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

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

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
Students celebrate professional growth at 2024 First-Year Exhibition
An annual tradition at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design from late March through September, the juried First-Year Experience Exhibition celebrates students’ yearlong personal and professional growth.
Ice cream social meets fine art networking at Cone-ections
Through the Intro to Arts Management course at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), five students collaborated to plan a successful artist networking event via ice cream social. Milwaukee-area artists and MIAD alumni visited campus to connect with students and enjoy a cone!
La Mère Brazier: Phoebe Nelson Senior Exhibition 2025
Phoebe Nelson ’25 (Illustration) came to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to study children’s book illustration. Now at the end of her senior year, she is writing and illustrating a children’s book about Eugénie Brazier, the first person to get six Michelin stars, for her Senior Exhibition project.
MIAD Independent Inquiry Program launches with three student grants
Galilea Cerda ’26, Tina Voith ’26 and Madi Weglarz ’25 are the first three Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students selected to receive Independent Inquiry Program stipends to investigate new technologies and their applicability to art and design education. As first-time applicants, each receives a stipend of $1,200 for a six-week Mini Inquiry this summer.
Grilled Cheese grants propel MIAD seniors
Funds from the annual Grilled Cheese Grant helped Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) awardees Siren Harris, Yo Yo collective and Madi Weglarz complete their 2025 Senior Exhibition projects and future work. All the MIAD awardees are Fine Art + New Studio Practice seniors.