Profiles of Schools/Colleges in New Mexico (NM) Offering Animation, Design, Gaming, and Media Related Programs

The U.S. is home to more than 286,000 salaried graphic designers and this figure doesn’t include independent contractors, freelancers, and business owners. The demand for salaried graphic designers is so high that the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 13 percent increase in employment by 2018. The demand for independent contractors and freelancers may be even higher. To meet the demand, colleges across the country have created accelerated graphic design programs. Others have stepped back and examined existing programs. This usually results in a new and improved program that addresses current industry needs.

Is there really a difference between a “Best” animation school and a “Top” animation school? Maybe—especially if you look at how each system assesses each school. The factors used to establish a “best” program might be different than the factors used to label a top program. For example, the organizations behind most “best” lists may not consider issues such as tuition cost or say, Greek life, while the groups behind most “top” lists may not consider graduation and retention rates or student selectivity. The reasons for this might be based on who’s judging.

From Abstract Expressionism to Kinetic to Native American, the New Mexico art scene has something for every type of art lover under the sun. The state has also made a name for itself in the world of digital art and design, making it a great place to launch a career in animation, graphic design or even gaming. Not only this, but the film industry has taken notice over the years and called on New Mexico to host such productions as True Grit, The Book of Eli, and Iron Man 2—to name a few. Hollywood productions such as these bring plenty of employment opportunities for film animators.

A Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, the New Mexico Film Office continues to offer one of the most competitive incentives package in the industry. This, along with the most breathtaking landscapes, attracts productions and television series of all kinds from across the U.S. Just a few include Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008 – 2010), The Avengers (2012), Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul (2008 – 2013; 2014 -), True Grit (2010), Due Date (2010), Iron Man 2 (2010), The Book of Eli (2010), The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008 – 2010), and No Country for Old Men (2007). Thanks to an active film office, the state is home to a large number of production studios and other businesses that support the film industry.  This includes animation studios.  

Our 2015 rankings of the Top 10 schools for game design and development in the Southwest US. We define the Southwest as Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.

1. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

The University of Utah is home to 31,000 students enrolled in close to 100 undergraduate programs and more than 90 graduate programs. Founded in 1850, the University of Utah  houses 17 colleges and schools, and close to 100 departments. The College of Engineering and the College of Fine Arts offer the Entertainment Arts and Engineering Master Games Studio (EAE:MGS). Tracks include Arts, Engineering, Technical Arts, and Production. According to the Studio, “all students in each of the tracks have a series of common classes including Game Design, Rapid Prototyping, Pre-Production, and Final Project.” In addition, students will “develop and enhance a professional game portfolio” and they will have the opportunity to complete an internship in the game industry.