Interactive Flash Design

Interactive Flash Design Career Overview

As an increasing number of companies grapple with ways to keep their websites relevant in a sea of online competition, many have begun turning to web developers with specialty skill sets to help their sites stand apart. It is thanks to this new movement that interactive Flash designers have become a sought after commodity for companies hoping to stay at the top of their game by using Flash on their sites.

At the most basic level, Flash designers are the architects, creators, and innovators responsible for using Flash software to create animation, movement, and innovative color palates on interactive websites. They are generally thought of as a subset of the larger field of interactive site developers, and typically work together with a multimedia company's design, animation, games, and production departments to brainstorm and create new ways to use Flash on the web.

Interactive Flash Designer Training & Education

Although it is not a requirement, nearly all interactive flash designers are expected to have a bachelor's degree in a computer science related field. In addition, some choose to obtain a master's degree or Ph.D., although it is rare for a company to expect such an academic background when hiring a Flash designer.

More so, individuals interested in working with interactive Flash design should become experts at using a number of technologies—in addition to Flash—including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Javascript, XML, HTML, CSS, and Adobe After Effects. The ability to integrate video content into Flash is also seen as a plus for many employers in today's constantly changing market.

Prospective job applicants should be prepared to show employers a body of Flash work in an online portfolio, which includes sites they have created and contributed to, along with notations as to what skills and tools were used to create the content.

Interactive Flash Designer Career & Salary Outlook

As the use of Flash programming grows online, so to has the need for qualified Flash designers. Although the number of college graduates planning careers in web design has risen sharply in recent years, the specific field of interactive Flash design is still severely underserved. A five-year study of web designers showed that only 1.36% considered themselves to be experts in interactive Flash design.

Interactive Flash specialists are in high demand and can therefore expect to be well compensated for their work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in its 2008-09 Occupation Outlook Handbook that the job market for web designers is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2016, and that those designers with expert skills will have the best chances of landing a job in today's competitive market.

According to the BLS, in May of 2006, the median annual earnings for computer systems designers was $67,080. However, due to the fact that Flash design is such a cutting-edge field, and specialists are so sought after and because a large percentage of interactive Flash designers work for large corporations on a freelance basis, the average earnings of a Flash designer can vary greatly based on the number of clients and projects he or she takes on in a given year.

Characteristics of a Successful Interactive Flash Designer

Successful interactive Flash designers thrive in a fast paced environment and have great attention to detail. In addition, they should be problem-solvers who can pick up and learn new technological skills in a continually-evolving industry with ease.

The technological industry is growing and changing at such a rapid pace, so those entering the interactive Flash design field should expect to spend time each week or month staying up-to-date on the latest emerging technologies available on the market.

Employers typically look for candidates with a strong academic background and a versatile portfolio, which showcases a variety of visual design and animation skills, in addition to an expertise in Flash.

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