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Multimedia Designer  What They Do

  • What They Do
  • What To Learn
  • Money And Outlook
  • Connections
  • Interviews
  • Real Life Activities
  • Add to Portfolio
  • Start a Career Plan

Insider Info

dotMultimedia designers create programs and applications such as websites, DVDs, CD-ROMs and games for the Internet. They can also work in print design and publishing.

As their job title suggests, they work in a variety of different areas of media. A good multimedia designer needs to be artistic, be able to design, and have some technical know-how, because there can be a lot of computer work involved.

Multimedia products can combine graphics, sound, text, animation, still images and digital video into one package. A multimedia designer is someone who works in the multimedia industry, usually specializing in one or two of these areas.

The duties of a multimedia designer can vary widely. A designer may do everything from brainstorming ideas to developing graphics to writing computer code.

"When I hire someone, I look for a broad, well-rounded educational background, because you never know what area you're going to be dealing in," says David Schulman. He's a multimedia designer.

Neil Cooke-Dallin is a designer who works in multimedia. He agrees that this is a broad field.

"With the trends in computing and the Internet, it covers more and more every day," says Cooke-Dallin when asked what exactly a multimedia designer does. "It is increasingly important to have a base level of skills in areas such as print design (posters, letterhead, business cards), publishing (page layout, brochures), web design (HTML, possibly PHP and other scripting languages), interactive or rich media applications (Flash), typography, photography, and illustration."

A multimedia project can involve a lot of people. Sometimes you'll be working alone, from home. Sometimes you'll be in an office, working with other people.

"At its best, multimedia draws on a lot of different areas, so teamwork is important," says Schulman. "Your interpersonal skills have to be good."

While some multimedia specialists work for major companies on a permanent basis, most work on a contract basis. They take on contracts, or projects. Many designers have their own companies and work with a team of other multimedia designers.

"Designers can work for companies like Disney, but most work as a stand-[alone] person from their homes," says Ron Rogers. He's the managing director of a multimedia recruiting firm. "Most everyone does contract work."

Web page design is a big part of multimedia designers' work these days. You'll need to be Internet-savvy if you plan on entering this career!

Most of the work is done at a desk. There aren't very many physical demands, other than the physical stress that can come with spending most of the day sitting.

Most multimedia designers work a 40-hour week. This may vary, however, if they're working on a big project. Many designers who own their own companies work longer hours because they have to take on more responsibility in marketing, sales and administration.

At a Glance

Create programs for use on the Internet or CD-ROM

  • Knowledge of all the aspects of multimedia is important
  • A well-rounded educational background is an asset
  • A college or university program is usually required for this career


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