What can you do with a Graphic Design degree from Rhode Island School of Design?

First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Rhode Island School of Design we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 93%, Graphic Design graduates from Rhode Island School of Design have a substantially higher likelihood (+26%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 93%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 16% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Graphic Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Graphic Design graduate from Rhode Island School of Design and our analysis:


Relevance score: 82%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Intern
Baron & Baron
Jun 2022 - Oct 2022
The intern position at Baron & Baron does not require graphic design skills as a core qualification, and instead appears to be focused on general tasks that do not specifically utilize design expertise.

Graphic Designer
Wieden + Kennedy
Jan 2023 - Present
The role of a graphic designer at Wieden + Kennedy directly utilizes the graphic design skills acquired from a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, necessitating a strong command of design principles and techniques on a daily basis.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Graphic Design degree from Rhode Island School of Design?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Looking at the career paths of graduates from the Rhode Island School of Design with degrees in Graphic Design, it’s clear that many have landed jobs that strongly relate to their field. A significant number have taken up roles like Graphic Designer, Senior Designer, and Product Designer, which directly apply the skills and principles learned during their studies. Positions such as Motion Designer, Art Director, and Design Director showcase a continued trend of taking foundational graphic design knowledge into increasingly senior roles. Freelancing also appears to be a common path, allowing graduates to apply their skills independently and creatively, which can be a perfect fit for those who prefer flexibility and variety in their work.

Generally, these roles are highly relevant to graphic design. Most of the jobs directly utilize the skills and knowledge obtained in their Bachelor's program, demonstrating that their education provided a solid foundation for real-world applications. However, there are a few instances where the relevance becomes a bit murky, like in roles that emphasize broader responsibilities or focus on areas like product design without deep-rooted graphic design principles. But overall, if you’re looking to see how a degree in Graphic Design from RISD stacks up in the job market, the evidence shows that graduates tend to find rewarding positions closely aligned with their training.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Graphic Design graduates (this is across all Graphic Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Rhode Island School of Design):

What kind of career trajectories do Graphic Design graduates from Rhode Island School of Design have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

The career trajectories of graduates from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) who studied Graphic Design show a pretty promising picture! Right out of college, many of them land internships or entry-level positions in creative agencies and studios. It's not uncommon to see recent grads taking on roles like graphic designer or design intern, which help them gain valuable experience and build a portfolio. This pattern is evident across various graduating years; for instance, those graduating around 2011 began as interns and progressed to positions like Senior Digital Designer and Product Designer within five years.

As time goes on, about five to ten years after graduation, these graduates often find themselves in more senior roles like Art Director, Design Director, or even being involved in high-profile projects with significant companies like Google or Calvin Klein. While there are a few exceptions and some may drift toward freelance work or less conventional roles, the overall trend indicates that many RISD Graphic Design alumni are successfully utilizing their degrees in relevant and rewarding careers. So, if you're considering graphic design at RISD, the future looks bright in terms of career opportunities!

How hard is a Graphic Design degree from Rhode Island School of Design?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at a place like the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is definitely a challenging journey. It’s not just your average degree; you’re diving into a creative and technical skillset that requires a lot of hard work, late nights, and a good dose of passion. You’ll be juggling studio classes, projects, critiques, and developing your unique style, all while mastering design software and principles. It's intense and can be stressful, but if you're really into design and enjoy pushing your creative limits, it can also be super rewarding. So, if you’re thinking about it, be prepared to put in the effort—it’s definitely on the harder side compared to many other degrees!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.

Do Graphic Design graduates from Rhode Island School of Design tend to make good money?

So, looking at these RISD grads and their career paths, it seems like they’ve mostly landed pretty solid gigs, especially the ones with a few years of experience under their belts. The earlier graduates moved up the ladder quite nicely into roles like Design Director and Staff Product Designer, which usually hints at decent salaries. Younger grads seem to be starting off in internships or freelance gigs, which isn’t uncommon—they're just getting the ball rolling. Overall, while some are still climbing the ladder and may not be making a ton yet, it seems like the potential for good money is definitely there, especially given the growing demand for design roles in major companies like Google and Calvin Klein. So, yeah, looks like a solid investment if you’ve got the talent!

What buzzwords do Graphic Design graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design (this is across all Graphic Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Rhode Island School of Design). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Graphic Design?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Graphic Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
ArtCenter College of Design 97 10
Florida Atlantic University 95 11
Rhode Island School of Design 93 12
Brigham Young University 92 10
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 90 14
Massachusetts College of Art and Design 90 10
University of Houston 89 14
Kendall College of Art and Design 87 15
Auburn University 85 11
George Mason University 85 18
Savannah College of Art and Design 85 47
California State University-Sacramento 83 13
Iowa State University 82 16
Louisiana State University 82 13
San Diego State University 82 17
Liberty University 81 21
Drexel University 81 13
School of Visual Arts 81 18
Illinois State University 79 15
Utah Valley University 78 10
University of Central Florida 77 10
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 77 12
Towson University 76 15
Portland State University 76 18
Kean University 76 12
Saginaw Valley State University 76 11
California State University-Long Beach 75 14
Colorado State University 74 12
Virginia Commonwealth University 74 10
Art Institute of Pittsburgh 74 11
Pennsylvania College of Technology 72 10
University of Wisconsin-Stout 71 13
The Art Institutes 71 34
James Madison University 70 14
Brigham Young University - Idaho 70 15
Columbia College Chicago 69 18
State University of New York College at Oswego 69 10
Pensacola Christian College 69 11
San Jose State University 68 17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 68 10
University of Massachusetts Lowell 63 18
Queens College 62 21
Oakland University 59 10
Southern New Hampshire University 50 16
Full Sail University 50 47
Georgia Southern University 50 10