Recommendations for top colleges in commercial and advertising art?

I'm looking at colleges that offer strong programs in commercial and advertising art. Does anyone know which schools have the best reputations in this area? Any insights on what the programs are like would be super helpful!

Some of the leading institutions offering strong programs in Commercial and Advertising Art include:

1. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): RISD offers a BFA in Graphic Design, which includes strong aspects of advertising and commercial art in its curriculum.

2. Parsons School of Design, The New School: Offering a BFA in Communication Design, Parsons combines advertising, graphic design, and art direction in their program.

3. Pratt Institute: Their BFA in Communications Design program combines illustration, advertising, and graphic design.

4. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): SAIC's Visual Communication Design program includes elements of commercial art and advertising.

5. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): CalArts offers a Graphic Design program that covers commercial art and advertising themes, ranging from typographic systems and print design to motion graphics and interactive design.

These programs typically have a robust curriculum that spans conceptual, strategic, and design-based classes to provide a full perspective on the advertising and commercial art industries. Although they may vary slightly depending on the institution, they will generally cover key areas such as graphic design, visual communication, branding, advertising theory, and typography. They also emphasize on practical application, where students get a chance to build their portfolios with real-world projects.

Always explore the specific course details from the schools' official websites and reach out to their respective admission offices or department chairs for more detailed information. You can then compare and contrast these programs to see which best aligns with your career goals.