Online Graphics & Multimedia Degrees: Curriculum & Program Info
Multimedia artists create special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, and other electronic media. These images are used to create video games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Multimedia artists work in the motion picture and video industries; advertising, public relations, and related services; computer systems design and related services; software publishing; employment services; aerospace product and parts manufacturing; and specialized design services.
Graphics professionals design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs such as displays, packaging, and logos. They can expect to find the most job opportunities in computer systems design and related services; specialized design services; advertising, public relations, and related services; newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers; and printing and related services.
For the 2008-2018 decade, aspiring graphics professionals will compete for approximately 37,000 job openings and multimedia artists will vie for more than 11,000 positions. The average annual salary for multimedia artists is $56,330. Top earners make between $92,720 and $100,390+ annually. Graphics professionals average $42,400-$43-830 per year and top earners in this field take home $69,730+ per year.
To prepare for a career in graphics or multimedia arts, aspiring artists may enroll in one of 300 on-campus colleges that offer accredited programs in art and design. Many of them also offer nearly identical versions of their programs through virtual campuses around the world.
Most online art, design, and technical schools offer certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree programs in multi-media art, animation, fine art, multi-media design, and more. Some even offer a master of fine art with a multimedia focus online. While some students still prefer on-campus multi-media design degree programs, students seeking convenience and flexibility often choose the online option.
While searching for a suitable online degree program, it is important to pay close attention to accreditation, admission requirements, and curriculums. Most accredited colleges require a sample of students’ work in order to assess artistic, creative, and technical ability. Accredited online schools also require transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
The information in the next section can be used as a valuable tool to compare accredited online and on-campus program curriculums to other schools' curriculums.
On-campus and Online Multimedia Degree Curriculums
All accredited online and on-campus multimedia programs will have many similarities, but few differences. Accredited curriculums will include courses that emphasize basic design, design skills, and design communication.
An accredited or on-campus or online multimedia program will include all or most of the following courses:
- Basic Design
- Beginning Drawing
- Beginning Figure Drawing and Composition
- Film: Art & Communication
- Final Cut Pro I & Lab
- From Movies to Multimedia
- Illustrator I & Lab
- Interactive Authoring: CD/DVD
- Multimedia Special Projects
- Painter I & Lab
- Photoshop I & Lab
- Sample Reel Development & Lab
- Scriptwriting & Storyboarding
- Survey of Digital Imaging & Lab
- Web Development : Flash
A multimedia animation program will include many or all of the courses listed below in addition to many of the courses listed above:
- 3D Animation
- 3D Foundation
- Advanced Game Techniques
- Art History Character Animation
- Character Rigging
- Digital Production
- Introduction to Animation
- Special Effects and Sound
- Storyboarding
On-campus and Online Graphics Degree Curriculums
A quality, accredited graphic design or computer graphics degree program will offer a coherent combination of visual, theoretical, historical, and technical courses. Accredited computer graphics and graphic design degree programs, regardless of format, require general education courses such as English, philosophy, chemistry, history, and literature.
Core computer graphics and graphic design courses may include, but are not limited to:
- Advanced Problem Solving in Package Design
- Advanced Problem Solving in Print Design
- Advanced Visual Design for the Web/Screen
- Animation
- Basic Letterform
- Basic Graphic Design
- Graphic Design Processes
- Graphic Design History
- History of Development of Graphic Design
- Image Use in Graphic Design
- Intermediate Graphic Design
- Special Topics
- Two-dimensional Design
- Typography
- Visual Design for the Web/Screen
Finding Online Graphics & MultiMedia Design Degree Programs
To locate top accredited online graphics & multimedia degree programs, students may explore offerings at on-campus colleges, search through comprehensive online directories such as Top Online Colleges, or use well-known search engines such as Bing, Ask or Google. Each online degree program will offer information on accreditation. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits most art and design programs, but not all. If your school lists an accrediting agency, check to make sure it is listed with the U.S. Department of Education.
Tip: In a competitive job market, employers look for individuals with 3-5 years of experience and a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Master’s degree holders account for 6% of all graphics & multimedia professionals. 30% hold a bachelor’s degree and 19% hold an associate degree. Associate degree holders typically work as assistants or other support positions.
