Programs and Careers in Multimedia

They're Everywhere!

Today you probably did at least one of the following – saw a commercial, played a game on your slick new phone, glanced at an ad graphic on the web somewhere, enjoyed a movie, watched some cartoons. All these things were brought to you by the professionals in multimedia. These creative minds work with film, video, computers, and other electronic tools to bring us special effects, animation, and other visual images.

Sound fun? For those with the right skills and passions, it can be. This growing field provides an outlet for those who desire to design, produce, and present in a variety of markets. See the chart to get an idea of where this field can lead you. Read on to discover exactly what it means to be part of this world of multimedia.

Talents & Tools Required

You’ll most likely need a bachelor’s degree. Yes, you can get a bachelor’s in multimedia. Just as important will be your portfolio. Have some work to brag about. Get some experience at a firm or freelancing. In the midst of all this, learn the tools of the trade. Skills in photoshop and common programming tools are essential. This means keeping up to date with the latest and greatest.

That brings us to another key factor. The pace. Be ready to run. Technology changes, trends sway, competition increases as the field grows. You’ll need to be ready to keep up. Flexibility, a knack for learning new things, and, of course, creativity are all necessary skills.

Quick Facts

The expected increase in employment for this field from 2008 to 2018 is 14%.

Is there a down side to this career? 1) The competition, as mentioned, will continue to stiffen as this area grows and increases in popularity. 2) If attempting to work freelance, intensive networking and a little luck will be needed. 3) Your skills won’t last long. A constantly changing industry will require constant learning and adjusting.

The up side. Opportunity. Imagination. Exploring new mediums of media. Producing products that influence our culture. It’s communicating creatively, and you get paid for it.

Career Outlook for Multimedia Graduates

The Multifaces of Multimedia

Our electronic world ever-increasingly communicates in a multimedia fashion. As technology continues to grow, new modes of media presentation continue to develop. Advertising, interactions, education, hobbies – all are turning more and more to multimedia. Add these facts to our constant hunger for new entertainment, and you have some great opportunities for multimedia specialists.

In fact, there are currently 26,560 multimedia employees out there. This results in no shortage of potential titles. Jobs include:

Animator
Game Designer
Interactive Writer
Sound Producer
Web Content Producer
Webmaster
CD-Rom Developer
Art Designer
Graphic Designer
Interface Designer
Video Producer
Web Developer
Presentation Artist

These various opportunities are now available in a slew of markets, including publishing, advertising, education, media companies, and software companies.

Where are the best opportunities? Check out the chart below for a glimpse at employment across the nation.

Salary Forecast for Multimedia Careers

Does Multimedia Mean Multimillionaire?

Maybe for some. Not for most. Be the one to come up with the next 3D-sized idea and watch the dough roll in. Most, however, will see a modest salary.

But, this industry can reward its creative geniuses with a comfortable lifestyle. You won’t have to design your projects on a ten-year-old PC while living in your parents’ basement. You should make enough to be an independent professional, with enough to afford at least some of the latest toys of your own to help continue to promote your creations and career. See the chart below for what to expect of the top-paying industries.

Graph info - Top Paying Industries for Mutlimedia (average salaries)

Motion Picture & Video $72,380
Information Services $70,250
Technical & Trade Schools $68,730
Software Publishers $68,310
Aerospace Product & Parts Manufacturing $67,830

New York and California are the best paying states for this field, as well as having the highest levels of employment. Be careful, though, in putting too much importance on these facts. Before packing your bags for either coast, consider the cost of living and the competition you’ll find there. Yes, Hollywood may get you work on a Spielberg project someday, but you might be phoning home for help with the bills until you are discovered.

Educational Requirements for Careers in Multimedia

Can Creativity Be Learned?

Yes, some innate ability is necessary. If you’ve never had an original idea in your life, the innovative field of multimedia is not for you. It takes creativity to inspire new ways to implement designs and share ideas artistically.

It takes more than a mind for multimedia though. For most opportunities, a bachelor’s degree will be required. This degree is becoming more common. A glance at the chart below shows this recent growth.

Completing your training is a good handle on design programs and all things digital. Know the most recent tools. Speaking a foreign language is nice. Speaking programming languages is better.

Also – boast a bit. Establish a portfolio that will get you hired. Even if it’s entry level, get some experience that you can draw on. Freelance work, an advertising firm, or a production company can all provide some much-needed practice as you build your career.