Multimedia Artist Training and Jobs

Much like graphic designers, multimedia artists use computers and other technology to make their art come alive. If you love computers and being creative through your art, a career as a multimedia artist could be right for you.

 Check out more information regarding the types of online degrees you can get in an art and design program and what coursework is taught.

The Work of a Multimedia Artist

Multimedia artists and animators work primarily in the motion picture and video industries, but they also tend to venture into the advertising and computer systems design services. They draw by hand and use computers to create a series of pictures that form the animated images or special effects seen in movies, TV shows and computer games. Some draw storyboards for television commercials, movies and animated features.

Many multimedia artists model objects in 3-D with computers and then work with programmers to make those images move.

Training and Qualifications for Studying at a Multimedia University

Multimedia artists usually develop their skills through a bachelor's degree program or other postsecondary training in art or design. It is very difficult to become skilled enough to make a living without some training.

Due to the level of technical expertise demanded, multimedia artists and animators generally need a bachelor's degree from a multimedia university or other school. Many educational programs provide training in computer techniques. Computers are used widely in the visual arts, and having knowledge and training in computer graphics and other visual display software would be critical to finding a job in this field.

Multimedia Jobs and Employment Outlook

Multimedia artists held about 87,000 jobs nationally in 2006. Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more video games, movie and television special effects and 3-D animated movies. The projected growth for these positions is roughly 26%, which is much higher than the overall job growth.

Additional job openings will arise from an increasing demand for website development and computer graphics adaptation from the increasing number of mobile technologies. Multimedia artists and animators should have better job opportunities than other artists but will still experience stiff competition.

Earnings for Multimedia Artists

Median annual earnings of salaried multimedia artists and animators were $51,350-this is not including earnings of the self-employed. The middle 50 percent earned between $38,980 and $70,050. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,390, and the highest 10% earned more than $92,720.