Training beyond high school is usually required to become a multimedia specialist. However, this training can take a variety of forms. A degree program usually does not include multimedia specialist training. Participating in classes, workshops, or seminars offered by a variety of organizations may be one of your training options. Another option is to enroll in a two- or four-year college and pursue a degree in a multimedia-related field.
Multimedia specialists are primarily responsible for the creation of interactive media. A final product may contain several components. It’s not uncommon to combine sound, animation, graphics, and text in a single project. Multimedia specialists can make interactive videos, websites, CDs, DVDs, digital film or video, and video games for a variety of purposes, such as education, business, or media projects. Training requirements may differ depending on the field in which the multimedia specialist wishes to work.
Multimedia-related degrees are available at both two-year and four-year colleges. A degree in multimedia journalism or multimedia design, for example, could lead to a career as a multimedia specialist. Those who want to work in the news media, for example, should consider a multimedia journalism degree. Students will learn how to write and package stories in unique, interactive formats as part of this degree, which often combines multimedia and journalism courses. If a student is unsure of or does not have a preference for a specialty, a multimedia design degree may be more general and allow for a wider range of employment options.
Because the majority of multimedia specialists’ work is done on a computer, they must have a strong technical background. It’s possible that knowledge of computer codes and programming systems will be required. Computer science, programming, computer graphics and design, desktop publishing, and computer animation are some other courses that may be useful. Multimedia specialists, for example, are frequently required to have a working knowledge of CSS and HTML design. Instructional design is also crucial for ensuring that the final interactive product is understandable.
While some multimedia specialists work for educational institutions or media outlets, the majority work for multimedia companies. Because each multimedia project has so many components, a firm’s specialist may specialize in one area, such as animation, while another employee focuses on graphics. Working as part of a team is common, so communication and interpersonal skills are essential for becoming a multimedia specialist.