| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern New Mexico University | Portales |
| 2 | New Mexico State University | Las Cruces |
Our 2019 rankings of the top graphic design school programs in New Mexico. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools as a four-year liberal arts college in 1947. Today, ENMU is New Mexico's largest regional comprehensive university with a four-year campus in Portales and two-year campuses in Roswell and Ruidoso. The school offers 90 undergraduate, graduate and certificate degree options through five colleges.
The College of Fine Arts houses the Department of Art. Here, students can earn a BFA with an Emphasis in Graphic Design. The program requires the study of drawing, design history, two-dimensional and three-dimensional structure, typography, and photography. Sample courses include Illustration, Photography, Publication Design, and Typography. Professional practice courses include Publication Design, Web Design, Portfolio Development and Career Options.
Other program highlights include small class sizes and personal advising, the annual student trip to Dallas, participation in Pixel 2 Paper (an annual design conference hosted by the Department of Art), guest speakers, guest designers, and Command X, the school’s monthly design competition. Students may also become members of AIGA/ENMU, which is the only student group in the state of New Mexico officially recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts. The group regularly takes part in fundraising, professional development opportunities, and social events.
Graduates of the Graphic Design program are prepared to pursue careers such as Advertising Professional, Animator, Art Director, Illustrator, Promotions and Marketing Manager, Production Worker, and Graphic Designer. Recent ENMU BFA graduates have landed positions at Harvard Business Publishing, Lockheed Martin, SAE Institute USA, Colorado Springs Gazette, PSA Worldwide, Dodd Creative Group, and many others.
2. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
New Mexico State University (NMSU) was founded in 1888 as Las Cruces College. The school serves approximately 14,432 students enrolled in more than 100 programs through seven colleges and the graduate school. The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college at NMSU, teaching every freshman and offering degrees to over 6,000 majors. The college is home to 24 academic departments, including the Department of Art. Here, students can earn a BA in Studio Art or a 27 credit hour Minor in Art.
Per the school, the BA program is designed to give the student “a broad interdisciplinary understanding of the areas of painting/drawing, graphic design, printmaking, sculpture, photography, ceramics, conservation, jewelry and metalsmithing, through a series of introductory and special topics courses and the history and appreciation of art in the context of a liberal education.” Students are required to take 18 credits of Art History and 30 credits of upper-level studio art classes. Through electives, students can also develop skills in a specific area of interest. Sample courses include Advanced Graphic Design, Computer-Based Illustration, Digital Graphics, Drawing, Graphic Design, History of Graphic Design, Printmaking, Special Topics in Graphic Design, Typography, Visual Concepts, and Web Page Design.
Graduates are prepared to seek positions in areas from advertising and marketing to publishing and web design.