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MIAD design and illustration majors among top programs nationally and regionally

MIAD is proud to be recognized among the top in Wisconsin and the country for its design and illustration programs. Over the past year, MIAD has been ranked among the best as follows:

#1 Graphic Design School in Wisconsin

Communication Design Senior Thesis 2021

Work by Jordan Henningfield ’21 (Communication Design)

Awarded by: Animation Career Review’s “2021 Graphic Design School Rankings”
About the recognition: Animation Career Review considered more than 700 U.S. schools with graphic design programs for its Seventh Annual “2021 Graphic Design School Rankings.” Criteria included academic reputation, admission selectivity, depth and breadth of the program faculty, value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness and employment data. On this list, MIAD also ranks in the Top 50 nationally among private schools and colleges (#29, top 8% of schools considered) and Top 25 in the Midwest (#19, top 8% of schools considered). Learn more about MIAD’s Communication Design major.

#1 Illustration School in Wisconsin

Illustration senior thesis 2021

Work by Miguel Angel Delgadillo ’21 (Illustration)

Awarded by: Animation Career Review’s “2021 Illustration School Rankings”
About the recognition: Animation Career Review considered more than 140 U.S. schools with illustration programs for its Third Annual “2021 Illustration School Rankings.” Criteria included academic reputation, admission selectivity, depth and breadth of the program faculty, value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, graduation rate, geographic location and employment data. On this list, MIAD also ranks in the Top 50 nationally (#28, top 20% of schools considered) and Top 10 in the Midwest (#7). Learn more about MIAD’s Illustration major.

#1 Visual Arts School in Wisconsin

Awarded by: Intelligent.com’s “Best Colleges in Wisconsin”
About the recognition: Intelligent.com analyzed the best colleges in Wisconsin, including large public research universities, midsized private schools and smaller-sized liberal arts colleges. Criteria included tuition value, credits required to graduate and whether coursework was offered in-person, online or both.

Top Graphic Design School

Awarded by: Graphic Design USA (GDUSA)
About the recognition: For the sixth consecutive year, MIAD makes GDUSA’s annual list of the top 50 graphic design schools that prepare students to work in professional graphic design. Two MIAD students also were named to GDUSA’s 2021 Students to Watch list.

 

 

 

News

MIAD seniors receive 2026 Alumni Senior Thesis Awards

Thanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the college, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) will award $7,085 to 44 seniors to directly support the fabrication and installation of their senior exhibition capstone projects.

GDUSA selects MIAD Students to Watch 2026

GDUSA selects MIAD Students to Watch 2026
Communication Design senior Olivia Nava ’26 and junior Nola Hennen ’27 were named 2026 Students to Watch by Graphic Design USA magazine (GDUSA).

MIAD student awarded 1st Place at NARI Student Design Competition

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design junior Paul Budnowski ’27 (Interior Architecture and Design) was awarded 1st Place and Crowd Favorite in the Interior Design Portfolio Contest at the 2026 NARI Spring Home Improvement Show. A select group of students from MIAD,...

MIAD Values Recognition Award: Leslie Fedorchuk

Leslie Fedorchuk, Professor of Writing & Humanities and Director of Service Learning, received the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) MIAD Values Recognition Award for February 2026. Leslie received nominations that highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Integrity, Kindness and Community.

MIAD Innovation Center and MAM provide career experience

Through a partnership with the MIAD Lubar Innovation Center, stunning campaign artwork by a student at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) once again is helping to launch Art in Bloom – the Milwaukee Art Museum’s annual celebration of art and spring. Illustrations by senior Emily Porven ’26 are both vibrant and subtle, colorful and evocative, capturing the essence of the event.