Home » Online Multimedia Web Design Degrees and Programs

Online Multimedia Web Design Degrees and Programs

Ever looked at a website and been wowed by its multimedia functions? Whether it's the animation on the page, the Flash attributes or an interactive feature, you're looking at the skills of a multimedia web designer in action. Just think of the playable Les Paul guitar recently posted on the Google home page in honor of what would have been the guitar virtuoso's 96th birthday.

Multimedia web designers integrate interactive and non-interactive features to give a page presence, and differentiate it from similar sites. Multimedia web designers often discover new ways to use features and even branch out into related fields.

Multimedia web design training at all levels

From brief coursework programs to advanced education, training in multimedia web design can be catered to a range of career goals. Education at the following levels includes:

Certificate/diploma: A certificate or diploma generally requires nine months of training or less and integrates coursework in web development, technologies, programs and more.
Associate degree: An associate degree takes two years to complete and introduces classes in web audio and video, 3-D animation and desktop publishing.
Bachelor's degree: This four-year degree program gives students knowledge in different applications, environments, interfaces and more and an opportunity to gain business skills.
Master's degree: Depending on the student's interests, an art-centered MFA or a technology-focused MS could be ideal for graduate study.

Benefits of online degrees in multimedia web design

Online multimedia web design degrees could be fitting because training occurs through the medium that is being studied. Students become familiar with programs like Adobe Photoshop and Flash and are able to access discussion threads, web links and other materials online. As they study new topics, they can explore the Internet for examples and look for applications that can help direct their learning.

Careers in multimedia web design

In general, multimedia web designers are skilled communicators. They have strong verbal and visual skills that help them to communicate and understand their clients and create pieces that meet client needs. Creative thinking and computer and technology understanding are helpful to multimedia web designers. They can also seek jobs as animators, illustrators, video game designers and web site developers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 26,000 people were employed in the U.S. as multimedia artists and animators in 2010 and earned mean annual wages of $63,440. Upon graduation, multimedia web designers can work in a freelance capacity, create sites for individual clients, or join up with a specialized design firm or company with evolving needs.

Multimedia web design at a glance

Essential skills: computer skills, attention to detail, customer service
Mean annual wage for multimedia artists and animators: $63,440
Most popular industries: specialized design services, motion picture and video industries, newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers
Popular programs: Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Web Studio

See details