 The word "multimedia" can easily be deconstructed into 2 essential components. After some thought, we can make the correct assumption that "many types of media" are involved in this growing field. With the vast majority of this media being digital, television and the web are the most common venues for the skills of a multimedia artist. The most commonly sought after skills in these venues are:
- Programmatic (HTML, CSS, Java, etc)
- Graphical (Imaging, Layout, Design, etc)
- Motion Oriented (Flash, Video, etc)
 There is a lot of overlap in the list above and how all elements interact to create a finished multimedia project. And within each lies many subcategorized specialties. The general trend in today's market is to be specialized within one of these subcategories, and master it, although many people are versatile with many skills. For instance: one person's job may be shooting raw video, another's may be to edit that footage, another may be animating over that video with text and graphics, another may optimize this video for production on the web or television. In another environment, one person may do all of the above! As you can see, the multimedia process varies and can require anything from flying solo to being a great team player depending on the circumstance. The best thing for a student to do is find out where their skills lead them in college, and then find a professional situation to best suite that path.
Multi-media artists and animators
 work primarily in motion picture and video industries, advertising, and computer systems design services. They draw by hand and use computers to create the large series of pictures that form the animated images or special effects seen in movies, television programs, and computer games. Some draw storyboards for television commercials, movies, and animated features. Storyboards present television commercials in a series of scenes similar to a comic strip and allow an advertising agency to evaluate proposed commercials with the company doing the advertising. Storyboards also serve as guides to placing actors and cameras on the television or motion picture set and to other details that need to be taken care of during the production of commercials.
 Multimedia and digital communications is a mix of computing and communication. Students learn how to process information and make it available to audiences through electronic media. Using graphics and sound as educational, promotional and entertainment tools, professionals in the field design web pages, animated banners, video programs and sound broadcasts.
Creative individuals who want to work with computers, the Internet and electronic media as creative and business outlets can get an education in one of several subjects. Computer science, computer programming and multimedia are a few of the subject areas that will give students the skills they need to be a professional in the multimedia and digital communications field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov, states that many schools offer degree programs related to these fields, and it may be a wise choice to earn a degree for this industry.
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Website Designers
 A website designer can wear many hats at his of her job depending on the skill set which they posses. Most website designers must have a strong sense of basic computer programming such as HTML and CSS, mixed with a healthy balance of graphical sensibility and layout skills. This basic formula can shift either way, with greater concentrations in each depending on the website or job. If the website is interacting with a database, or serving video, the formula now requires specialized skills to integrate these features with the design. A good website designer is very versatile with their ability to meet these types of needs, but should master one, and is never expected to do it all. Some good advice would be to pick a concentration you are inspired by and good at, but be aware of all that surrounds you.
Computer programmers
write, test, and maintain the detailed instructions, called programs, that computers must follow to perform their functions. They also conceive, design, and test logical structures for solving problems by computer. Many technical innovations in programming—advanced computing technologies and sophisticated new languages and programming tools—have redefined the role of a programmer and elevated much of the programming work done today. Job titles and descriptions may vary, depending on the organization. In this occupational statement, computer programmer refers to individuals whose main job function is programming; this group has a wide range of responsibilities and educational backgrounds.
What career opportunities does Web & Multimedia offer?
Wondering what kind of careers there are in Web & Multimedia? You have to check out our list of careers that you can enjoy. Go now
What schools offer Web & Multimedia programs?
Different schools have different approaches to the Web & Multimedia education. If you are interested in the Web & Multimedia network, please contact the universities listed in our database for information.
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