Why are these jobs Emerging? They fit the category of: -- New occupations created by technological innovations, shifting markets, or regulations As the ability to use computers to bring together text, graphic art, sound, animation, and video to educate, inform and entertain, specialized occupations emerge that require specific knowledge and skills. "Something extraordinary is happening on a global scale. Five mega-industries -- personal computing, consumer electronics, publishing, entertainment, and telecommunications -- are converging. 

By the year 2000. almost everything we see on TV, read in print, view at the theater, and receive over wires or airwaves will be easily accessible and available anywhere, at any time. One of the great challenges with this incredible array of digital information is to provide interfaces and searching mechanisms that allow people to sift this information. Multimedia represents intuitive and realistic ways for people to sort through this digital web." Multimedia Demystified: A Guide to the World of Multimedia from Apple Computer, Inc. Overview Have you ever played or seen someone play a video game? If so, you are already acquainted with at least one form of multimedia*. 

Or perhaps you've been in an airport lately and noticed or had occasion to use a kiosk where simply pressing pictures or buttons on a screen provided information about local hotels, restaurants and rental cars or even printed a custom map showing the route from the airport to the destination you selected. This is another form of multimedia, or as it is also called, new media. 

Multimedia uses computers to bring together text, sounds, animation, graphic art and video to educate, inform and entertain. Many experts believe that multimedia will fundamentally change the way people learn, communicate and entertain themselves in the future. It will do so by allowing the user to choose and customize how and what information he or she receives and when it is received. Unlike linear media such as film and video, users can interact with multimedia, directing the sequence, speed and other aspects of the presentation. A number of successful multimedia developers have commented upon the benefit of spending significant amounts of time experiencing already completed projects.

A day spent at a video arcade can provide a wealth of information about multimedia games. Many schools use multimedia products in their curriculum as do businesses and other organizations in their training programs. Information kiosks in shopping centers and airports can also provide experience with interactive multimedia. These types of direct experience can offer a personal understanding and appreciation of the components of multimedia (such as graphics, animation, video, sound, interface design** and mode of interactivity) as well as a basis for evaluating what "works" and what doesn't work.

Since multimedia seeks to compel or at least invite the user to enter the created environment, the multimedia developer must always be cognizant of the reaction of the user to the program. A technically superb product that is not interesting, easy to navigate, or useful to the user will not be considered a success.

The developer must know who the user is and what experiences he or she wants that user to have and then provide an environment that creates that experience. The entire project from beginning to end must be conceptualized, designed and executed with this goal continually in mind. At its most basic level, multimedia is a tool that provides access to information. The heart of a really good multimedia product is a clear path from the user to the information he or she is seeking. People working in the industry create this path. 

Currently, there is no agreement on a standard definition of the term "multi-media." Although technically, multimedia is the convergence of two or more forms of media, the popular usage of the term implies using computers to create multimedia products which are then distributed not just on computers, but on any electronic medium including television, kiosk, the Internet and the World Wide Web. 

Likewise, "multimedia industry" is a general term often used to identify businesses and people who create, promote, or distribute multimedia products. However, it should be understood that this definition is not really accurate since multimedia is not a discrete industry, but rather a form of communication that can be applied to any industry. Since no standard definitions exist, this Guide relies upon the general or popularly understood meanings of these two terms. 

** An interface is the way the computer screen looks and how the user moves around in the program. It includes everything that the user sees, hears and touches while using the program. "The next step beyond the presentation of information is the ability to interact with it. The user can stop and rerun a video or animated sequence, jump to some detailed information reference, see a simulation of something, or jump to a completely different area of the presentation.

The computer changes from a sequential player of information to a tool for exploring all of the information through many different paths."

*** Interactive multimedia products are created to provide the user with autonomy in selecting their own path to the information they want. Developers of such products must understand and be sensitive and responsive to the various ways that users will want to access information. 

The term "multimedia specialist" is sometimes used to describe a person working in the multimedia industry. The term itself, however, does not describe the work a person does but only the environment or industry in which he or she works. The final multimedia product might be an electronic book or magazine, a kiosk, a corporate training program, an interactive game, or educational program. To create such a product requires contributions from experts in many specialized areas. 

Therefore a multimedia specialist might be someone who creates the program's content (such as a graphic designer, an animator, or a videographer), or someone who processes the content into a final product (such as a sound, video or text editor, or a computer programmer), or someone who manages these people and processes (such as a producer, director, or a project manager). Each of these people becomes a member of the multimedia project team, combining his or her special talents and experience with those of other experts to produce the final product. 

*** Bove, Tony and Cheryl Rhodes.

Official Macromedia Director Studio. 
New York: Random House, 1994, p. 8. The book Careers in Multimedia (a Ziff-Davis Press publication by Vivid Studios, 1995) lists the following 32 roles or occupations: 

Multimedia has been around for a number of years, but it is only within the past few years that it has been recognized as a rapidly emerging new industry. As the above list indicates, this emerging industry is creating many new career and job opportunities for people with knowledge and skills in these areas. An important and interesting difference between careers in multimedia and many other career areas is the large proportion of freelance workers in the industry. 

Many people with careers in multimedia are not steadily employed by a single company or employer, but rather move from project to project working on a contractual basis. Each new project may bring together a different collaboration of professionals into what might be considered a "virtual company" with a life limited to the duration of the project. These professionals create a virtual workforce who are often paid by the hour and expect their current employment to terminate with the end of the project. 

Therefore, these freelance workers must have a number of entrepreneurial skills in addition to their technical skills. They must also be able to work effectively as a member of a team whose membership changes with each project. Another difference between careers in multimedia and many other careers is the extent to which those wanting to enter this field gain initial experience through interning or volunteering. 

It is quite common for someone with basic computer or graphic skills to locate a company doing the type of work in which he or she is interested and approach the company directly with the offer to work without pay in exchange for on-the-job training.

After a period of six months to one year the company may offer a paid position to incumbents who shows promise. There are many career opportunities for creative and talented people in the multimedia industry. The industry is currently at a point in its evolution where entry and advancement are not tied as closely to academic achievement or credentials as to the quality of a person's contribution to the project. Enthusiasm combined with experience and talent often generate employment offers.

INFORMATION COMMON TO ALL MULTIMEDIA JOBS 

Job Skills Needed:

• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to clearly communicate ideas.
• Ability to quickly and accurately understand the goals and objectives of the project.
• Ability to be organized.
• Ability to use the computer tools required to complete the project. 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Willingness and ability to frequently seek employment on new projects.
• Willingness and ability to join projects without much advanced notice.
• Willingness and ability to continually update skills by learning new tools and techniques.
• Passion for the work.
• A good sense of humor.
• Patience.
• Be an expert in one or a few areas, but have a general understanding of as many areas as possible. 

How to Find a Job:

• Create a portfolio of your work that demonstrates your versatility, creativity and technical abilities as well as your capacity to work within time and budget constraints.
• Customize your portfolio to highlight work you have done that is similar to that of the new project. 
• Become an active member of professional organizations in order to keep current and to make contacts that may lead to employment opportunities.
• Attend multimedia and professional conferences and meetings to generate job leads and to acquire current information about trends, tools and techniques.
• Update and acquire new skills through enrollment in continuing education classes and through reading magazines in the field. Network with other students and faculty.
• Those without experience or training should consider interning or volunteering on a project to gain experience and build marketable skills.
• Those with experience and/or training can use contacts from previous projects or professional organizations. Compensation: Many multimedia specialists do not work as salaried employees for a single company over a long period of time. It is more typical to work freelance as an independent contractor, moving from one project to the next, and being paid hourly, daily, or per project.

ANIMATORS 

What They Do: Animators create two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images that show objects in motion or illustrate a process. These images convey or enhance the project's message. Originally animators created images using paper and pen. These images were then arranged to give the illusion of movement and depth. 

Today, two dimensional (2D) animators can still create images in the traditional way, but the images are then scanned into a computer, edited, and color, texture, or motion are added. There are also computer based 2D animation software packages to assist with the initial creation of the images. Three dimensional (3D) images are created using computer animation or modeling programs and produce much more realistic and complex images.

The hardware and software needed to create 3D animation is still very expensive and requires a high level of skill. Therefore, this type of work tends to be done by large production companies. It is also more difficult and expensive to obtain training and experience in 3D animation, but compensation can be twice that of 2D animators. 

Job Skills Needed:

• Understanding of both traditional and newer methods of animation.
• Ability to draw, including understanding of color theory, life drawing and composition.
• Ability to use computer animation tools.
• Ability to use electronic tools such as illustration, scanning and image manipulation tools.
• Understanding of sketch ideas and storyboards. 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Willingness and ability to work continuously for long periods of time.
•  Willingness and ability to work effectively alone or without much supervision or collaboration.
• Ability and patience for very detailed work.
•  A real love for the work. 

How to Find a Job: Your portfolio should include samples of your work on a diskette, CD-ROM, video tape, or interactive format if possible. 

Compensation: A formal salary survey is not available; however references to annual salaries range from $25,000 for beginners to $75,000 for those with experience. Hourly wages range from $25/hr to $75/hr for 2D animators. Experienced 3D animators using high-end hardware and software can earn from $100/hr to $200/hr. All salaries depend on the nature of the project and the skill of the specialists.

SOUND PRODUCERS 

What They Do: Sound Producers design and produce the sound component of multimedia programs and products. They work with music, voice-overs, and sound effects. They can be responsible for a variety of activities ranging from selecting or recording music to digitizing and editing recorded material into computer files. 

They may work with other sound professionals such as audio engineers (who actually record voice and sound effects), sound designers or special effects specialists, digital sound processors, sound researchers, musicians, and voice artists. 

Job Skills Needed:

• Understanding of sound design and processing tools.
• Understanding of studio recording techniques.
• Understanding of how the sound fits into the project.
• Understanding of project management tools.
• Ability to use computer sound tools, including microphones, tape formats and high-quality recording techniques. 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Training and/or experience as a musician.

Willingness and ability to:

• be adaptive and improvise when necessary,
• work under tight time schedules,
• produce a lot of material in a short amount of time. 

How to Find a Job:

• Create a portfolio of your work including a demo tape, a completed CD-ROM product, or an audio CD.
• Use contacts from previous projects or professional organizations to get an interview with the project's art director or producer since they are the ones most likely to make the hiring decision.
•  "The art director and producer will be looking for someone that can 'own' the sound, or in other words, someone that will take full responsibility for all aspects of sound in the product. They will want someone who can find and hire the appropriate artists and manage all the hardware and software needs for the music end." (Vivid Studios. Careers in Multimedia. Emeryville, CA: Ziff-Davis Press, 1995, p. 228.) 

Compensation: A formal salary survey is not available; however references to annual salaries range from $25,000 for beginners to $80,000 for those with experience. Hourly wages range from $40/hr to $100/hr. All salaries depend on the nature of the project and the skill of the specialists.

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS 

What They Do: Graphic Designers are responsible for creating original art work with a visual style, design and layout that is appropriate to the project's concept and goals. They may create screen layouts, menus, icons and symbols, logos, charts and diagrams. The visual design must be consistent with and support the overall goal of the project and be visually interesting to the product's users. It helps create the "mood" of the product and therefore the experience that the user has while using the product. 

Good Graphic Designers for multimedia projects are first and foremost talented artists who are also technically competent using a variety of electronic tools and techniques. 

Job Skills Needed:

• Understanding of the fundamentals of visual communication and design, including color theory, composition and iconography (the use of symbols).
• Knowledge of image processing tools, including those used for image scanning and manipulation.
• Understanding of the limitations and capabilities of electronic media.
• Knowledge of computer painting and drawing tools.
• Understanding of storyboarding techniques.
• Ability to create artwork that conforms to the style and content specifications provided by the project's art director or producer. 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Willingness to stay closely tuned to trends in the design field by reading a variety of design magazines (such as Communications Arts, How, and I.D.).
• Ability to create various styles of visual images.
• Ability to meet short deadlines.
• Ability to understand various audiences and select the design style most appropriate for that audience. 

How to Find a Job: Use contacts from previous projects or professional organizations to get an interview with the project's art director or producer since they are the ones most likely to make the hiring decision. 

Compensation: A formal salary survey is not available; however references to annual salaries range from $25,000 for beginners to $75,000 for those with experience. All salaries depend on the nature of the project and the skill of the specialists.

INTERFACE DESIGNERS 

What They Do: Interface Designers are responsible for creating the product environment, and, therefore, the way in which the user experiences the product. Interface Designers not only develop icon and other visual symbols and cues, but also those parts of the environment that the user experiences with his or her other senses, including what the user can hear and touch.

The Interface Designer sets the tone and parameters of how the user will interact with the program content. "Interface designers are responsible for the cognitive model users develop when working with a product. This model refers to the way users think about it, and about its organizations, its workings, and its capabilities ... Interface designers do more than make products "easy to use." They make them clear, rich, and meaningful... Interface design encompasses the disciplines of information design, interaction design, and sensorial design." (Vivid Studios, Careers in Multimedia, Emeryville, CA: Ziff-Davis Press, 1995, p. 170.). 

Job Skills Needed:

• Understanding of visual, sound and video design.
• Knowledge of computer hardware capabilities.
• Ability to help develop design concepts that support the goals of the project by participating in brainstorming sessions with other project team members.
• Ability to understand the capabilities and expectations of the product's potential users.
• Ability to conceptualize and describe the specific actions that the user will be able to perform while using the product and the product functions required to allow these actions. These are called "functional specifications." 
• Basic knowledge of cognitive psychology (how people think and perceive). 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Ability to be innovative and provide creative inspiration and direction. 

How to Find a Job: Use contacts from previous projects or professional organizations to get an interview with the project's producer or art director since they are the ones most likely to make the hiring decision. 

Compensation: A formal salary survey is not available; however references to annual salaries range from $25,000 for beginners to $75,000 for those with experience. Hourly wages range from $40/hr to $100/hr. All salaries depend on the nature of the project and the skill of the specialists.

ART DIRECTORS 

What They Do: Art Directors must be both competent designers and managers. They are responsible for all the art content of the project including animation, graphics, video and sound. "All artwork in a project must be of consistent quality and appear to have a cohesive relationship with every other part. This can only be accomplished if an art director reviews the creation of artwork at every step and helps guide the media professionals on the project to adhere to certain design standards" (Vivid Studios. Careers in Multimedia. Emeryville, CA: Ziff-Davis Press, 1995, p. 164.) 

In addition to overseeing the day to day production of artwork created by others, Art Directors themselves often produce artwork for the project. The Art Director is also responsible for meeting budget and schedule deadlines. 

Job Skills Needed:

• Understanding of visual, sound and video design.
• Understanding of the tools and techniques used to create and manipulate the various types of artwork used in the project.
• Knowledge of typography, graphic design, color theory and information design.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and other electronic equipment that will be used for development and delivery of the product, including their strengths and weaknesses.
• Ability to work with and understand the problems, needs and concerns of a variety of media specialists and assure that their design issues are resolved.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people including clients, artists, technicians and executives.
• The ability to motivate creative people to adhere to the standards established for the project while still encouraging their creative freedom.
• Ability to accomplish tasks within scheduled deadlines and budgets. 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Traditional design training.
• Ability to educate others about design issues. 

How to Find a Job:

• Use contacts from previous projects or professional organizations to get an interview with the project's creative director or producers since they are the ones most likely to make the hiring decision.
• Register with professional design organizations and media-specific placement agencies. 

Compensation: A formal salary survey is not available; however references to annual salaries range from $35,000 for beginners to $100,000 for those with experience. All salaries depend on the nature of the project and the skill of the specialists.

PROGRAMMERS 

What They Do: Programmers create the computer code that allows all the components of a multimedia product to work together seamlessly and produce the desired effects. Some programmers work in programming languages such as C++. Others (sometimes called scripters) work with software programs known as scripting languages or authoring software such as Macromedia Director, HyperCard, or Apple Media Tool. 

Some programmers create products that are distributed on the World Wide Web. They work in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) to create 2D products, and VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) for 3D product. Programmers are often responsible for assessing the technical feasibility of a project.

For example, they may need to determine if the electronic or programming tools exist or can be created to produce the desired result, or if the intended distribution medium (such as a CD-ROM) is large enough to contain the final product. 

Job Skills Needed:

• Knowledge of various authoring software packages, including their strengths and weaknesses.
• Ability to select software most appropriate to the requirements of the project.
• Knowledge of computer operating systems, their multimedia extensions and programming utilities.
• Knowledge of data structures, algorithms and program debugging.
• Ability to contribute to the prototype, design and production of the project. 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Understanding of the Internet and World Wide Web.
• Ability to prototype, contribute to the design and finish a product.
• A high degree of determination is needed to keep working on code until it works correctly. Just getting close is not good enough.
• Expert knowledge of a few programming tools or areas will make you more competitive than someone with only a general knowledge of many tools. 

How to Find a Job: Use contacts from previous projects or professional organizations to get an interview with the project's technical lead or producers since they are the ones most likely to make the hiring decision. 

Compensation: A formal salary survey is not available; however references to annual salaries range from $35,000 for beginners to $75,000 for those with experience. Hourly wages range from $50/hr to $100/hr. All salaries depend on the nature of the project and the skill of the specialists.

WRITERS 

What They Do: Writers create or structure the project's concept into a detailed description of what happens on the screen. Writers describe what the user will see and hear while using the product. Since multimedia projects use video and still images, sound, movement and written or spoken words to convey meaning, the writer must make all of these components work together. 

The writer may be a copywriter who writes the text that appears on the screen or a scriptwriter who creates the dialog to be spoken by actors, animated characters, or voice-overs. The writer may create original work for the project. The writer may also take existing work and modify it for use in a multimedia project. 

Job Skills Needed:

• Ability to write clearly so that other members of the project team understand what kind of art, sound, animation, etc. is required at each point in the project and so that the product's users understand how the product works.
• Thorough knowledge of the project's subject matter.
• Ability to pay close attention to details.
• Ability to write clearly for a variety of readers.
• Ability to use word-processing software.
• Understanding of "high concept" or premises (a brief and easily understood description of the project's concept or premise), treatments (descriptions of the project's concept or goal), flow charts or game maps (descriptions of the action or how the user can move around in the project), outlines and scripts. 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Enjoy doing detailed work.
• Ability to work alone much of the time.
• Ability to be flexible and adjust to changes in project scheduling. 

How to Find a Job: New writers may be hired to write for a project and receive very little pay for their work, but building a list of credits can lead to job offers and higher pay on future projects. 

Compensation: A formal salary survey is not available; however references to annual salaries range from $35,000 for beginners to $75,000 for those with experience. Hourly wages range from $50/hr to $100/hr. All salaries depend on the nature of the project and the skill of the specialists.

VIDEO PRODUCERS 

What They Do: Video Producers are responsible for all video components of the project. They can be involved in creating or shooting new video, acquiring existing video and editing. The video producer is charged with making the video look good on the computer. In addition to these more creative activities, the Video Producer is also involved in various management activities such as budgeting, scheduling, planning and resource allocation.

Video for multimedia projects and traditional video projects have many of the same components. Both have the same pre-production and production components such as scripts, storyboards, actors, lighting, props, etc. Video for multimedia must then be converted to a digital format for editing, manipulation, and playback by computer or other electronic media. 

Job Skills Needed:

• Knowledge of traditional video and film production techniques. 
• Knowledge of composition skills such as proper use of lighting and perspective.
• Knowledge of video cameras, including their strengths and weaknesses.
• Knowledge of computer hardware, including their strengths and weaknesses.
• Knowledge of computer software used to edit and manipulate digital video, including their strengths and weaknesses.
• Understanding of video recording tools and techniques, including lighting, color, resolution and motion steadiness.
• Understanding of video editing tools and techniques.
• Understanding of digitizing equipment and techniques.
• Understanding of compression/decompression techniques.
• Understanding of tools and techniques used to record sound during video shooting, including types of microphones and ways to mitigate background noise. 

Other Helpful Skills or Characteristics:

• Understanding of blue screen video shooting.
• Ability to be stylistically innovative. 

How to Find a Job: Use contacts from previous projects or professional organizations to get an interview with the project's producer or art director since they are the ones most likely to make the hiring decision. 

Compensation: A formal salary survey is not available; however references to hourly wages range from $40/hr to $150/hr. All salaries depend on the nature of the project and the skill of the specialists.

RESOURCES* 

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS  

San Francisco State University, 
Extended Education Certificate in Multimedia Studies 
Downtown Center, 
425 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-2406 
(415) 904-7700 

University of California Los Angeles Extension Certificate in Film, Television, Video, and Multimedia 
P.O. Box 24901, Department K, Los Angeles, CA 90024-0901 (310) 825-9064 
email: espa@unex.ucla.edu 

University of California Santa Cruz Extension Certificate Program in Multimedia Studies is scheduled to begin in Winter 1996 (UCSC Extension also offers multimedia classes in Santa Clara and Sunnyvale) 
740 Front Street, Suite 155, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 
(800) 660-8639 

University of California Santa Barbara Extension Certificate Programs in Webmaster: Designer and Web Site Manager, and Graphic Design and Visual Communications 
6550 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117 
(805) 893-4200 or (800) 325-2727

BOOKS:  

Careers in Multimedia by Vivid Studios Ziff-Davis Press, Emeryville, California, 1995 

The Multimedia Casebook by Mary Fallenstein Hellman and W.R. James Van Nostrand, Reinhold, San Francisco, 1995 

Multimedia Demystified: A Guide to the World of Multimedia from Apple Computer, Inc. sponsored by Apple Computer, Inc. Random House Electronic Publishing, New York, 1994

PERIODICALS  

CD-ROM Professional. Published monthly by Pemberton Press Inc. 462 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897-2126; (800) 222-3766, Ext. 517. 

CD-ROM Today. Published monthly by Imagine Publishing, Inc. 1350 Old Bayshore Highway, Suite 210, Burlingame, CA 94010; (415) 696-1688. 

InterActivity. Published monthly by GPI Publications, Inc. 411 Borel Ave., Suite 100, San Mateo, CA 94402; (415) 358-9500. Morph's Outpost on the Digital Frontier. Published monthly. P.O. Box 469066, Escondido, CA 92046-9822; (800) 556-6774

Multimedia Today: The Sourcebook for New Media Power. Published by six times per year by Redgate Communications Corp. 660 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32963; (800) 779-2062. 

Multimedia World. Published monthly by PC World Communications, Inc. 501 Second St. #600, San Francisco, CA 94107; (800) 766-3294, Ext. 205. New Media. Published monthly by HyperMedia Communications Inc. 901 Mariner's Island Blvd., Suite 365, San Mateo, CA 94404; (415) 573-5170. 

Wired. Published monthly by Wired USA. San Francisco, CA; (800) 769-4733.

ORGANIZATIONS  

Apple Multimedia Program (AMP) 20525 Mariani Avenue, 
MS 303-2D, Cupertino, CA 95014 
(408) 974-4897 

Interactive Multimedia Association (IMA) 3 Church Circle, 
Suite 800, Annapolis, MD 21401-1933 
(410) 626-1380 

International Interactive Communications Society (IICS) 
14657 SW Teal Blvd., Suite 119, Beavertown, OR 97007 
(503) 579-4427 

Multimedia Developers Group (MDG) 
2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 
(415) 553-2300 

The National Computer Graphics Association 
2722 Merilee Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031 
(703) 698-9600 

The National Multimedia Association of America (NMAA) 
4920 Niagara Road, 3rd Floor, College Park, MD 20740 
(800) 214-9531