Studies & Degrees in Multimedia

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The word "multimedia" was invented by Bob Goldstein to advertise the July 1966 launching of his show named "LightWorks at L'Oursin", which was held in Southampton, Long Island. In the 1990s, some commercialized computers were named "multimedia" computers since they integrated a CD-ROM drive, which make possible for saving of numerous hundred megabytes of images, video and audio records.

Multimedia comprises of combination of animation, audio, video, still images, text and different content forms. It stimulates the eyes, fingertips, ears and the head, which is the most significant. Multimedia is used in several areas including spatial temporal applications, scientific research, medicine, mathematics, engineering, entertainment, education, business, art and advertisement.

Multimedia is commonly played and recorded, exhibited or retrieved from storage devices such as electronic and computerized devices. The presentations of multimedia can be recorded or live. Live multimedia delivers by means of an interaction with the artist or announcer. A recorded production may allow interagency support by the use of a navigation system.

The skills needed in this kind of profession include oral and communication skill, mathematical and analytic art, imaginative or artistic knowledge in computing and information technology, and familiarity with audio/video editing software and equipment. Some software that is commonly used includes Adobe Image Ready, Macromedia Flash and Director and Fireworks. Individual traits that are necessary are determination, adaptable or flexible, initiative personality and patience.

The function of a Multimedia job is to produce an animation or interactive device for the CD ROMs, DVDs and websites. The distinctive animation begins with a discussion with the customer. Multimedia professionals make recommendation and notify the customer on what is the possible technology to be used. They develop a beneficial idea of what the customer desires or requires. They collect a sequence of storyboard and sketch to illustrate the said animation. The notes and storyboard are utilized to make prototypes, which they present to the customer for criticism or comment. They come up with design and ideas by utilizing computer design packages. They show or demonstrate the final designs, programs and script to the customer. They accomplish the testing programs for customer’s final approval. The usual or distinctive outputs include education and training materials, promotion and marketing materials, entertainment outcomes (computer games), and record of public information resources.

In order to be a successful in the Multimedia profession, you must determine the specific area you want to be an expert. Then determine the abilities you need to achieve something in your selected field. Make a plan to obtain the abilities you do not have. Professional appearance or looks and having practical experience in this kind of career is a plus factor.

Some opportunities for multimedia profession include Animation (refers to the layout and production, drawing, design of multimedia clips), Author-based programming (engaged in writing scripts in order to incorporate a variety of pictures, graphics, presentation, text animation and sound), Computer based graphic designing (utilizes computer software application to design and layout) and Digital video-sound editing (set up video sound and formatting audio and combining music).

Job positions for Multimedia:

Multimedia Creative Director

Multimedia products and contents are made with the collaborative effort of a creative group that can consist of artists, graphic designers, photographers, copywriters, multimedia programmers, and a production staff. To be able to produce a quality multimedia content, a creative group has to be led by a Multimedia Creative Director that has creative, technical and managing skills. A Multimedia Creative Director is the one in charge of the whole creative team, checking and rechecking the team’s progress to keep them on track and to make sure that what they are doing is according to the client’s request.

Aside from being the team’s supervisor, it is also the Multimedia Creative Director’s responsibility to finalize the choice of models, art, props, copy, color, and other elements of the production that is why knowledge on graphic and production designs is an advantage, if not a requirement. If the need arise, the Multimedia Creative Director will also provide some graphic designs to be presented to the client.

Multimedia products are different from other mediums because of formers’ interactivity with its viewers. It is the Creative Director’s responsibility to make an interactivity flow chart that will help the creative team during planning and production. The Multimedia Creative Director should create the diagram that will show the link between the different mediums used in the multimedia product like texts, sounds, still or animated images, and so on. It is the Director’s responsibility to define the course of navigation the user will take to get to the information he/she is looking for.

A Multimedia Creative Director can find job opportunities in different industries. In the gaming industry, for example; a Creative Director is tasked to create and oversee the building of the “progression architecture” for the game. This means planning and defining the access sites, surfing possibilities, animations and graphics, embedded movies, and even the flow of the game’s plot. It is also the Multimedia Creative Director who gives the final say on the consequences generated from user actions. For example: by clicking a part of the game screen, an animation will appear or a sound will activate.

A Multimedia Creative Director can also find himself working in an advertising agency. The main responsibility is to help and oversee the creative group in making ad materials and campaigns. A Director should be able to plan, design, direct, and help in the production of ad materials and 360-degree ad campaigns with his/her creative team. Both creativity and marketing skills are required to be a successful in this industry.

Being a Multimedia Creative Director is a demanding yet fulfilling career. To become one, you should have good knowledge on practically anything — from art to marketing to production designing. This will be a great advantage when it comes to deciding the final design for the multimedia product your team will produce. A Creative Director should also be versatile and multi-tasking; able to think of designs and at the same time supervise the creative team. Of course knowledge and expertise in software like Photoshop, CorelDraw, Flash, and others that are used to create multimedia content is a requirement. If you know or are familiar with web programming languages like CSS and Java, it will be an advantage for you especially if you are working on a multimedia product for the web. Communication skills, creativity, managing and people skills will also help you in leading your creative team to success.

Multimedia Designer

Multimedia is the most popular way of presenting data through electronic devices such as computers, televisions, cellular phones, and even in a live stage. If you open a web browser and visit a webpage, you will notice moving ads and interactive applications like doodles or games like Solitaire. If you turn on your television and watch a recording of a live concert and observe the laser show; or watch an animated film with 3D characters, then you are familiar with multimedia usage. But website content and presentation are but a few of the many usage of multimedia; and every industry — from Entertainment to Advertising to Education — is out to maximize multimedia. Doing this will require the help of a specialist, a multimedia artist that specializes in the designing multimedia content that will suit every company’s needs: a Multimedia Designer.

More often than not, a Multimedia Designer will work in a creative group that will provide the clients with the multimedia content they need. The main responsibility of a Multimedia Designer is to design; that is, to produce sketches, scale models, plans, and drawings of the multimedia content to be developed. These plans and sketches will be checked by the creative director or by the production manager for any inconsistencies or for production feasibility. Multimedia Designers are the ones in charge on the overall feel of the multimedia content. They can design the props, set, and decide on the costumes that will best compliment the design. Multimedia Designers can also direct and advise set assistants and other production staff if needed to maintain the design.

Multimedia Designers are very in-demand and can have a career in the film industry, in television stations, in the advertising industry, and in video production houses. This is because the industries and fields mentioned above often use multimedia as the main content or as an addition to their presentations (e.g. television commercials, movies, websites, etc.). Multimedia Designers can also find a job opportunity in a live theater or live concert production where their designs improve the overall feel of the performance (laser shows, animated stage backdrop, etc.).

Aside from innate creativity, the ability to see the “big design,” and good communication skills to better express his/her ideas, a Multimedia Designer is expected to be very accurate in doing his job. A small mistake on the multimedia designer’s plan will cause a mistake in production — which is definitely not cheap — or will end up in a bad performance. A Multimedia Designer should also be familiar, if not an expert, on software such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Corel Draw for designing and planning; Fireworks for designing web graphics; and Flash for motion graphics usually used for movies or game applications. Basic knowledge of web programming languages like Java and CSS will also come in handing if working on a multimedia content for the web. A multimedia Designer should also know how to operate gadgets like digital cameras and digital camcorders; these will be very helpful in providing pegs for production purposes.

Video Maker/Producer

Video Makers/Producers form videos for a variety of industrial and advertisement purposes. They propose, coordinate and make easy video projects from beginning to end, both in a location and studio. They are the chief players in the film, video and TV industries for the fact that the idea of a project initially comes form them. A Video Maker/Producer supervises each project from the start up to the end point. They research and evaluate ideas and completed the scripts. They build up and develop a new product or artistic creation. A Maker/Producer is expected to report directly to the client.

Video Makers/Producers are also expected to set up the financial support for every project. They are in charge in controlling the production expenses based on the financial plan or budget. They also arrange the shooting schedules. They are utilizing computer software applications for budgeting, scheduling and screenwriting. A Video Maker/Producer is responsible in appointing key staff to shoot videos and films. They oversee the development of the project. They have a regular assembly with the director to talk about the characters and scenes of the said project. Some of the technical main parts of the works include sound recording equipment and cameras. Lighting methods is also significant in this kind of field. Video Makers/Producers arrange lights to facilitate them to shoot film whether indoors or outside. Makers/Producers often used the computerized editing systems to combine, cut and set up shots, and to enhance or develop the quality of photos and sound. They consider the clients demands before planning and organizing for recording. Other aspects of the work include marketing and sales.

Theoretically, the Maker/Producer handles the practical and political features of maintaining the operation of the project without difficulties and effectively, in order that the director and the production staff can focus on the artistic or originative angles. Professional quality videos are utilized for education, training, public relations and marketing, including events such as weddings, birthday, graduation and etc.

The required education for this kind of profession is a Master/Bachelor’s degree with major course associated to communications, TV production or other related field. The skills needed for aspirant Video Makers/Producers include knowledge in video and audio production software (Final Cut Pro, Pro Tools and CAD), familiarity in using portable lighting equipment, organizational and communication skills, social abilities, professional behavior and capacity to work under pressure to meet the deadline on time.

Sometimes they are required to travel whether local or international.
Companies making videos for radio and TV programs are fewer. Perhaps, there are chances with these companies if the applicants possess significant training and experience. Several Makers/Producers are self-employed or freelance. The competition for the entire work in this business is intense.

The approximate salary for a Video Maker/Producer in New York-Manhattan and Los Angeles ranges from $90,000 to $100,000 per year, while in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Indianapolis and Orlando from $40,000 to $68,000 per year. But it also depends on the kind of production and project they are working with or employed.

Animator

An Animator is creative person who makes multiple images named frames to formulate a vision or fragment of the imagination of movement called animation when quickly exhibited or displayed. Animators can work in the various and expanding fields of film and animated film production, television, gaming and networking industry.

The Animators usually communicate with the customers and build up or originate animation from their ideas. They produce storyboards that portray or describe the script and story. They draw sketches and artwork by using 2D and 3D animation. They are in charge in designing the animation environment including the sets, backgrounds, character, models and objects. Animators develop the speed and timing of objects or characters movement throughout the series of images and follow the necessary audio and soundtrack. They work on and develop the exact and detailed frame-by-frame images. Also, they record the dialogue and work with editors to combine the several layers of animation to generate the completed piece. The animators usually use computer software applications like 3D studio max, Cinema 4D, Flash, Light wave, Softimage, Maya and others. They also utilize classic materials such as watercolors, oil paints, acrylics, plaster, modeling clay and other available coloring material. An animation piece usually demands the teamwork or joint effort of numerous Animators. The techniques of producing the images for an animation art object or piece count on the animators' creative styles and their field. Animators work with the designers, copywriters, executives, photographers, marketing specialists and other links concerned to the project.

In United States, the salary of Computer Animators that operate in 3D art is about $43,000 per year. The approximate salary for Video Game Animators is $40,000 for every year, while the salary for individual animation in this kind of profession specifically relies on the company and its location. Freelance Animator has a capability to earn more compare to their counterparts at recognized design business firms.
The required education for an Animator is a Bachelor of Arts degree in Animation or associate degrees. Students may are expected to be exposed in the following subjects – animation practices, computer graphics, drawing for animation, graphic design, programming for 3D and video effects. Student may also study the history of art, image generation and combination, game design, kinematics animation techniques, life drawing, modeling, photo shop effects, principles and structure of design and sound and video editing.

Other job opportunities for Animators include cartoonists, sketch artists, painters, illustrators, visual artist, multimedia designers, graphic designers, computer game programmer, computer game developer and web designers.

The skills needed for an animator include artistic or creative ability, storytelling ability, technical/software knowledge, problem sensitivity, oral and written comprehension and ability to work as a team.