The information age has initiated the digital media revolution. Both consumers and businesses are being introduced to information in a digital form of interactive text, images, animation, sound and video. At a rapid pace the demand for this new form of multimedia is increasing.
Accordingly, the demand for artists, designers, animators, video production personnel and multimedia authors who can create, design and produce content for this new digital media revolution currently exceeds the supply. The team of creative talent for the 21st century is forming now.
Most multimedia educational and computer animation programs in existence today were barely in their infancy ten years ago. Technology has a large role in education for this field. For the reason that the equipment is so expensive, it is almost impossible for individuals to create an environment to learn the skills themselves. The solution for potential students is to choose a school that is committed to maintaining the technology. Commonly, trainers work at companies in interactive industries and can provide students with job leads and recommendations.
• When choosing a school, the decision should be based on the teaching ability of a faculty and on the subject matter. Main industry specialists agree that a school that has programs geared toward digital media career preparation should offer:
• Fundamental art and design courses such as sketching, life drawing, characterization, modeling, painting, rendering, graphic design, storyboarding skills, color and light, cameras, and sound.
• Knowledge and experience with graphics software for image manipulation, computer paint, layout and design, two-dimensional and three-dimensional animation, multimedia authoring, video and special effects, audio and video non-linear editing, computer-aided drafting and three-dimensional modeling.
• Liberal arts studies, and skills in communication, interviewing, presentation, production, time management and portfolio and demo tape production.
The school curriculum should serve as a plan for success. The student development on the learned skills and competencies necessary to meet industry requirements, and the demo tape and portfolio completed at the end of the program is the tangible out-come of that plan.
Potential students must seriously analyze their capabilities and desires. Studying to draw, edit and animate is like learning to play a musical instrument - it’s for the most part a matter of practice and dedication. Employers seek for trained creative individuals who also demonstrate a passion and enthusiasm for building these interactive worlds. Enthusiasm and passion raise the discipline required to develop the skills for this field.
Much like an illustrator, production artist or calligrapher, the computer animation/multimedia specialist is a highly skilled and specialized artist. Graduates must plan applying their skills in positions such as computer animator, architectural simulation artist, broadcast graphics artist, animator for business applications, animator for computing/information technology, animator for corporate/industrial presentations, entertainment/edutainment animator, film animator, animator for interactive CDROM, animator for interactive television, paint box artist, special effects artist and animator, and animator/artist for titling and design.
It is easily reached for individuals who have artistic backgrounds coupled with hardware and software technology skills. The myth of 'starving artist' should be dispelled in the 21st century as institutions of higher learning focus on art and technology curricula that lead to successful creative careers.
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