Harrington College of Design

Key Highlights

• Dedicated to academic excellence
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at Harrington centered on the creative process and the Chicago design scene that surrounded campus. With only 381 students, the school functioned more like a design studio than a traditional college. Classmates often collaborated on projects, shared equipment and resources, and formed creative partnerships that extended beyond graduation. Chicago's cultural offerings provided endless inspiration and entertainment for design students. The Art Institute, one of the world's great museums, offered student discounts and opportunities to study masterworks firsthand. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Design Museum, and numerous galleries showcased current work that could inform student projects and career aspirations. The urban campus meant students experienced city life daily. Walking to class through downtown Chicago exposed students to the built environment they studied, from historic buildings to contemporary towers. Restaurants, coffee shops, and bars in surrounding neighborhoods provided informal gathering spaces where students continued design conversations outside the classroom. Student organizations focused on professional development and creative exploration. Groups organized gallery visits, design competitions, and networking events that connected students with working professionals. These activities supplemented classroom instruction with real-world exposure and relationship building. Many students worked part-time jobs, sometimes in design-adjacent fields that provided relevant experience. Retail positions at furniture showrooms, fabrication work at custom manufacturers, and assistant roles at design firms offered income while building practical knowledge. The demanding nature of design coursework required careful balance between work, study, and the occasional moment of relaxation.

Location & Surroundings

Chicago provided Harrington students with an ideal setting for design education. The city's architectural heritage spans from the Chicago School that pioneered skyscraper construction through Prairie Style homes to contemporary towers by internationally acclaimed architects. Students could study building design simply by walking through neighborhoods, observing how different eras and philosophies shaped the urban fabric. The Merchandise Mart, one of the world's largest commercial buildings, houses design showrooms where students could examine furniture, fabrics, and finishes used in professional projects. Access to these resources gave students exposure to quality and variety typically unavailable at schools in smaller cities. Relationships with showroom staff sometimes led to discounts on materials for student projects. Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile offered examples of retail design and visual merchandising. Students could observe how major brands created environments that supported their identity and sales objectives. The mix of flagship stores, historic buildings, and public spaces demonstrated how design shapes urban experience. Chicago's neighborhood diversity meant students could explore residential design across contexts, from Gold Coast mansions to Lincoln Park townhouses to Pilsen artist lofts. Each neighborhood presented different design challenges and aesthetics, broadening students' understanding of how context shapes appropriate solutions. Transportation options allowed car-free living for those who preferred it. The CTA's train and bus network connected the campus to neighborhoods throughout the city, and many students lived in apartments accessible by transit. Those with cars faced Chicago's notorious traffic and parking challenges but gained flexibility to reach suburban clients and job sites.

Costs & Career Outcomes

As a private for-profit institution, Harrington's tuition costs exceeded those at public community colleges and universities offering design programs. Students needed to weigh the focused curriculum and industry connections against higher price points. The school offered financial aid packages combining federal loans, grants for qualifying students, and institutional scholarships to help manage costs. Career preparation wove throughout the curriculum rather than appearing only at graduation. Students built portfolios from first-year projects onward, developing bodies of work that demonstrated capabilities to prospective employers. Faculty with industry connections often knew of opportunities and could recommend students for positions. Interior design graduates entered a field with steady demand for qualified professionals. Chicago's active real estate and construction markets created opportunities for residential and commercial projects. Some graduates joined established firms as junior designers, while others pursued positions in related fields like kitchen and bath design, furniture sales, or staging. Photography program graduates faced a more competitive market as digital technology democratized image creation. Successful graduates typically combined technical skill with business acumen, building client relationships and marketing their services effectively. Commercial photography, event work, and editorial assignments provided income streams for those who could build client bases. Networking relationships formed during school often proved as valuable as formal credentials. Classmates who moved into different roles could refer work to each other, while faculty connections opened doors at firms throughout the Chicago design community. The intimate school size meant graduates knew each other personally, creating a built-in professional network.

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