Rajamia "Jamie" Drain is a senior at Eastern New Mexico University majoring in graphic design with a minor in communication.
"I have always been an artist. At first, I wanted to teach art, but I decided that I could use my creative skills in the field of graphic design. It is a really fun major and I am happy I did it. For my minor, I wanted to focus on something that was interesting to me, as well as applicable to my major," says Jamie.
In 2017, Jamie earned the Emerging Artist Award from the ENMU Department of Art. She loves drawing and painting in her free time using different mediums. To be involved in the community of Portales, she regularly submits her drawings and paintings to local art shows.
Jamie, who is pursuing a career as a graphic designer in a design firm or under a brand, says, "I want to create strong concepts for companies. I want to help them communicate who they are and what their goals are. I want to use art to inform, inspire and captivate the attention of possible customers."
Jamie has been on the Dean's List for six semesters and is currently a member of Phi Kappa Phi, an honor society on campus. She is employed in the Office of Communication Services at ENMU as a design intern. Off-campus, she works part-time as an assistant manager at Maurices, a retail store in Clovis.
While she was born in Midland, Texas, Jamie was raised in Clovis, New Mexico after her parents started a church there. Her mother is currently employed as a direct support staff in the homes of people with mental and physical disabilities. She has a 37-year-old sister who is employed by the city of Austin, Texas, and a 28-year-old brother who is employed by the Lubbock Police Department.
"My family's location in Clovis influenced my decision to attend ENMU. Honestly, I loved the idea of staying close to home. My family is really important to me, and it is nice visiting often," Jamie states.
Now, Jamie loves being a Greyhound because of the personal teaching that each student receives. She explains, "I love that I get a lot of help from my professors who gladly give their best advice. I also like learning from my friends or other students in my classes."
While being at Eastern, Jamie has had several mentors who have assisted her in achieving her goals. She named Bryan Hahn, a coordinator of creative services for the Office of Communication Services, as a great mentor who helped her achieve her goals at Eastern. In addition, she mentioned Scott Golem, assistant professor of art (graphic design), who assisted her in strengthening her work and portfolio.
"Typography" and "Web Design" are classes the senior has enjoyed while at ENMU. In these classes, she learned coding, lettering and the history behind both.
To others majoring in graphic design, Jamie offers the following advice: "Be persistent and don't be afraid to ask questions. Learning graphic design comes with a lot of practice. At the same time, there are students and instructors who can make something easier or more efficient. Take advantage of open lab hours. If someone wants a great piece that stands out, it will take time and diligence to get."
