Studying Interactive Media Design: Degrees at a Glance
Interactive media design professionals fuse technical skills with artistic talent to create advertisements, marketing communications and other interactive media. Cutting-edge programs incorporate training in social media and modern Web technologies. The associate's degree program can prepare you for entry-level opportunities in a number of industries, including advertising, television and publishing. The bachelor's degree program provides an in-depth education and can lead to a career as an art director or a graphic designer.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that the employment outlook for the careers that use interactive media skills would vary. According to the BLS, desktop publishers were projected to see a 15% decline in jobs from 2010-2020, while graphic designers were expected to experience a 13% increase during that decade (www.bls.gov). Job opportunities were likely to be affected by overseas contracting, but candidates with strong computer graphics skills and artistic talent should enjoy good employment prospects.
| Associate's | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals interested in entry-level support or specialist positions in the entertainment, broadcasting or advertising industries | People who want to pursue a mid-level position in industries that uses various forms of media |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate median salary) | - Desktop publisher ($37,000)* - Audio-visual and multimedia collections specialist ($45,000)* | - Graphic designer ($44,000)* - Multimedia artist or animator ($61,000)* - Art director ($81,000)* |
| Time to Completion | 2 years, full-time | 4 years, full-time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | - General education courses - About 10-15 courses cover interactive media and related topics - Practicum/comprehensive project - Portfolio | - Roughly 16-20 courses covering interactive media - General education courses - Capstone project - Professional portfolio |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).
