Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Multimedia and Animation
Majors Overview February 5, 2015Students in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Multimedia, along with digital media, will be prepared to work in films, television, game design, Web design, and various types of interactive media and will be offered concentration options in animation. Those that graduate will have the knowledge and skills needed for careers involving motion graphics, character animations, special effects, 2-D, and 3-D.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Multimedia and Animation
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in multimedia and animation are provided with the skills and technical knowledge necessary to seek entry-level careers in animation, in addition to a firm foundation in design and art principles.
Schools offer programs in the field in numerous formats, such as bachelor’s degrees in information technology, digital media, or multimedia studies; a concentration area in animation may be included in the programs. The curriculum comprises essential components, such as the skills needed for professional advancement, including the skills related to the creation and presentation of a professional portfolio, in addition to technical writing.
Students typically take four years to earn a bachelor’s degree and may be required to participate in a film competition or complete other additional work in lieu of practical experience. Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma.
Coursework
Coursework features a comprehensive exposure to animation-centered subjects, in addition to digital media. Courses in traditional art may include topic areas such as the study of art history and color, figures and motion, and form and space, in addition to basic drawing. The curriculum may include these subjects:
•Graphic design
•Post production for digital media
•Interactive design
•Digital video editing
•2-D and 3-D design
•Character animation
•Web design
•Motion graphics
•Film
Career Choices
Graduates are armed with an in-depth comprehension of techniques and technologies related to animation and multimedia and can seek entry-level occupations in numerous fields and positions, such as:
•Digital video editor
•3-D animator
•Game designer
•Web designer
•Multimedia artist
Job and Wage Outlook
A slower-than-average job growth rate of 8% has been predicted for multimedia artists and animators over the 2010 – 2020 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these experts banked an average annual salary of $61,370. Film and video editors, for whom a job growth rate of 5% has been predicted between 2010 and 2020, took home an average annual salary of $51,300.
Over the 2010 – 2020 decade, a faster-than-average growth rate of 22% has been predicted for Web designers (grouped alongside computer network architects, Web developers, and information security analysts). In May 2012, these professionals earned an average annual wage of $62,500.
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree may seek continuing education by earning a master’s degree in multimedia, which can typically be completed in two years and would allow them to choose a specialized area of concentration.