Big Island residents eyeing careers in photography, graphic design or animation soon will be able to complete an entire degree in the subject areas locally.
This fall, Hawaii Community College will begin offering an associate of science degree in digital media arts. The 62-credit program will include classes in video, photography, animation and graphic design.
The program will be the first of its kind on the island. For a decade, the Hilo campus has featured a 21-credit digital media arts certificate that is geared toward those seeking entry-level positions or professionals wanting additional training, according to the program website. The certificate will remain once the associate degree begins.
“The certificate is an occupational certificate that qualifies you for an entry-level position,” said Violet Murakami, professor and chairwoman of HCC’s humanities department. “But most companies would prefer students who have more knowledge or background in their specified area — an associate of science degree is more comprehensive than the certificate, it’s much more all-encompassing.”
The certificate program started in 2005 with two students, Murakami said, but it has since grown — last semester, 33 students were enrolled and it has had as many as 63 students.
The associate degree will be transferable to four-year schools such as the University of Hawaii at West Oahu, which offers a bachelor’s degree in creative media. Several community colleges on Oahu also have digital media programs.
Murakami said demand for industry graduates is growing — some students who’ve completed HCC’s certificate have gone on to start their own companies, she said, or fill positions locally, such as in the graphics design department at KTA Super Stores.
“Every business needs a website,” Murakami said. “These days, businesses can’t afford to not have one. And social media skills — Facebook, Instagram — are in high demand. We teach our students to build websites, be graphic designers and all those skills in graphic design and web design.”
HCC also will begin offering three digital media courses at its Palamanui campus in Kona this fall.
Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
