The New Media Arts (NMA) program is a two year AS degree program located at Kapi‘olani Community College (KCC) in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NMA mission is to prepare students for employment in the fields of interface design and animation.
One A.S. degree, two specializations:
The Animation track prepares students for careers in 3D computer animation, video game development, and emerging industries employing 3D computer graphics. Topics include the full CG pipeline, film analysis and storytelling, digital painting, and demo reel development.
The Interface Design track prepares students for careers as interface designers with a focus on web design. Topics include graphic design, typography, graphic symbolism, user interface design, front-end web development, and motion graphic design. Additional courses include digital imaging, design history, and portfolio development.
The New Media Arts program begins with foundation studies in Fine Arts. Prior to entering the program, students take pre-requisite Art courses that include studies in art history, drawing, design, and photography. The core principles from these foundation fine arts courses are built upon and reinforced throughout the curriculum for both specializations.
Who's hired NMA grads or interns? These companies:
Want to see NMA Student work? Visit our social media pages:
NMA Instagram NMA Animation Instagram NMA YouTube NMA YouTube Archive
New Media Arts is a select admissions program. Students seeking admission to New Media Arts begin by taking pre-requisite art courses. An art portfolio, academic transcripts, personal statement and completed pre-requisite coursework are required to be considered for admission to the program. Students are urged to seek academic counseling early and perform well in their pre-requisite courses. Applications are accepted year-round with an annual due date of April 1st (or the next business day if April 1st falls on a weekend or UH break period).
For Interface Design applicants only:
For Animation applicants only, select one:
For more information regarding criteria for the selection process:
All samples should clearly demonstrate your creativity, composition, and technical skills.
For help regarding the NMA application process:
Contact an NMA Counselor
KOA RENOVATIONS UPDATE
Mahalo to the generous support from the University of Hawaii's Academy for Creative Media, the Koa lab renovations are almost complete! NMA computer labs are currently open with limited hours in Koa 102 & 103 during the following days and times:
All NMA students planning to work in the NMA labs will be required to check-in with the lab monitor on duty before using a lab computer. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know and we will do our best to help.
For more general information about New Media Arts program at Kapi‘olani Community College, the Associates degree, and the admissions process to become a student, please fill out the form below or contact:
Chris Gargiulo is a designer with experience in graphic design, front-end programming, motion graphics, and animation for various film, web, multimedia, and print projects. He received his MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design and his BA in Fine Art from Amherst College. Prior to teaching at KCC, he worked as an art director for Cheil Communications America and Samsung Electronics USA; as a designer and animator for KPE (a web agency); and as a graphic designer for Hula Girl Design. Some of his client work includes Samsung, ABC, Warner Brothers, Six Flags, Hasbro, Marvel Comics, Princess Cruises, and others.
Web Site
Emily attended The Delaware College of Art and Design, a sister school of Pratt and Corcoran followed by a 2 year program at The Portfolio Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Shortly after graduation, Emily worked as a designer at an Atlanta Advertising and Design agency. There she worked with big name clients such as The Coca-Cola Company and The McDonald's Group. A move to the Philadelphia area brought her to be an in-house designer at the British bank Barclays' US credit card division. After working in a corporate setting, she decided to branch off and start her own freelance business. Since its' creation in January of 2007, SuperFine Design has moved all over the country and even the world. Finally, Emily landed in Hawai'i and is hoping to share her passion for typography and print design with the New Media students of KCC.
Web Site
Adam Moura is a visual effects artist and filmmaker with a 15 year background in feature films and computer graphics. Mr. Moura has supervised art teams at facilities in Canada and Asia, as well as in Los Angeles. He has a thorough knowledge of the industry and over the years has acted as liaison between artists, developers, and production management. Before working at studios including Rhythm & Hues, Disney Animation, Digital Domain and Sony Imageworks, Adam studied Communications and Art at UH Manoa, and was part of the first Hawaii based CG film studio, SquareUSA. At KCC he will be playing an integral role in the development of articulated courses and pathways to baccalaureate-level programs of study at UH partner institutions including the new Creative Media concentration at UH West Oahu.
NMA is an academic pathway option for the University of Hawaii's Academy for Creative Media System. Upon completion, NMA students can continue their studies at UH West Oahu toward a Bachelor's Degree in Humanites with a concentration in Creative Media or a Bachelor's of Applied Science degree in Creative Media.
Visit the ACM Creative Media Web Site