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
MIAD Alumni Association Board welcomes new president
The Alumni Association Board at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) welcomes David Szymanski ’13 (Photography) as the new president. Szymanski follows the tenure of Sara Mulloy ’06 (Painting), who served as the previous Alumni Board president.
Practice what we teach: MIAD president exhibits creative vision
In addition to a decade serving as president of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), Jeffrey Morin maintains a thriving artistic practice. Morin founded his studio, sailorBOYpress, to showcase his monotypes, book arts, papermaking and figure drawing works.
MIAD welcomes new Vice President of Academic Affairs
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) is honored to welcome Jodi Eastberg, Ph.D., as Vice President of Academic Affairs, effective August 4.
Meet Sofie Captain and 2025 Senior Exhibition project Then and Now
Meet Fine Art + New Studio Practice alum Sofie Captain and 2025 Senior Exhibition project Then & Now. Captain is from Hartford, Wis.
MIAD student duo publishes issue 2 of Triple magazine
Co-founded by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) students James Kramer ’27 and Lydia Walz ’26, Triple3 Magazine is an independent, Milwaukee‑made arts and culture publication.