Combining The Technical With The Artistic For Conveying Information: Multimedia Communications Degree
With our globally connected world, communication is a much more vital part of everyday life than ever before. Thanks to technological advances, there are also now more ways than ever before to communicate ideas and information. If you want to be a part of this exciting and ever evolving field, then a degree in multimedia communication can help to prepare you. It offers you the opportunity to not only sharpen your technical proficiency, but also your artistic techniques. The technical skills you learn are valuable for a variety of industries and can lead to a number of very rewarding career paths if you love being creative.
Online Multimedia Communications Degree Information
The multimedia communications degree is available at associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Obtaining an associate’s degree can give you a basic understanding of the field from where you can then continue your studies by using a bachelor’s degree to broaden your understanding or choosing an area on which to focus.
Associate of Arts Degree in Multimedia Communications
The Multimedia Communications (A.A.) degree is designed to enhance your skills in visual, written, oral and many other forms of communication. The knowledge you gain while completing this course should adequately prepare you for the use of multimedia technology as a means of effectively communicating information. The course should also expose you to working with a variety of digital media while you create your own portfolio of work to showcase your abilities in the field. Although obtaining an associate degree in this field can be adequate for entry level positions in the workforce, you can also continue on to a four year bachelor’s program to expand your options. This type of course is useful if you are interested in becoming a web publisher, online producer, multimedia designer, new media developer, content editor and related fields. Subjects typically include website development, intercultural communication, digital photography, digital image manipulation and more. Multimedia Communications is also available as an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Bachelor of Multimedia Communication
With a Bachelor of Multimedia Communication you typically begin by gaining an understanding of the fundamental aspects of art and design. Areas of multimedia communication covered by these type of courses include graphic design, web design as well as working with 3D elements and video editing. Completing this degree can help to prepare you for a number of careers in the digital media industry. These include, but are not limited to animators, digital artists, technical directors, digital effect painters, compositors and visual effects supervisors. Because this degree combines elements from courses such as digital media production and journalism & public relations, it is a good option if you are not yet sure of what communication field you want to work in after graduation.
Master of Multimedia Communication
For students who are interested in the more advanced aspects of multimedia communication, a master’s degree in the field is useful. Students can typically also choose the specific subjects that are in the field of multimedia communication to focus on. Most courses at this level include topics such as digital communications, advanced communications, visual culture and mass communications before culminating in a master thesis. Completing a master’s degree usually takes a year or two.
Online Multimedia Communications Degree FAQs
Is It Possible To Study Multimedia Communications Online?
Whether you are a working professional who simply want to hone your skills in the field or a complete newcomer who want to learn all the basics before moving on to more advance courses, you’ll be able to do so online. These types of courses are typically available in a completely online format or as hybrid courses, which are done partially online. Completing this type of course online is not only more convenient as you can work at your own pace, but in most cases also more cost effective.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate To Enroll In An Multimedia Communications Degree Program?
The two most important requirements for doing well in the field of multimedia communications is having good communication skills and being creative. It is also an area of study where you must have a love for technology in its various forms as you will be using it no matter which career path you take. Being visually oriented is useful and since you’ll often work with teams of other people it is good to have decent interpersonal skills. It is definitely a field for someone who is savvy with social media, comfortable with all forms of electronic communication and interested in keeping up with new trends as well as technology in the field.
What Type of Duties Might I Have When Working In This Field?
There are a number of different career paths and areas of specialization within the field of multimedia communication, so your duties will depend on where you are employed as well as your job title. For example, if you are employed as a multimedia communications specialist, you could be tasked with videographer duties as well as creating electronic content and performing graphic designer tasks. Daily activities can include anything from taking photos and creating videos to designing print and electronic marketing pieces or writing web content.
What Type Of Salary Can I Potentially Earn When Working In The Field of Multimedia Communications?
Due to the number of different career types in this field, the type of salary you can potentially earn will also differ dramatically. For example, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, multimedia artists and animators eared a median pay of $75,270 per year during 2019 while the median hourly wage for broadcast technicals during the same period was $19.51.
What Are The Other Benefits To Studying Multimedia Communications?
In addition to the multimedia communications skills you learn as part of your course, it will also sharpen a range of other related skills that are valuable for any type of industry. These include problem-solving skills, critical thinking as well as verbal and nonverbal communication.