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What is a digital media job?

Digital media specialists design and develop content for video games, websites, animation, special effects and marketing initiatives. If analytics are your special talent, you can also find jobs working with information technology and web analytics. Preparation for a career in digital media varies.

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Careers in digital media are much sought after. Digital media specialists design and develop content for video games, websites, animation, special effects and marketing initiatives. If analytics are your special talent, you can also find jobs working with information technology and web analytics. Preparation for a career in digital media varies. In some cases, you might be surprised to discover that a strong portfolio can be more important than formal education. If you are a genius at what you do, many companies will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, without having a post-secondary degree in that field. Other jobs, like computer programming, may require specialized training or a college degree. Careers in digital media include video game design, social media marketing, graphic designer, production assistant, video editor, web application developer, web analytics specialists, and even photography. In most cases, you may begin as an assistant or as a grunt laborer, but if you are talented and have a can-do attitude, opportunities to move up the ladder are plentiful. Being creative, having an understanding of digital media, and the ability to program and design for the web, are critical skills for this career field. Demonstrating experience, even as a volunteer or as an intern, will also add to your ability to land a job in digital media.

Video Game Designer

Becoming a video game designer is more complicated than you might think it is. In addition to having creative concept design ideas, a video game designer must have a high-level of understanding of software development and its application across a broad variety of computer platforms. Often, a person working in this career in digital media does so independently, as a consultant. Strong communication skills are necessary to build coalitions with companies that are seeking video game designers. In addition, success is often predicated upon market research on new and existing products. Some designers connect with players on game forums to seek opinions about optimal game formats and learn about hot, new trends. If you are interested in academic preparation for this career, consider pursuing a degree in game programming and development. Classes in this major include: graphics game engine design, software development, scripting, and digital multimedia development. Practical experience is paramount and will help you develop a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and experience. If you develop a game on your own or if you work as an intern for a company, include examples of this work in your portfolio. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual salary for a game programmer was $70,530, in 2017. You may earn more, if you work for a larger company, or if you have several clients as an independent contractor.

Graphic Designer and Artist

Virtually everything that you look at in print or on the web involves the work of a graphic designer. Using artistic talent, in combination with specialized software, graphic designers create logos, product labels, webpage images, posters, newspaper ads and media images. Some graphic designers make fluid imagery for commercials or connect taglines to images for marketing purposes. Often, a graphic designer will create an entire branding campaign to create an identity for a company or business. The images and art that are designed by a graphic artist is like telling a story through pictures. Like other careers in digital media, a graphic designer must have an extensive portfolio that demonstrates artistic talent and technical skills in software programs like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. An electronic portfolio or a personal website will impress prospective employers. Larger corporations may require an undergraduate degree in art and graphic design. This degree program includes classes like: web page scripting, web page design, digital illustration, traditional typography, and business graphic design. You can round out your education with marketing and computer technology classes. The median, annual salary for a graphic designer was $48,700, in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you are self-employed, your pay could vary, depending upon the amount and the type of clients that you secure.

Multimedia Artist and Animator

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An animator has a career in digital media that brings images to life. Working in the television, marketing, and film industries, an animator creates moving images to reinforce specific concepts or content. If you have watched a cartoon, you have seen the work of an animator. Similarly, commercials and web advertising often feature products that are in motion. This, too, is the work of a digital animator. Many animators are self-employed, but large companies and the motion picture industry hire in-house animators for more substantial work. If you want to break into this career in digital media, earning an undergraduate degree in digital animation is the best preparation. You will take classes such as storyboarding, interactive flash design, modeling, photo imaging and 3D animation. In 2017, the average, annual pay for a multimedia artist and animator was $70,530, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can earn more, if you land a prestigious film or large-scale marketing contract. The advent of digital cameras has evolved conventional photography into a digital media career. Instead of developing pictures, using chemicals and photographic paper, digital photography uses advanced technology to capture images in a computer file format. An advanced understanding of digital photography equipment is needed to be successful in this field. Mastering the use of image sensors, picture depth, aperture, dynamic range, pixel size and white balance are just a few of the skills needed to be an expert in digital photography. In addition to taking pictures, a digital photographer uses specialized skills and knowledge to edit images. Computer technology enables image resizing, cropping, filtering and digital panoramas to be created by the photographer, in the editing process. Professional digital photographers mainly work as independent contractors. In addition to personal photography like weddings and family portraits, digital photographers take pictures of people, places and products for ad slicks, websites, and magazines. While post-secondary education is not required for this career in digital media, many colleges offer courses that teach the nuances of working with digital technology. In 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the median, annual pay for photographers was $32,490.

Social Media Specialist

If an understanding of social media is your expertise, you might consider becoming a social media specialist. The use of social media platforms is a driving force in marketing and brand development. Organizations use social media to advertise events, recruit employees, announce new products, and educate the public. A combination of public relations and marketing, a social media specialist has their finger on the pulse of customers and uses social media messaging to sway consumer opinions, at the drop of a tweet. An in-depth understanding of social media platforms is a necessity for this career in digital media. Most major companies require an undergraduate degree for this position. You can choose from public relations, communications, business or marketing for your major. If you develop an on-line following or, work as an intern for an online business, you can bolster your experience working in social media. In 2015, the average, annual pay for public relations specialists was $56,770, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Web App Developer

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Focusing on the development of network and web-based applications, a web app developer is a software engineer that often works as an independent contractor. A Web app developer is called upon for a variety of computer software needs. Common duties include writing code for programming applications, creating page links and uploading web content, developing unique software for websites, and installing software programs. Web app developers are also called upon to problem solve or debug computer glitches, analyze and test software, determine strengths and weaknesses, and conduct data flow checking. Earning an undergraduate degree in information technology or system development is the best way to learn the skills necessary for this career in digital media. You will take classes like: information security, networking, information technology ethics, computer technology, and software design. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the median, annual pay for software developers was $103,560, in 2017. This fast-growing career field is expecting a 24 percent growth in available positions, from now until 2026.

Video and Digital Editor

A video editor uses raw footage to create a work of art that captures the essence of a specific project. Operating from a prescribed script, a video editor organizes footage and adds special effects, dialogue, music and animation to tell a powerful story. In addition to formatting footage, a video editor configures the project into a medium such as a DVD, motion picture, or a web-based video. Most video editors work as independent contractors, but large production companies may have full-time editors on staff. The ability to work independently, to be creative and have strong knowledge of video editing equipment and software is essential for this career in digital media. Specific degree programs in digital editing are few and far between, but you can gain knowledge by majoring in film and multimedia production. Classes like audio production, post-production, video scripting, communication, and video filmmaking will provide a solid foundation for a career as a video and digital editor. The median, annual salary for film and video editors was $59,300 in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Motion picture companies report higher salaries.

Web Analytics Specialist

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