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
Museum Studies class: Hands-on exhibition and career experience
Last fall’s Museum Studies class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) has solidified a career choice for at least one of the 16 students who took it. The class was on the go all semester, visiting museums throughout Milwaukee, meeting with professionals and thinking critically about the role of museums in our society.
Jodi Eastberg: MIAD Vice President for Academic Affairs
Meet Jodi Eastberg, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD)! Dr. Eastberg discusses her vision for MIAD, her experience at the college so far, and some welcome surprises about working in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward neighborhood.
Haggerty Museum of Art features work by MIAD Fine Art professor
A towering column of life-size red-crowned cranes molded out of mulberry pulp has visitors to the Haggerty Museum of Art craning their necks to take in the sculpture. Work by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Professor Jason S. Yi is featured as part of the Haggerty Museum’s exhibition “This Side of the Stars: Rauschenberg’s “Stoned Moon” in the Company of Kite, Paglen, and Yi.”
MIAD Future Creatives supports high school students and educators
Digital design students at Franklin High School say their class project through the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s Future Creatives program provided new skills in teamwork while increasing their awareness of career pathways in design.
MIAD professor, alum named 2026 Mary L. Nohl Fellows
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Communication Design professor Laura Farahzad Mayer and alum Nomka Enkhee ’25 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) each received one of five Mary L. Nohl Fellowships for 2026. The recipients of emerging artist awards, Farahzad Mayer and Enkhee were selected from among 168 applicants.