Multimedia

The Career of Multimedia Artist

Eric Somers, Dutchess Community College

The term "multimedia" used to refer to art in which more than one physical medium was used. Thus someone who used both photographs and oil painting to create a "mixed media" work was considered a "multimedia artist." Today the term almost exclusively refers to an integration of electronic media: computers, video, electronic musical instruments, etc. Multimedia Artists of today may design Web sites, CD-ROMs, or video games which incorporate text, still graphics, video clips, sounds, and virtual reality simulations. Or they may create elaborate theatre pieces combining the live actor with computer controlled videos, lighting effects, and music. They might even create electronic music which has a video component; a gallery installation in which the visitors can partly control the art being displayed; or a kinetic sculpture which moves and makes sounds. The field is really being defined every day by young new artists, so giving a precise definition is sort of like nailing jelly to a tree.

One thing is certain. Multimedia today involves technology. Thus the young multimedia artist-to-be needs to really understand the technological tools of multimedia: computers, video systems, audio systems, communication networks, even perhaps robotics. For some people, especially those women who were taught as girls that technology was for "the boys," this is bad news. But the good news is that technology is not really all that hard to learn if you take it a step at a time and that there are a huge number of female multimedia artists who have mastered the tools and are working. The best part is they are making pretty good money. You see, multimedia is where "its at" in the arts world today. And its wide open to women and minorities, in fact, just about anybody who is willing to work very hard to stay on the fast moving "cutting edge" of electronic arts and communication.

Since the field is still developing, there is not a real fixed curriculum which all multimedia artists follow. A few schools, especially design schools (see also "The Career of Graphic Designer), do offer degrees in multimedia. Sometimes they call it "electronic media" or "new media." But even if you don't go to one of those schools, here's how you can train for this field:

In addition to taking the traditional liberal arts courses which all College students have to take (English, History, Science, etc.) take what are called the "foundations courses" in visual art: usually Drawing, 2-D and 3-D design, and color theory. Then take the "foundations" equivalent in music: Music Theory (harmony, counterpoint, ear training, basic keyboard theory). Finally, take introduction to computer science.

Now you need to specialize in a few areas which interest you the most. Perhaps it is graphics, video, audio production, playing a musical instrument, photography, computer programming, building models, theatrical design, etc. Here is the key part: Try to study SEVERAL of these areas if possible. It will be a lot easier to get a job as a multimedia artist if you, say, know how to program a computer in Java, mix a band in the recording studio, design a visually interesting web page, and edit video on the computer than if you only know a single area. But if you are into specialization in one area, don't worry too much, many (probably even most) multimedia projects are collaborations between artists with a variety of skills. Still, the person who knows more than one area is apt to be the project leader and get the most glory.

This field lends itself to hard-to-classify artistic "oddballs" who are interested in many seemingly unrelated things. While in college I studied video-audio-film production, music, mathematical logic, theatrical design and comparative literature. I have worked as an advertising agency creative director, a network television and radio producer, a recording engineer, teacher, software developer, video artist, electronic music composer, and more. Now, when I create a multimedia project, I get to draw from all those experiences. And to think my friends used to laugh in college when I ran from my Television Directing class to make my seminar in Modal Logic.

Whatever you decide to learn, it is important to make up a terrific portfolio of your work. In the multimedia field this will usually consist of a video, audio CD, CD-ROM, or slides -- often a combination of those things. That portfolio will count much more than your grade point average or your major in College. If you "strut your stuff" and it really makes an impression on someone, you've got a job! They probably will never ask for your transcript. So don't ever try to explain away sloppy work to a teacher by saying you've "got the general idea." Design is in the details. Make sure your stuff really is the best you can do. Even if you can "get by" in a course you've got to have something to show when you leave college.

If you want to read about schools in your area that might have course offerings related to multimedia (you'll have to actually contact the individual school to find out what degrees are offered), check out the WOW'EM Schools section.

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