The digital media field is one field where specialization is extremely useful. Digital media designers can find work in animation and entertainment, or in other areas, such as architecture and science where they focus on product enhancement and communications.
Digital media designers create images, effects, and animation for film, video, computers, and other multi-media outlets. Their work typically involves designing a visual presentation of information and entertainment using computer programs. A bachelor's degree in computer graphics or another relevant field is generally required, and prospective employers want to see a solid portfolio of the job candidate's work. Many digital media designers are self-employed.
|Required Education||Bachelor's degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field|
|Projected Job Growth for Multimedia Artists and Animators (2018-2028)||4%*|
|Median Salary for Multimedia Artists and Animators (2018)||$72,520*|
Source: * U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Salary Information for a Digital Media Designer
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), multimedia artists and animators, which include digital media designers, earned a median annual wage of $72,520 and a median hourly wage of $34.87 (www.bls.gov) in 2018. Payscale.com also reports that the salary for a digital designer ranges from $39,000-$79,000 as of September 2019.
Career Information for Digital Media Designers
Digital media designers use integrated media to communicate messages, information, and entertainment through video games, movies, special effects, or 3-D animation. They often have a bachelor's degree in a field such as Web design, digital video production and editing, graphic design, or digital photography.
The responsibilities of a digital media designer can vary greatly depending on the specific area of employment; however, most designers create 2- and 3-dimensional images, graphics, models, and animation using digital programs. These creations are communicated via mediums such as the Internet, film, television, and mobile technologies. Digital media designers also use technical programs to create content for traditional outlets, such as newsletters, newspapers, and manuals.
The field of digital media design was expected to experience an on-average job increase from 2018-2028, according to the BLS. Positions were expected to grow in computer graphics for the expanding mobile technology market. In addition, consumer demand for video games, movies, special effects, and 3-D animation accounted for some of the predicted growth.
Employment can also be found in alternative areas such as science, medicine, law, business, and architecture, where designers help to enhance the products and communication in these fields. Employment for all art and design workers was expected to grow 2% between 2018 and 2028. The overall slow-down in the rate of employment growth was largely attributed to companies hiring workers from outside of the country.
Regardless of what industry they are working for, digital media designers will spend their work hours creating models, graphics, and designs. They must have a thorough knowledge of their craft and a portfolio, which will help them when seeking employment. Digital media designers have a variety of bachelor's degrees to choose from, including those in graphic design, Web design, and digital video production, among others.