Multimedia Art

Multimedia Art Career Overview

Multimedia artists use more than one medium in the creation of their work. Multimedia artists typically work in film, television, video game design, advertising, web design, and computer art and animation; however, the term also describes any artist combines different elements in order to produce his or her work.

Multimedia Artist Training & Education

A multimedia artist will usually hold a bachelor’s degree or certificate in fine arts, animation, design, film, web design, cinema arts, or a related major. Many colleges and universities offer degree programs in the arts with a focus on a particular aspect such as web design, but there are also specialty schools and programs which offer courses exclusively in various forms of multimedia arts.

Some key qualities that employers of multimedia artists look for are the ability to think creatively, perceive things visually, communicate and understand ideas, sharpen and adapt existing skills, and work independently.

Multimedia Artist Salary Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the 218,000 reported artists who were employed in the U.S. in 2006, approximately 40 percent or 87,000 of those, were multimedia artists. The BLS predicts an increase in the number of jobs in this field through the year 2016, due to the rising popularity of video and computer games, website development, animated series, and movies with special effects.

O*Net estimates that there will have been a 21 percent rise in the number of multimedia artist jobs between 2006 and 2016. However, because multimedia art is such a popular and appealing field, competition for available jobs is expected to remain fierce. Though pay can vary widely depending on title and experience, the average yearly salary for a multimedia artist in the U.S. in 2007 was $54,550 according to O*Net.

Multimedia Art Career Fields & Specializations

Some specialized roles which multimedia artists hold are those of animators, storyboard artists, special effects artists, web designers, video game designers, and a host of other related titles. Artists who work in the TV or film industry may create special effects for movies or shows. They may also put together storyboards, or scene by scene illustrations that outline the plot of a program. Those who are employed in advertising may be responsible for the development of graphics or art used in commercials and other visual advertisements such as billboards, magazine ads, or posters.

While many multimedia artists seek employment through established companies, some attempt to work for themselves on a freelance basis. The freelance multimedia artist will work on a project by project basis for a variety of clients. Artists who choose freelance work usually do so after gaining some experience in the field through an employer.

Sources:

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
O*Net Online: Multi-media Artists and Animators
Academy of Art University: Degrees/Classes
New York University: Academic Departments