Interactive Media Design Degree

What is Interactive Media Design?

Interactive media refers to any electronic device that responds to a human command in a specified manner. This includes everything from video games to search engines, mobile devices and other media projects. Advertising and social media has also created several applications of Interactive Media Design. IMD helps connect businesses and educational institutes from all over the world and interact with each other. There are countless applications of this technology-based degree.

How to get an Interactive Media Design Degree?

To enter this field, you need to fulfill certain educational requirements. Interactive Media Design programs offer a comprehensive education that helps in developing interactive content. Typically, students go for either a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in this field and are taught the use of basic technologies like Dreamweaver and Photoshop. In addition to that, students might also get the opportunity to expand their understanding in areas such as media fundamentals, animation and graphic designing.

Associate’s Degree in Interactive Media Design

This is a 2-year degree that helps students develop skills in the design of advertising materials for various types of campaigns along with websites and print production. Students in such a program are taught the use of various computer technologies and applications and learn how to create design elements and other forms of interactive media. Graduating with this degree would enable students to maintain applications, web pages and websites. Typical courses in this degree would include some basic level general education courses and professional study components.

Here is a list of what you can expect to learn from an associate degree in Interactive Media Design:

• Web-page development
• Project management
• Video technology
• Image manipulation
• Computer-aided drafting
• Digital photography

Bachelor’s Degree in Interactive Media Design

This is a 4-year program that would enable students to use animation, text, images, audio, video and other similar elements to form interactive content. Students might get to focus on programming and designing along with the artistic aspects involved. They may develop interactive concepts for application in various kinds of businesses. This is the ideal degree for those interested in computer applications and artistry, though others may pursue it as well.

Typical courses offered in a bachelor’s degree in Interactive Media Design might include the following:

• Design and drawing
• Screen and graphic design
• Digital imaging
• Video and audio works
• Web development
• Interactive information design

Learning Objectives of an Interactive Media Design Degree

Upon completion of an Interactive Media Design degree, students should be able to do the following:

• Understand the theories and concepts related to analysis, development, design and evaluation of interactive media concerns
• Grasp the dynamics of various kinds of technological infrastructure that is needed to support interactive media designing
• Create interactive media concepts according to the needs of various customers
• Use statistical methods to determine the utility of interactive media
• Maintain optimal communication throughout the different stages of creating an interactive media product
• Collaborate with the relevant teams and work effectively and creatively

Colleges that Offer Interactive Media Design Degrees

Many colleges across the country are offering academic degrees in Interactive Media Design. Here is a quick list that might give you a head start in your college search:

• University of Southern California
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• University of California – Irvine
• New York University
• University of Miami
• Michigan State University
• University of Denver
• Hanover College
• University of Texas
• University of Utah
• Chapman University
• Quinnipiac University
• Christian Brothers University
• Saint Edward’s University
• Bennington College
• Skagit Valley College
• Rasmussen College Kansas
• The Art Institute of Wisconsin
• New York Film Academy
• Broadview University
• The Art Institute of San Francisco

In addition to these, there are many colleges offering Interactive Media Design degrees in the online format. If you are already working and intend on keeping your job, you might want to opt for this option.

Careers in Interactive Media Design

Once you have graduated with an Interactive Media Design degree, the next step is to start looking for a job. Potential employment options would include the following:

• Graphic designer
• Interactive media consultant
• Video game developer
• Animator
• Web developer
• Social media coordinator

Career Outlook for Multimedia Artists and Animators

*Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Work environment for professionals with an Interactive Media Design degree typically involves working from home or on site for the client. Most people in this field are self-employed and do intensive freelance work. However, big design houses might offer worthy employment opportunities to aspiring designers, in which case, they would be working regular hours in an office setting.

Related Occupations

Other occupations where you may be able to find a job include the following:

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

The field of interactive media design is on a rise. Get the right education and you might be able to find really amazing employment opportunities in this field.