Graphic Design

a monitor with a hand drawing a white spiral on a blue surface, surrounded by multicolored prints

Graphic Design at RISD pushes on the boundaries of the discipline. Here you learn how to communicate ideas visually, play with the tools of the field, frame points of view and messages, build community and embrace a fluid, networked culture. Faculty support you and encourage ambitious ideas along with a mastery of traditional practices.

Degree programs

a student's hand reaches towards a long sheet with many small, square images hangs from a wall, surrounded by other printed works
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

The communications principles and problem-solving strategies you acquire in the Graphic Design BFA provide you the foundation to build an informed, versatile and impactful design practice.

two gallery walls, with a series of black and white images on the left wall, and the words Title, Dates, Statement and Note on the right wall
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

By encouraging you to respond nimbly and creatively to a wide range of communications challenges, the Graphic Design MFA program prepares you to thrive in a constantly changing field.

In the studio

In the studio students learn the fundamental value of typography, imagery, grids, systems and more in the course of creating everything from traditional books, posters, logos and websites to apps, interactive texts and other digital media.

See more at risd.gd
a hand reaches up toward a computer monitor in a dark room, with the monitor displaying color bars and the number 36 repeated many times
several works on paper with variety of text, shapes and digital illustrations in white, blue, black and gold
yellow pieces of paper, each featuring a single black letter, spell out "Collect made public" on a pillar inside a study spaceout "

Student work

Student work by Graphic Design graduate alum Rebecca Wilkinson of a literature display with books and pages splayed in various formats.
Graphic Design student work by Willow Baker of offset black text and numbered images on a white and gray background.
Student work by Graphic Design graduate alum Zoë Pulley of bright banners with political statements.
Student work by Graphic Design graduate alum Georgina Nolan titled Future as Medium using visuals to display yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Graphic Design student work by Joyce Kim of a 3d cubic display projecting images onto a wall with posters.
Graphic Design student work by Sejal Gupta of various books and charts set against a blue and black grid background.

Alumni work

Graphic Design graduates leave RISD prepared to work in many fields—from education to film, television, publishing, retail and more. They follow their own paths, including running design studios, working for large corporations, specializing in web and interactive media, and creating everything from package design to title sequences for film and television.

Explore Graphic Design alumni work

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