Multimedia Arts Certificate Online
Multimedia Arts professionals bring together technical prowess with digital design tools and creativity based on a deep understanding and competence with artistic principles. In this 100% online course, you will gain proficiency in the core tools and practices for creating multimedia digital art. With hands-on projects that focus on essential skills across a broad range of visual media, including digital image retouching and compositing, web pages and interfaces, scripted and documentary video-making, color and typography studies, video and audio editing, and motion graphics.
Job Outlook for Multimedia Arts
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a 4% growth in job demand for Multimedia Artists and Animators between now and 2029. This matches the average expected growth for all jobs. The BLS expects the key factor driving growth to be an increase in demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, and television
- According to PayScale.com, multimedia artists and animators earn $58,294 per year, on average. Salaries for early-career multimedia artists and animators range from $34-75,000, with an average of $52,882 in the first four years of their careers.
Multimedia Arts Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Skills Do Multimedia Arts Professionals Require?
Multimedia artists use digital tools to bring creative designs to life. Most multimedia artists are skilled in one or more high-level digital art software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Many also capture and edit digital images in either static or video formats, create motion graphics for multimedia projects ranging from video games to web pages.
Where Do Multimedia Arts Professionals Work?
Multimedia artists generally collaborate with other design professionals in creative teams. Some work with digital media production companies to create graphics, images, videos and 3D models for either commercial or artistic projects. Others work independently from home or remote locations as either independent contractors or on a freelance basis.
What Job Titles Are Associated With Multimedia Arts Professionals?
Multimedia Arts professionals' job titles generally reflect their responsibilities in the creative process. Some job titles for multimedia artists include:
- Art Director
- Craft and Fine Artist
- Film and Video Editor
- Graphic Designer
- Producer
- Director
- Web Designer
- 3D animator
- Level designer
- Motion designer
- Motion graphics designer
- Multimedia artist
Course Objectives
- Learn the fundamentals of digital imaging and color theory
- Create standards-compliant web page layouts with HTML
- Understand various kinds of typography and how to create your own font
- Develop an entry-level understanding of video editing techniques
- Create motion graphic work in After Effects
- Develop proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects, which you need to know for most design-related jobs
- Use the multimedia items you create during class as portfolio pieces upon completion
Prerequisites and Requirements
There are no prerequisites to take this course, however, you must be 18 years old or older. It is recommended you have a high school diploma, GED, or state-approved home school equivalent.
Curriculum
Photoshop Basics
Get a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere digital imaging program for graphic and digital designers. Hands-on projects show how to select, enhance, distort, color, scale, and manipulate images and artworks—or create them from scratch. Every designer must tame this creative powerhouse of a program.
Intro to Motion
This course introduces topics of motion in animation and video through research and observation of real-life movement and movement in animation. You'll learn the basic principles of visible motion—including physics principles—and apply those principles to written analyses and practical explorations including flipbook-style animation. One of the main topics covered is the movement of objects and characters.
HTML and CSS Essentials
Learn to create websites using HTML to mark up the structure of the document, and CSS to dictate how each page element should look. Use HTML5 and CSS3 for cutting-edge enhancements. Course lessons are packed with hands-on examples that help you gain skills and confidence step-by-step. The course is designed to provide a foundation in web standards, the set of "best practices" established by the World Wide Web Consortium, among other organizations that set the standards for web development.
Typography
Explore the critical role of typography in graphic design. Course projects build an understanding of the anatomy of the letterform, the distinguishing features of different typefaces, and creative applications of type. An assured grasp of typography is essential in any visual communication project.
Digital Video Production and Editing
Learn how to control white balance, aperture, and shutter speed to get high-quality images from your digital video camera. Course lectures challenge you to think about different storytelling conventions in narrative and documentary movie-making and address the fundamentals of sound recording. You'll script and storyboard short movie sequences and develop an understanding of the various roles in the video post-production process. Additionally, you'll learn the art and craft of editing videos from two award-winning filmmakers.
After Effects I
Understand Adobe After Effects, a powerful application used to create motion graphics and visual effects for film and video. Learn how to employ After Effects to design sophisticated motion graphics by designing text and object animations, compositing videos and images, and adding audio and effects. You'll learn how to set keyframes on a timeline and work with transformations, motion paths, masks, and effects, developing a solid foundation in this increasingly popular and versatile program.
Instructors
Andrew Shalat
Andrew Shalat is an author, designer/illustrator, educator, and Mac expert. Since 1985, he has written hundreds of articles about Macintosh and has published three books: "How to Do Everything with Online Video," "Do It Yourself Mac Projects," and "MacDesign Out of the Box." He has been a speaker and faculty member of the Macworld Expo since 2001. Shalat is also a regular contributor to design and Macintosh related sites, including Inside Mac Radio, InDesign Magazine, and Creativepro.com, and MacWorld.
Margaret Penney
Margaret Penney is a teacher, designer, writer and media artist. Margaret developed the digital media curriculum at The Masters School, an independent school outside New York City. As a Web and motion graphic designer, Margaret has worked with Simon & Schuster, TIAA-Cref, Nike, Delia's girls clothing, MTV, and Sol Lewitt. As a new media artist, she has exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London; the Museo Tamayo in Mexico City; and around NYC. Her artwork has been reviewed globally online, in print magazines, and included in the book Eye Candy from the Underground: Fresh Styles for Web Designers. She has lectured on new media art at Purchase College, the School of Visual Arts Annual Conference for Educators, and the Pratt Institute. As a writer, she has been published in New York Arts magazine, Rhizome.org, and the Baltimore City paper. Margaret has a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and M.F.A. from Columbia University.
Registration and Enrollment
This course is open enrollment. You can enroll and begin anytime.