Multimedia Design

Why study Multimedia Design?

Multimedia Design is responsible for transmitting different types of messages through the use of different media, graphics, audiovisuals, etc., along with communication techniques.

What is Multimedia Design about?

Multimedia Design is perhaps the most comprehensive degree within the world of design, since it allows you to learn and combine different communication techniques with a wide variety of knowledge linked to the creation of audiovisual content. The combination of texts, images, sounds, animations, etc., gives the professional in this discipline the possibility of transmitting the message, the client's products in a dynamic and creative way that will produce the best result. In this way, we could say that Multimedia Design combines the best of the design, communication and advertising disciplines to generate an attractive multimedia message that achieves the objectives of promoting a product. A developed product may take different forms: from a simple audiovisual production, to a 2D or 3D animation product, another containing special effects, an interactive website or even a web application as a complement to the product to be promoted or as a product in itself.

What tasks does a Multimedia Designer perform?

Once the product or service to be promoted and the communication objectives have been received, the Multimedia Designer will create a project, identifying, in order to achieve the most favorable result, the graphic or audiovisual media to be used. In this way they will be able to combine texts, images, sounds, animations, special effects, animations, etc. They will also be trained to program web pages or applications, software, create modeling, etc. With all these tools at hand, they will seek, through their knowledge of communication, the most suitable ones for transmitting the message.

What is the job market for the Multimedia Designer?

The job placement possibilities for a professional in this degree are endless, thanks to the breadth of knowledge acquired and the possibility of applying it to different fields. Many choose to work independently, creating their own company, or simply carrying out custom projects and gradually building their career. Beyond this, you can participate in projects or lead them in any of the following fields: advertising agencies; television production companies; software development companies; marketing companies; electronic publications; web application development; creation and development of video games; in the advertising, promotion or press department of any company or government agency; in teaching; etc.

What is studied in Multimedia Design?

Of course there will be numerous variations in the curricula, as it is such a comprehensive degree, but some of the basic subjects you will encounter are: Text Production; Multimedia Language; Aesthetics; Communication Theory; Video Production; Graphic Design; Technical Drawing; Computer Animation; Programming; Advertising, Marketing; Digital Illustration; Website Design and Administration; etc.

Advantages of studying Multimedia Design

It is a good career to work independently and create your own company.
Your work will depend largely on the use of your creativity.
You will gain very broad knowledge, from numerous areas, and you will need to train constantly, so you will avoid stagnation in your career.
The number of job alternatives, applying your knowledge in developing a multimedia project or simply using part of it, is immense.
The studies you complete will allow you to work anywhere in the world.

Disadvantages of studying Multimedia Design

It is a trendy degree, so you will find many professionals like you, and you will face competition when job hunting.
Choose your place of study carefully, as you may encounter low-quality institutes or whose diplomas are not officially recognized.
If you choose to work independently, your work will start slowly and gradually, until you make a name for yourself in the field.

Where can you study Multimedia Design?

In each country you will find variations in the length and complexity of Multimedia Design courses. From courses where you will only learn basic notions and some software programs, through holistic training in the field of design and communication, to master’s degrees and specialization courses.

Argentina: The Universidad Nacional de La Plata offers the Bachelor’s degree and Teaching degree in Multimedia Design, with a duration of 5 years for both qualifications together. The Escuela de Arte Multimedial Da Vinci offers the degree in Multimedia Design, which lasts 3 years. At UADE you can study the Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia and Interaction Design, over 4 years.

Spain: The Escuela Universitaria de Diseño e Innovación offers you the Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia and Graphic Design, lasting 4 years. At the Universitat de Valencia you have the Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Engineering, also lasting 4 years. The Escola Superior d'Imatge I Disseny (IDEP) in Barcelona has a master’s degree in Interactive Digital Design and Motion Graphics.

Mexico: The Universidad Anáhuac includes in its academic offering the Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Design. It lasts 4 years. The Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, meanwhile, offers you the Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia and Digital Animation, also 4 years long.

Fun Fact: One of the most common options today in Multimedia Design is the creation of web applications with multimedia content. The high demand for this type of application brings to light some that range from what we might call creative, curious, or questionably useful. Some examples: an anti-mosquito web application that emits ultrasound to fight them (but that we cannot hear); another that lets you schedule a fake call at a certain time, in which a voice will be heard on the speaker, so you can escape an obligatory visit or a date that is not working out. Another application tells you, when you are watching a movie, which moments are the least interesting, in case you have to go to the bathroom or make a phone call, and when you return it gives you a summary of the parts you missed.