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MIAD ranked #1 Graphic Design School in Wisconsin by Animation Career Review

In its 2023 rankings, Animation Career Review named MIAD the #1 Graphic Design School in Wisconsin and in the top 7% of design schools in the Midwest. The college’s Animation and Illustration programs also received top rankings.

Animation Career Review evaluates the academic reputation, employment data, depth and breadth of program faculty, tuition value, and graduation and retention rates both of independent colleges like MIAD and of public universities.

Catherine Currie, Communication Design ’23, illuminates the program’s and MIAD’s student excellence. She will join Nike for a summer internship, winning over 1,500 graphic design candidates from across the country to be the only graphic design intern at the company. She was previously awarded the prestigious Type Directors Club National Scholarship and has gained national recognition for her typography.

“[MIAD] does a really nice job of prioritizing their students and creating a relationship with their students,” says Currie. “Being here I really built a foundation of trust and a network of professionals that I can rely on for the rest of my life.” Click here to hear about Currie’s internship and projects.

MIAD’s Communication Design program prepares students for print and digital work that informs and educates in new ways, always through the lens of the end user, and through partnerships and internships in Milwaukee and beyond. In today’s global economy, alumni fill important positions at established advertising agencies, design firms and major corporations, with many leading their own creative businesses.

In addition to the rankings in Animation Career Review, MIAD has been named a previous Top Design School by Graphic Design USA.

Learn more about MIAD’s Communication Design program and alumni success.

News

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 Cerdea ’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.

Sebastian Penn: Senior Exhibition 2025

Sebastian Penn ’25 (Animation Track in Illustration), “From Home to Legacy: Black and Queer Bars in Milwaukee.” Sebastian is a President’s (Honor) List student from Holman, Wis.

McKenna Martin: Senior Exhibition 2025

McKenna Martin ’25 (Product Design), “Hyacinth.” McKenna received first place for her design for the 2023 Delta design project/competition at MIAD, is on the Dean’s List and is from Fond du Lac, Wis.