The Modern College of Design has again been selected as a top graphic design school in the United States by Graphic Design USA Magazine (GDUSA), a top business-to-business information source for graphic design professionals. This marks the twelfth consecutive year that The Modern has been recognized among the nation’s top graphic design colleges.

Fifty-seven schools were selected, four of which are located in Ohio. Along with The Modern College of Design (Kettering, OH), Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH),The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH), and the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH) were recognized among other top schools from New York, California, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and 20 other states.

“We have students who arrive from all different places and backgrounds, but they are all here for the same reason,” said Matt Flick, senior instructor at The Modern, who has been with the college for 19 years. “They all aspire to be professional designers and make a career out of doing something they are passionate about.”

There is a deep lore associated with the number “12.” We focus our schedules on 12 months in a year and 12 hours on an analog clock. We remember stories of the 12 Labours of Hercules and the 12 knights around King Arthur’s table. Keyboards hold 12 function keys used by computer scientists to help 12 human beings walk our Moon. In design, we measure using 12 inches in a foot and blend the 12 colors of the color wheel to captivate consumers.

Ultimately, the number “12” represents consistency and harmony. While much has changed in 12 years, The Modern prides itself on adaptability without sacrificing consistency.

“The industry is evolving faster than ever,” said Flick. “Our goal is to ensure our curriculum teaches students what the industry demands and expects from them now, not what was relevant ten years ago.”

Baking in industry opportunities, along with classroom experience, helps students at The Modern prepare for the evolving professional realm. Programs like the externship, a four or eight-week work experience in a professional design environment, and co-op for fourth-year students, a semester-long practical experience in the field of graphic design, along with optional summer internships, all help students build their business acumen.

As new technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality, among many others, supplant themselves within the design industry, refusal to adapt as an educational institution is not an option. Educating through a global pandemic adds another layer of difficulty.

“Prior to the pandemic, I would have probably said consistency is what has allowed us to sustain success,” said Flick. “Now, knowing everything that The Modern went through over the last few years and the changes made to continue offering quality programs, I would say adaptability has been just as crucial. Being a smaller, more focused institution allows us the opportunity to keep up with the industry’s growing expectations for entry-level design talent.”

Hosting roughly 200 students with class sizes ranging between about eight and 20 students, The Modern offers students a hyper-focused education in a small, inclusive, intimate learning environment. This environment, paired with passionate faculty and staff members who aim to build relationships, enables students to reach their full potential as designers and young professionals.

“While it is an honor to work somewhere that is recognized in a prestigious way, ultimately, I get the most satisfaction knowing we are helping students learn the skills to earn a living and launch a long, successful career,” said Flick.