Multimedia and Web Design

Multimedia and Web Design professionals harness their creativity and combine visual design with information technology skills.

The word ‘multimedia’ means different things to different people. Students can do courses that concentrate on web design, while others teach elements of computer programming and software design. The multimedia and web design sectors look certain to continue to grow for the foreseeable future. As a result, graduates have excellent career prospects.

Education

There are a large number of Multimedia courses. Options include higher certificate and degree courses areas such as:

Communications & Multimedia
Multimedia Computing
Multimedia & Computer Games Design
Interactive Multimedia
Multimedia Applications Development

In addition, there are also a number of specific Web Design courses available.

Subject options include Visual Design, Media Studies, Web Authoring, E-Learning, Computer Programming, Social & Economic Studies, and Games Modelling Design. Students also learn how to use software programmes as well as sound and video editing software.

The Work

Graduates have a wide range of career options. Areas include web design, media, e-learning, gaming, and e-commerce. There are also opportunities in business, tourism, arts, journalism, the civil service, and several other sectors.

Multimedia designers usually work with a client or manager who provides them with a brief containing the content to include. The designer then suggests a number of ideas or structures. The designer creates and designs each of the elements, fits them together, as well as tests the finished product and resolves any problems.

Much like a regular designer, a web designer uses imagination and skill to create the finished product – a unique site that showcases the subject, product, or content as required. Sites can be for the Internet (public) or the intranet (accessible only within a company). The job may include design work on the ‘front end’ of the site (seen by the user), as well as programming and technical work on the ‘back end’ (the details visible only to the webmaster).

Other responsibilities that multimedia or web design professionals may have include writing content for websites and manuals, editing video and audio files and preparing them to be viewed or heard online, designing and implementing database or e-commerce solutions, and regularly updating and managing clients’ websites.

Multimedia is especially suited to students with a combination of interests in the media, humanities, and computing areas. Creativity, IT skills, teamwork, and an enthusiasm for new technologies are all important qualities.

Did you know?

The first webcam was used in a computer lab at Cambridge University. Its sole purpose was to monitor the coffee levels of a particular coffee maker in order to avoid wasted trips to an empty pot.