While being a student has its challenges, including sleepless nights, critiques that end in tears, and never-ending group projects, applying and getting into design school can easily be more exhausting than once you're accepted.
Not only is it daunting to fill out applications, get your portfolio and resume in order, obtain references, and apply for scholarships, but you need to find the perfect fit in a school.
Today we've tried to make the process a bit easier and have listed our top six packaging design schools, crowdsourced from our Instagram followers and our editorial staff. They each offer distinct approaches and programs that will help develop skill sets through creative thinking and innovative strategies. One of the most wonderful aspects of entering the packaging design space right now is the focus on sustainable design. While you must have a desire to learn and discover new skills, being part of a packaging design program will push your creative limits and truly expand your horizons. Being a student can lead to ongoing late-night assignments and plenty of tired mornings, but the constant inspiration and enriching projects make being a creative worth it all (minus the student loan debt).
1.Elisava
Elisava is a Barcelona-based design school affiliated with Pompeu Fabra University, with over 2,000 students and 800 teachers. The school offers a Master in Packaging Design that helps designers learn to formally and graphically communicate a product's attributes through design. To be accepted into the program, you must have an official university degree equivalent in graphic design, product design, or product engineering.
The Master in Packaging Design at Elisava focuses on graphic design and structural packaging design based on form and communication. It offers a unique opportunity to work alongside the most recognized packaging designers in each field and learn their strategies. For more information, check out Elisava's website.
The Fashion Institute of Technology, often called FIT, is recognized for its focus on fashion-related business and design programs. Yet, the New York-based public college also offers a Packaging Design BFA where students can learn critical thinking skills needed for brand and design strategy. The curriculum for this program includes topics ranging from branding and design strategy to sustainability and brand activation. Beyond the classes that are a part of the program, students must participate in an internship to gain real-life experiences and hands-on opportunities.
To be eligible to apply to the Packaging Design BFA, you will need a Communication Design Foundation AAS degree or the equivalent. Learn more about the program on FIT’s website.
Savannah College of Art and Design is a well-loved university for creative careers. Notably, the institute offers a Package Design minor that helps students learn to devise innovative three-dimensional packages and develop realistic models and prototypes for their design solutions.
The minor consists of twenty-five hours, including courses like Introduction to Graphic Design, Computer-aided Product Design, and Type and Image for Illustrators. It's important to note that this is just a minor, so if package design isn't your primary interest or you want to supplement your studies with another type of creative learning, SCAD's program might be a great fit.
Learn more about the minor on SCAD's website.
Based in New York City, the SVA packaging design classes are a part of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design program.
This program is ideal for students that want to go into a creative field but maybe aren't 100% sure of a direction yet. The program starts with the first year of arts-based and fundamental classes. Depending on your track, these courses include Writing and Thinking, Principles of Visual Language, Drawing I, and countless others. As students progress, packaging-based classes become available within the program's third year. This is a Fine Arts-based program, so students will have a more well-rounded approach with package design education sprinkled throughout. Learn more on SVA’s Website.
At ArtCenter, there are packaging design classes students can take as part of the graphic design curriculum. And, if you decide to focus on branding and packaging, you're required to take all three packaging courses offered. These courses include Package Design 1: Design Principles, Package Design 2, and Packaging 3.
This program is ideal for students who want a wide array of classes, as the program focuses on craft, skill, leadership, and strategic thought across all media with a goal of practical professional improvement and creative vision.
Full disclosure alert, the program includes just a smidge of bias as our very own Jessica Deseo and Andrew Gibbs teach the Packaging 2 course. Learn more about the program on Art Center’s website.
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