and despite a fairly high 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is able to enroll fewer than 20 students in 42% of their course sections. The most popular major is health professions (19%) followed by business (17%), biology (13%), the social sciences (11%), and psychology (8%). An increasingly competitive university, USF’s nursing and psychology programs are top notch and the business, engineering, and computer science majors are great values.

Professional Outcomes:  Employers that gobble up significant numbers of University of South Florida alumni include Citi, Moffitt Cancer Center, BayCare Health System, Tampa General Hospital, Raymond James, Centene Corporation, Deloitte, Microsoft, AWS, and Kforce. Therefore it’s little surprise that a study by the Florida Board of Governors revealed that USF is a highly-rated contributor to the local economy, represents excellent value, and facilitates social mobility.

• Enrollment: 38,046
• Cost of Attendance: $20,005 (In-State); $30,919 (Out-of-State)
• Acceptance Rate: 44%

SUNY New Paltz

• New Paltz, NY

Academic Highlights: Undergrads can choose from nearly 100 different majors across five colleges: the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Fine & Performing Arts, and the School of Science & Engineering. The most popular undergraduate programs include psychology, early childhood and childhood education, sociology, digital media production, visual arts, communication studies, English, biology, mechanical engineering, and communication disorders. 41% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 60% of recent alumni were employed and 28% were heading to graduate school. Top sectors for recent alumni include education, operations, community & social services, administrative, engineering, healthcare services, arts & design, and media & communication. Popular employers included SUNY New Paltz itself, the NYC Department of Education, IBM, Target, Amazon, Hudson Valley Credit Union, and Northwell Health.

• Enrollment: 6,090 (undergraduate); 874 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $27,388 (in-state); $37,298 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 58%
• Graduation Rate: 73%

University of Tennessee – Knoxville

• Knoxville, TN

Academic Highlights:  With 360 undergraduate programs, 14 degree-granting colleges and schools, 500 study abroad programs, and 1,700 instructional faculty, nothing is small at the University of Tennessee. With an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, this university offers 28% of courses in a more intimate setting of fewer than 20 students; the bulk of courses enroll 20-49 students (57%). Business (24%) is easily the most popular major with engineering (11%), biology (7%), the social sciences (7%), and parks and recreation (7%) next in line.

Professional Outcomes:  Six months after receiving their diplomas, 64% of UT-Knoxville alumni have found jobs and 27% have started their graduate school careers. The top employers of the Class of 2023 were the UT Medical Center, PepsiCo, and Axle Logistics. Among those headed to graduate/professional school, the five most commonly attended institutions were the University of Tennessee, UT Health Science Center, Lincoln Memorial University, East Tennessee University, and Belmont University.

• Enrollment: 27,039
• Cost of Attendance: $33,910 (In-State); $52,400 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1235
• Acceptance Rate: 68%

University of Nebraska – Lincoln

• Lincoln, NE

Academic Highlights: There are more than 150 majors at the University of Nebraska and students enjoy a mix of smaller classes (34% have fewer than 20 students) and larger ones (18% have more than 50). Overall, 23% of the undergraduate degrees conferred are in business and 11% are in engineering. The next most common disciplines are agriculture (9%), journalism (8%), and family & consumer sciences (7%). Business, computer science, engineering, and psychology all receive their share of acclaim.

Professional Outcomes: Nine months after graduating, alumni have entered the workforce at a 63% clip and 35% have matriculated into graduate/professional school. Employers hiring more than a few recent graduates included Microsoft, Deloitte, Amazon, Epic, Union Bank & Trust Company, and Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation. Multiple grads enrolled at the following graduate/professional schools: the University of Nebraska College of Law, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, University of Michigan, and Boston University.

• Enrollment: 19,189
• Cost of Attendance: $28,594 (In-State); $46,234 (Out-of-State)

San Diego State University

• San Diego, CA

Academic Highlights: SDSU has nearly 160 undergraduate majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. Classes tend to be on the large side—28% of course sections enroll more than 40 students, and only 31% of sections contain fewer than 20 students. Business/marketing accounts for 21% of the degrees conferred, making it the school’s most popular area of study. Next in line are engineering (9%), psychology (8%), and the social sciences (7%). Engineering and computer science majors tend to fare quite well in the booming local tech and startup scene.

Professional Outcomes: At the time of receiving their degrees, roughly 75% of newly minted SDSU graduates already have their next phase of life planned. 34% of recent grads had secured full-time employment, 21% were engaged in military service/volunteer work/part-time employment, and 17% were entering graduate or professional school. Qualcomm is the largest employer of Aztec alumni, and it is followed by Apple, Amazon, Google, and a number of other Silicon Valley-based tech companies.

• Enrollment: 31,724 (undergraduate); 4,913 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $34,072 (in-state); $46,952 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 39%

University of Nevada Las Vegas

• Las Vegas, NV

Academic Highlights:  UNLV allows undergraduates to choose from 76 majors and 70 minors, all with an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. In total, 43% of course sections take place in a smaller setting capped at 19 students. The academic area attracting the most attention is business (23%), although psychology (9%), health professions and related programs (8%), the social sciences (7%), homeland security & law enforcement (7%), and the visual and performing arts (6%) are also quite popular.

Professional Outcomes:  Remaining in the Las Vegas Area after graduating is the most common move for UNLV alum, but sizable numbers also flock to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Dallas. The companies employing the greatest number of alumni are the Clark County School District, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Amazon, Wynn Las Vegas, the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and Resorts World Las Vegas.

• Enrollment: 25,365
• Cost of Attendance: $26,591 (In-State); $47,351 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1120
• Median ACT: 21
• Retention Rate: 77%
• Graduation Rate: 47%

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Thesis Helpers

Find the best tips and advice to improve your writing. Or, have a top expert write your paper.

110 Fantastic Graphic Design Thesis Ideas To Succeed

Graphic Design is an art where professionals plan and practice creating visual and textual content to deliver messages. In today’s world, it’s the most innovative and most effective way for businesses to connect with their consumers.

Graphic design has many forms, from a simple business logo to a complex page layout on a website. The magazine covers, posters, logos, business cards, websites, and mobile apps are only a few examples of what graphic design businesses can deliver as their concept to their clients and audience. A good graphic designer should know how to attract people by displaying innovative and appealing content. Hence, it’s crucial to master the ways to express ideas creatively.

Why Is Graphic Design Thesis Important for Students?

Creating an excellent thesis using some unique and intricate graphic design research topics is essential to have a successful career in this field. Also, it’s crucial to do graphic design research to wow potential employers for good prospects. The thesis paper is the gist of what you have learned for your bachelor’s degree in university life; therefore, it’s vital to showcase creative thinking and impressive skills. There are tons of thesis ideas for graphic design that allow the students to be creative and show their full potential. To help you ace your graphic design research paper, we will be discussing every step of creating the thesis in detail.

Creating A Winning Thesis Proposal for Graphic Design

For the best graphic designing thesis project, students should have strong writing skills and complete knowledge of visual design principles. Moreover, students should know the advanced application of the skills they have learned. Furthermore, choosing the topic according to your grade in school, college or university is essential. Senior students can choose a thesis topic from the several graphic design senior thesis topics available online. Sometimes people attend workshops to learn the art of creating an impressive graphic design research paper. We have simplified the thesis writing process for students who are not keen to participate in workshops. People who have some knowledge may also benefit from the blog as it provides simple tips that you can follow to get started. Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing and writing you graphic design dissertation:

• Have a catchy introduction. A perfect intro will create a good impression and would encourage the reader to read on. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a passionate topic as anything written with heart can easily catch the reader’s attention. Unleash your artistic side to express yourself eloquently. It’s better to start with a short introduction. Keep it brief so that you can capture the reader’s attention.
• Create a strong problem Statement. Knowing the background of the problem or the topic you are dealing with allows you to create a convincing problem statement. In this part of the thesis, you will highlight your research question around the cause of your research. You should write a page-long description of evaluating various options and choose the most suitable one. This part of the graphic design research doesn’t have to be elaborate.
• Include an Aim and Objectives of the Study section. Use this part of the thesis to provide reasons why the chosen topic is significant. Let the reader know about your intent behind the research. These are the outcomes that you hope to achieve from your project. Also, use this part of the graphic design writing to display the objectives behind your research. The reader should have all the answers to why you want to address the highlighted graphic design issues.
• Describe the method you use. In this section of your thesis, describe the methodology you will use to attain your goal. You should highlight all the methods available, compare them and select the most viable option. You can add details about the software, print media, or any other media platform you have used to complete your graphic design writing.
• Prepare a literature review. Creating a literature review is an integral part of the project as it contains details of the type of research you carried out and how you conducted them. Also, it provides a theoretical framework for your dissertation, giving the reader an insight into where you started, the ideas you chose, and where the concepts have brought you.
• Highlight the key ideas, scope, and limitations of the study. Coming towards the end of your research, you should specify the critical objectives attained from the project. Also, the project’s scope should identify the advanced uses and the limitation of the concept discussed in the thesis. Keep your content original and take as much thesis help you need from the sources available for an outstanding dissertation.

Graphic Design Thesis Topics

According to your interest, there are many topics you can look for on the internet for your graphic design thesis topic. We have researched to compile the 110 most interesting graphic design research paper topics; you are sure to find the best one for your thesis. From environment enthusiast to an art school student, our diverse topics will help you find the best topic for your thesis.

Best Graphic Design Thesis Topics

• Uses Of Graphic Design To Create Environmental Awareness
• Current And Future Trends In The Commonly Used Software For Graphic Designs
• Design And Culture Expectations
• Enhancing Understanding Through Visual Imaging
• The New Graphic And Media Designs
• The Fall Of Desktop Publishing
• Development Of Web Animation.How The Internet Shaped Animation Content
• The Evolution Of Newspaper Ads In The Technological Era
• Role Of Personality In Arts
• Set Creation In The Film Industry Using Graphic Design
• Theme Design For Restaurants
• Elements Of Persuasion And Graphic Design
• Commercial Design: Dealing With The Clients To Facilitate Feedback
• Organisationational Branding And Websites.
• Role Of Visual Hierarchy To Create Customer Perception Of E-Commerce Stores
• Art Directors: Transformational Heads
• How Graphic Designs Are Used In The Making Of Directories
• Role Of Graphic Design In The Evolution Of Modern Cinema
• Creating A Colorful Classroom
• Typeset: Principles And Techniques
• How Color Theory Effects Graphic Design
• How To Smartly Use Space In Design Esthetics
• Effect Of Organizational Branding And Logos On Sales
• Use Of Graphic Design For Social Commentary And Street Art
• Use Of Graphic Design For Movie Festival Promotion
• Newspaper Ads And Graphic Design. How They Mold Consumer Buying Behavior
• Graphic Designing Tools And How The Industry They Have Impacted The Industry
• How Does Color Psychology Trigger Emotions? A Case Study On Baker-Miller Pink

Top Graphic Design Thesis Ideas

• A Case Study On Renowned Graphic Designers Of The Time
• Influence Of Tv On Graphic Design
• Role Of Computers In The Evolution Of Graphic Design
• How Graphic Design Is Used In Game Interfaces To Attract Consumers
• Importance Of Balance In Creating Impressive Visuals. A Graphic Design Basic
• Conventional Designing Software Vs. Online Graphic Designing Tools. Which Is More Convenient?
• How Does Visual Heuristics Help In Segmenting The Viewer’s Attention?
• Use Of Graphic Design For Political Satire
• How Brands Use Negative Spacing To Affect The Subconscious Minds Of Consumers
• Role Of Web Graphics In Creating Visitor’s Trust
• Defining Consumer Perceptions To Web Designs
• Theories Of Graphic Design. Application And Importance In The Design Industry
• Human Psychological Connections And Color Selection
• How Online Gaming Trends Have Changed
• Impact Of Theory Of Repetition On Consumer Buying Behavior
• Multimedia Design And How It Has Changed The World Around Us
• Importance Of Graphic Design To Generate Sales For Online Service Providers
• Evolution Of Digital Art Over The Years
• Graphic Design In The 20th Century
• Advertisement And The Subliminal Messages
• Use Of Powerpoint Presentations To Create Amazing Designs
• Graphic Design Trends In The 21st Century

Excellent Thesis Ideas for Graphic Design

• Propaganda Posters: Political Messages
• How Email Marketing Has Changed
• Development Of Career Paths In Graphic Design
• Essentials Of Business Branding
• How Graphic Design Revolutionized Product Packaging
• Redesigning A Book Cover
• Growth Of Graphic Design Over The Years
• Evolution Of Vehicle Wraps Using Graphic Design
• Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Investing In A Graphic Designer
• Analyzing The Role Of Colors In Graphic Design
• Trade Show Displays And Signage To Create Attention
• Analyzing Various Techniques Used By Graphic Designers
• Use Of Graphic Design To Create Infographics
• Exploring How Service Design Impacts Visual Information
• Studying The Application Of Graphic Design In Advanced Technology
• How Does The Use Of Warm Colors Help Viewers Connect With Your Facebook Posts
• A Case Study On Consumer Psychology-Difference Between Warm And Cool Colors
• Use Of Graphic Design To Create Images For Blogs
• Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Graphic Design
• Photo Collages And Their Importance For Youngsters
• Evaluating The Value Of The Visual Design Structure

Interesting Graphic Design Research Topics

• Impact Of Artistic Sensibility In Graphic Design
• How Banners To Aid In Conveying Messages
• Analyzing Average Budget For Graphic Design Projects
• Importance Of Graphic Design Education Across Borders
• Impact Of Appealing Products On Consumer Choices
• Retargeting Ads To Reach Out To The Target Market More Efficiently
• Perspectives Of People On Visual Communication Design Education
• Learning How To Apply The Theory To The Graphic Design Course
• Analyzing The Trends In Graphic Design During The Past Decade
• Graphic Novel-A Literature Review
• Business Cards. An Essential For Businesses
• Relationship Between Pop Culture And Graphic Design
• Recognizing The Qualities Of A Professional Graphic Designer
• Using Secondary Research To Explore The Various Features Of Web Design
• Creative Coloring Books For Kids
• Outcomes And Impact Of Graphic Design On The Consumer Market For The Top Brands Of The Country
• Reinterpretation Of A Classic Book Cover
• How Does The Design Language Trigger Brand Retention In The Minds Of Customers
• Use Of Animation To Create Beautiful Postcards
• 10-Minute Projects That Will Amaze You

Graphic Design Senior Thesis Topics

• Use Of Graphic Design To Create A Plant Identifying App
• Flat Logo Designs V/S Gradient Logo Designs. A Case Study On The Automobile Industry
• Use Of Computer Graphics And Advertisement To Change Consumer Behavior
• Effect Of Contrast Colors To Drive Consumer Buying Behavior
• Passion Project: Following Your Dream
• How Businesses Use Brochures To Attract Sales
• Use Of Print Media And Advertisements To Change Consumer Buying Behavior
• Logos. Essential For A Business Image
• How Clothing Brands Use Graphic Design To Create Designs
• 20th Century Evolution Of Computer Graphics
• A Case Study On Computer Graphic Designers
• Impact Of Using Filters In Videos To Gain Customer Attention And Sales
• Use Of Psychological Triggers In Graphic Design To Create Customer Loyalty
• Effect Of Limited Financial Plan On Graphics
• Commercial Distinctiveness And Graphic Design
• A Case Study On The Top Marketing Agencies Of The Country
• A Case Study On Apple. How It Molds Consumer Buying Behavior
• How Does The Consumer Remember Your Brand? A Case Study On Louis Vuitton
• Impact Of Design To Create Sales For E-Commerce Stores

Is Your Graphic Design Thesis Due Soon?

When you start your thesis, you may encounter various graphic design issues, but keep your eyes on the master’s degree and keep working hard. You can also hire low-cost native writers for your project plan by googling “Do my research for graphic design thesis.” These professionals will provide complete research for your thesis topic, as well as high-quality content, and will also proofread your thesis when you are done. Moreover, writing professionals offer reliable services, so you don’t have to worry that your thesis idea will get stolen or hacked.

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Graphic design class contributes to local history

As they complete their spring semester, students in Christina Singer’s Design Research class have published the sixth digital book to emerge from the Department of Art and Art History’s graphic design program since Singer joined the department in 2021. 

CLT Graphic Design History: A Collective Research Effort, Vol. 6  is a presentation of logos, postcards, ads and more that Singer’s 18 students have collected and analyzed — visual artifacts of the city’s culture.

Discovered in the archives at Atkins Library, on current and historic websites, and even along Charlotte’s busy corridors, the graphic materials chosen by the students have been added to the  People’s Graphic Design Archive , an international crowd-sourced virtual repository for design materials, which launched in 2020. Since Singer began teaching at UNC Charlotte, her students have contributed nearly 200 design artifacts and descriptions to the PGDA.

“The PGDA was founded by graphic design professors and historians to democratize design history,” Singer said. “There’s a need for expanding the canon, for asking, ‘what is the canon of design history?’”

Students did a variety of exercises learning to “interrogate an artifact,” Singer said, and they visited Special Collections in Atkins Library for sessions with an archivist.

Like many of the students, senior graphic design major Hannah Alvarado chose items that had a personal connection. As a four-year-old, Alvarado attended the Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, so she decided to do a comparative study of the school’s original and current logos.

“The first logo used very traditional imagery,” she said. “A red school, children focused.” The new branding, she pointed out, has a mosaic pattern like Latin American tiles, and in its abstraction has a broader connotation, reflecting an expansion of the organization’s mission.

Takenvia Jones said she made choices based on “what I wanted to represent” – work by a Black designer, something related to UNC Charlotte, and “something fun.” Her first two artifacts were from newspapers: The Charlotte Post, an African American newspaper founded in 1878, and the Charlotte Observer.

“As a Black designer, I really wanted to provide representation for myself and others. I think it is important to know design history especially as it pertains to identity because for me, I had not really seen Black graphic designers represented in Charlotte.”

The material from the Charlotte Observer, a special souvenir pullout section, documented the UNC Charlotte basketball team’s journey to the finals of the National Invitational Tournament in 1976.

“I chose this because it had a connection to the school, but it also gave me an opportunity to speak on the design of the paper as a whole and speak a little on the history of the school mascot, which I found very interesting,” Jones said.

Alvarado said the class “has changed the way I view graphic design. I’ve learned a lot more about the diverse perspectives of graphic design.”

She and Jones have both been impressed, they said, by the breadth of what constitutes design and its prevalence in society.

“Looking at everything that has been documented in the People's Graphic Design Archive and what my peers have included in the book, graphic design can be anything from a postcard to a playbill, or a sign to a restaurant, but it can also be a lot more,” said Jones. “Graphic design is seen everywhere and is interconnected with our everyday lives.”

For that very reason, said Singer, designers have a responsibility to be thoughtful about their work.

“We as designers have the privilege of creating culture through what we design.”

Inside UNC Charlotte is produced and maintained by the Office of University Communications. Faculty and staff members can submit news or story/video ideas for consideration via the online form or email  [email protected] .

Associate Dean Remembered for Personal and Professional Impact at MSU and Beyond  

• Post published: May 3, 2024

The College of Arts & Letters is mourning the loss of Bill Hart-Davidson, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures (WRAC) . Hart-Davidson, who was beloved both personally and professionally across the College and Michigan State University, passed away suddenly on April 23, 2024. He was 53 years old.  

A renowned scholar, teacher, and administrator, Hart-Davidson has been described as visionary, generous, brilliant, innovative, empathetic, selfless, and a collaborative leader whose reach was expansive. This year was his 20 th year with the College of Arts & Letters and Michigan State University.

“Bill was a brilliant scholar, an imaginative administrator, and a beloved friend, father, and partner. To lose him at the height of his creativity and influence is devastating,” said Christopher P. Long, Dean of the College of Arts & Letters and the Honors College. “His generous spirit and the wisdom of his work will endure in the lives of all of us who had the privilege to know him.”  

Since 2017, Hart-Davidson had served as Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies where he oversaw all activities associated with research and graduate education in the College of Arts & Letters. In this role, he developed a strategy and support network for faculty that increased grant-funded research proposals and awards in the College.  

“When I first met Bill, he exuberantly told me that the Associate Dean job was what he had always wanted as he could share his vast strategic research and grant knowledge with students and colleagues to help them flourish,” said Sonja Fritzsche, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Administration and Professor of German Studies. “In the gift of the seven years that we worked together in the College, he touched thousands of lives here at MSU and across the country through his many 1-1 meetings, guest lectures, and instructional videos. It is now only in his profound absence that this enduring influence is truly felt. That he is missed does not begin to describe this loss.”  

Together with Dean Long and Associate Dean Fritzsche, Hart-Davidson helped develop and lead the Charting Pathways of Intellectual Leadership initiative in the College of Arts & Letters , an initiative that was first created to address the disconnect felt by faculty who found the traditional categories of research, teaching, and service pulled them away from a more holistic and meaningful approach to their work. The framework shifts the lens to the more inclusive categories of sharing knowledge, expanding opportunities, mentorship and stewardship designed to expand our understanding of what is valuable university work and empower staff and faculty to put their values into intentional practice.  

Hart-Davidson was an ongoing champion for graduate students, supporting their scholarship and research. Prior to his role as Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, he served as Associate Dean for Graduate Education for the College for three and a half years and was the Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies for WRAC and helped build the WRAC graduate program, which he led for years.     “Bill was an amazing, incredible person,” said Dànielle DeVoss, Chairperson of WRAC. “He worked tirelessly and usually behind the scenes to build community, to ensure resources were available to grad students, to champion people as whole people, to recognize all staff and faculty in their roles in supporting student success, to shine the spotlight on faculty research and creative activities, and so much more.”  

Hart-Davidson was a co-founder and Senior Researcher in the Writing, Information, and Digital Experience (WIDE) Research Center connected with WRAC and Digital Humanities at MSU. Some of his teaching and research areas included writing and technology, human-computer interactions, and user experience design. He also helped launch the Experience Architecture major in 2015, which is shared between the Department of Art, Art History, and Design and WRAC.  

More recently, Hart-Davidson’s research explored the challenges and opportunities with generative artificial intelligence models and the impact on language and writing. He shared this work in a 2023 Ask the Expert article and video and in many presentations at MSU and other universities nationwide. Just last month, he delivered the in-person keynote address at the Global Digital Humanities Symposium at MSU in which he discussed generative AI and the near future of writing technologies.   

Hart-Davidson was a co-investigator on a $3.75 million National Institutes of Health grant studying ways to help decrease cardiovascular disease risk for minority and low-income populations with diabetes by improving patient interaction and communication. He also was a co-investigator on a $48,000 Council of Graduate Schools and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Award in 2021 to pilot a program customizing learning experiences and career pathways for doctoral students in the humanities.  

Hart-Davidson co-founded Eli Review in 2007 with colleagues Jeff Grabill and Mike McLeod when they were faculty members in the then Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures. This online peer review platform is dedicated to helping writers in any discipline become better writers through a write, review, and revise process. Initially used at MSU, Eli Review’s three founders worked with Spartan Innovations, the MSU Research Foundation’s venture creation entity, to set up Eli’s parent company Drawbridge in 2012 to make the software commercially available and to expand its learning and research tools. Eli Review is now used worldwide by tens of thousands of students and teachers every day to promote critical thinking and better writing.      Hart-Davidson also was part of the research team that developed the Faciloscope app, which provides rapid, real-time analysis of online conversations as they develop, giving moderators the tools they need to keep conversations moving along in a productive way or the insight to know when a conversation is not worth continuing.    

Hart-Davidson co-edited two books, Rhet Ops: Rhetoric and Information Warfare (2023) and Rhetoric and the Digital Humanities (2015), with co-editor Jim Ridolfo. He also published over 100 articles and books chapters that have been cited over 1,700 times.    

In recognition of his comprehensive and sustained record of scholarly excellence in research, instruction, and outreach, Hart-Davidson was awarded in 2023 the William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award , one of MSU’s highest honors. He also was named a Fellow of the Association of Teachers of Technical Writing in 2016 for his career contributions and leadership in technical communication.    

“A transformative leader in the field of Rhetoric and Writing, a gifted researcher, an inventor and innovator, Bill saw potential in each person,” said Mary Beth Heeder, Sr. Consultant and Project Manager and Co-Coordinator of the Arts and Humanities Health and Wellbeing Minor that’s currently in development. “He saw possibility and made Michigan State University and our world a better place.”  

Hart-Davidson’s influence can be seen in the many students and colleagues he mentored who share stories of his kindness, support, and encouragement.  

“What Bill taught me was the ways your relationships and networks with people and institutions can really make a difference in the day-to-day lives of people,” said Kristin Arola, Associate Professor in WRAC, Gillmor Endowed Professor in Professional and Public Writing, and Director of the American Indian and Indigenous Studies program. “He was a mentor to so many people because he just was so present and open and excited for whatever you were into. And his answer was never ‘no’ to anything, it was ‘let’s talk about how we could do that,’ which I think was a beautiful thing about him.”    

Hart-Davidson earned his Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition from Purdue University. He also received an M.A. in Writing and Rhetoric and a B.S. in Education, both from Bowling Green State University. In addition to his academic accolades, he was an avid runner, cyclist, and musician who played bass in the local Blue Jazz Working Group band.  

The College of Arts & Letters wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to Hart-Davidson’s wife, Leslie, and daughter, Lilian. Hart-Davidson’s obituary can be viewed on the Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes website .  

Memorial Tributes

In honor of Hart-Davidson, an “Ohio Buckeye” tree will be planted at the MSU Sacred Space, west of Linton Hall. Hart-Davidson cherished his Ohio family roots. This living memorial will stand as a lasting homage to his legacy and his profound love for Michigan State University. A tree planting and dedication ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 3, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

A Celebration of Life also is planned for Friday, May 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Broad Art Museum. The service will be officiated by Professor Kirk Domer and there will be time for guests to share their memories of Hart-Davidson. Following the Celebration of Life Service, a reception, with food and refreshments, is planned for 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Horticultural Gardens of MSU (1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing).    

Also, in honor of Hart-Davidson, the William Hart-Davidson Endowed Scholarship has been established, which will further cement his enduring impact on the academic community. Contributions to this scholarship can be made by visiting the Online Giving page for the William Hart-Davidson Endowed Scholarship .

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