RIT design programs ranked among the world’s best

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A. Sue Weisler

Several of RIT’s design programs are among the world’s best, according to an independent online ranking authority that gives the university high marks for creative teaching methods and positioning students to succeed post-graduation.

Several of Rochester Institute of Technology’s design programs are among the world’s best, according to an independent online ranking authority that gives the university high marks for creative teaching methods and positioning students to succeed post-graduation.

The 2015-16 DesignSchoolsHub rankings recognize four of RIT’s design programs along with the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences:

• No. 1 internationally for jewelry design, offered by the School for American Crafts (SAC)
• Fourth for furniture design, also offered by SAC
• Fourth in video game design, offered by the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
• Ninth for industrial design, offered by the School of Design

In addition, RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences (CIAS) was ranked eighth among “New York City area” design schools.

“These programs regularly graduate designers who are not only highly talented, they demonstrate to companies that they are ready to meet their demanding requirements,” said Lorraine Justice, dean of CIAS. “RIT’s faculty and staff work extremely hard in responding to the needs of our students, which these latest rankings certainly recognize.”

In ranking RIT’s jewelry design program as the top program internationally, DesignSchoolsHub wrote that “the school is internationally recognized with a learning environment that focuses on both the concepts and practical techniques of metalsmithing and design.”

In addition to recognizing RIT’s jewelry design program for giving students the opportunity to study 3D design and concept drawing, “the school maintains close connections with industry and creative leaders” to provide students with valuable insights into studio management, gallery relations, professional practices and more, it writes.

CIAS offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in metals and jewelry design.

In ranking RIT fourth internationally for furniture design, DesignSchoolsHub cited the program’s “detailed curriculum and strong foundation.”

“Students undertaking a furniture design course at RIT get the added benefit of learning about the processes of developing a concept, drawing, business practices and so many other fields,” the rankings stated.

RIT’s game design and development program was recognized for its “broad-based education in computing and the processes involved in developing video games.” RIT has been a pioneer in the field of video game design and development education. Gaming students work with RIT's Center for Media, Arts, Games, Interaction and Creativity (MAGIC), an on-campus research laboratory and production studio that helps students bring ideas from prototype to commercial production in the marketplace. Graduates of RIT’s game design and development programs have gone on to work at companies including Microsoft, Sony PlayStation, Zynga, Arkadium and Google.

RIT’s Bachelor of Science in game design and development provides an undergraduate education in computing while exposing students to the breadth of game development processes. Students are required to complete coursework in the liberal arts, social sciences and the laboratory sciences.

Students who pursue RIT’s master’s degree in game design and development take a series of core courses in such areas as emerging technologies, electronic entertainment and history of games. Students can focus on game engine development or artificial intelligence for games while supplementing these studies with courses in a variety of other areas. The degree culminates with a capstone project in which students create their own games.

RIT regularly is ranked as one of the top schools in the world to study video game design, according to international rankings from The Princeton Review.

RIT’s industrial design program, ranked ninth, is cited for the outstanding BFA and MFA offered by the university.

“A great school without excessive tuition is found a five hour drive from New York City,” the rankings state. “As seen in its name, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a good choice for those who are interested in the emerging technologies in industrial design.”

The website also recognizes RIT’s industrial design program for its high quality internship and co-op programming.

In ranking RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences No. 8, DesignSchoolsHub cites the college’s reputation for “producing the most career-oriented designers who are well prepared for the industry. In addition to small classes, the school offers “professors who are still working in the industry” and leading technology.

“It blends the art-oriented and technical students to mold them into innovative thinkers,” the rankings state.

DesignSchoolsHub is an independent online authority ranking educational establishments on key metrics to provide students with commentary and emerging trends in the study and practice of design. It also is a source of information for global press, visual and online media. Go to http://www.designschoolshub.com/ for information.

Lorraine Justice