Llamelo

The Maui News

A graphic design student will become the first University of Hawaii Maui College Academy for Creative Media graduate to come from Lanai or Molokai.

Arabela Llamelo, who was raised on Lanai, hadn’t planned on attending college but took a chance and went on to complete her coursework completely online.

“At times it can be challenging and quite lonely, but overall, I enjoyed the courses I took, the projects I worked on and was able to finish at my own pace in my own time,” Llamelo said in a news release Monday. “I focused on graphic design because it relates to what I’ve been doing for years, drawing/doodling. I ended up really enjoying the program. The professors are wonderful and were a great help and inspiration in what I want to do in the future.”

Llamelo plans to continue her studies at UH-West Oahu toward a Bachelor of Arts in general creative media, and wants to work as a graphic designer or illustrator in the future.

UH-Maui’s graduation is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday on the Great Lawn.

“All of us are proud and excited for Arabela Llamelo’s achievements and as an example of the opportunities for students from across the islands to seamlessly articulate to a bachelor of arts at UH West O’ahu in Creative Media through ACM’s unique systemwide program,” ACM System Founder and Director Chris Lee said.

The academy is also expanding opportunities for students, focusing on a field that’s at the heart of the media and entertainment industry — animation.

Starting in the fall semester, students interested in animation may pursue an associate’s degree via the academy. Animation and filmmaking graduates may transfer to UH-Manoa for just two additional years of in-person study to earn a Bachelor of Arts at the UH-Manoa ACM: School of Cinematic Arts. Previously, transfer students would have needed two and a half to three additional years.

“Animation is more than cartoons and big-budget CGI motion pictures like Marvel or Pixar,” UH-Maui Academy for Creative Media Program Coordinator Brian Kohne said. “The form now merges the traditional art and technology at the heart of Virtual Reality and Video Game Design, now even larger industries than cinema. It’s where the majority of high-paying media/entertainment jobs are, but to compete for that work one must attain a four-year degree and acquire a daunting array of media skills. We can now provide our students a foundational beginning to their careers, right here on Maui.”

Currently graduates of the academy such as Llamelo may transfer to UH-West Oahu, either in person or online, to earn a Bachelor of Arts in two more years.