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Jobs In Digital Media




Author: Bill Fischer, professor of Digital Media, Kendall College of Art and Design
of Ferris State University.


Image: Kendall Digital Media student Steve Heneveld: still-frame from a short film.


 Jobs In Digital Media 

New artists and designers must balance the breadth and depth of their skills. Small studios value the creatives that can wear two, three or more hats well, where large studios can afford to have specialists with a deep tool box in a single area. Most studios that lie geographically between the East and West coasts fall into the small to mid-size category and are not usually focused in entertainment arts. If a young creative wants to work in the entertainment industry, moving to the one of the coasts should be on their to-do lists. Although there are some artists and designers serving that industry on a freelance basis from outside of those centers. Also, advertising, education, training and information media is become more entertainment-based. "Game-ification" of everything is all the rage right now. Recently, Kendall students worked with Brown Bear Studios to create a series of iPad games for the Steelcase Corporation that trains shipping dock workers in effective packaging and loading of furniture into trucks.


  Take-Aways: 
  • Young creatives that wish to work in most studios between the East and West coast (including Michigan) should have a diverse skill set.
  • Those wishing to work as specialists in the entertainment arts should consider freelancing or moving to NY or LA to pursue their careers.
  • The entertainment arts are being integrated into places where it was not previously prevalent; Advertising, education, training and informational media.




 DIGITAL MEDIA JOBS 


  Color key:  
Imaging    3d Modeling/Animation    Interactive Design     2D Animation
Video and Motion Graphics      Sound Design


  3D Entertainment Arts  
(game, animation, film, app)

concept artist
storyboard artist
matte painter
modeler(character, environment)
lighting, surfacing, effects
layout (setting up scenes)
character animator
editor
director
Interface graphic designer
sound designer

  2D Entertainment Arts  
(game, animation, film, app)

concept artist
storyboard artist
character/prop designer
background designer
layout (setting up scenes)
Interface graphic designer
color/effects artist
character animator
producer
editor
director
sound designer


  Imaging:  
(editorial, retail, comic, info-graphic)
digital painting style illustrator
digital graphic style illustrator
art director
3d modeler
interface graphic designer
character animator
motion graphics animator

  Video and Motion Graphics  
(tv, web, film, corporate)

storyboard artist
3d modeler/animator
videographer
editor
Motion Graphics Animator
effects artist
producer
director
character animator
sound designer

  Interactive Media  
(web, mobile, pads)
info-graphics illustrator
iconographic illustrator
user experience designer
interface graphic designer
interface (front end) programmer
user experience tester
director
3d modeler/animator
motion graphics animator
sound designer


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