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