RATIONALE:

The term computer graphics includes almost everything on computers that is not text or sound. Today almost every computer can do some graphics, and people have even come to expect to control their computer through icons and pictures rather than just by typing. Computer graphics includes drawing pictures on computers, also called rendering. The pictures can be photographs, drawings, movies, or simulations — pictures of things which do not yet exist and maybe could never exist. Or they may be pictures from places we cannot see directly, such as medical images from inside your body.
At the same time that interactive graphics has become common in user interfaces and visualization of data and objects, the rendering of 3D objects has become dramatically more realistic, as evidenced by the ubiquitous computer-generated commercials and movie special effects. Perhaps the most important new movement in graphics is the increasing concern to modeling objects, not just for creating their pictures. Furthermore, interest is growing in describing the time-varying geometry and behavior of 3D objects. Thus graphics is increasingly concerned with simulation and animation to create objects that look and behave as realistically as possible.

As the frontiers of graphics are moving very rapidly, a program that would provide the foundational knowledge and skills in computer graphics is of utmost importance to be included in the line up of program offerings available at AMA Computer Learning Center.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Associate Degree in Computer Graphics is a 2-year ladderized curriculum, which offers students the opportunity to become highly skilled graphic artists, as they advance from one certification level to another. At the end of the first two (2) trimesters, the students are already given a Certificate in Computer Graphics upon acquiring foundation knowledge and skills in graphic arts. Advancing further into the next two (2) trimesters, a Diploma in Computer Graphics is given upon acquiring intermediate knowledge and skills in the trade. The last two (2) trimesters consist of advanced topics in computer graphics together with industry integration through a practicum course and an undertaking of a special project as an application of all the theories learned thereby ensuring competence in the field of graphic arts.
Computer Graphics program prepares visually-oriented students who are interested in creating and managing the production of graphics for many types of industries. Courses in the program focus on creating intelligent and powerful visual communication tools. Students learn design techniques, visual thinking, concept development, composition, digital photography and image rendering, and animation, through case studies and hands-on exercises.

CAREER PATH

The Associate Degree in Computer Graphics program targets those who, in the near future, want to be: w Computer Graphics Specialists

• Computer Graphics Designers
• Computer Graphics Artists
• Technical Animators
• Desktop Publisher
• Animation Director
• Art Director
• Character Animator
• Compositor
• Computer Graphics Sequence Supervisor
• Computer Graphics Supervisor
• Digital Artist
• Digital Effects Supervisor
• Effects Animator
• Modeler
• Software Designer
• Technical Assistant
• Technical Director
• Visual Effects Producer
• Visual Effects Supervisor