Graphic Design: Professionals construct intricate visual images as a promotional tool for magazines, journals, and others kinds of publication.

Technical Writing: Technical writers translate complex terminology on business processes into simplistic language that people outside of the organization can understand.

Video Gaming: Individuals brainstorm the ideas and design the layouts for computer-based games or television games for consumers.

Certificate: 1 year to complete

Associate Degree: 2 to 3 years to complete

Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete

Master's Degree: 2 years to complete

Doctoral Degree: 4 to 5 years to complete

Interactive media designers come from a range of educational routes. Accrediting agencies, such as the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, approve of educational standards for many programs in this arena. Additionally, the American Institute of Graphic Arts is a valuable support tool for aspiring and seasoned design professionals who seek career development, trend updates, or networking opportunities.

Many individuals decide to attend community or junior colleges that offer certificate programs that last up to 1 year.  The program teaches principles in basic scripting and programming, design principles, audio and visual production and portfolio preparation.

Associate degrees are also provided and usually require 2 to 3 years of full time study. Individuals learn the basics about design theory and software tools. Web design practices are addressed as well. Core classes include web animation, hypertext programming, interface designs, and computer illustration.

Some associate degree recipients head straight for the workforce while others opt to further their education by transferring to a university for a 4-year bachelor degree. Students are given the guidance needed to put design theories into practice by creating DVDs, CD-ROMs and web-based programs.

There is also plenty of classroom instruction to help students develop their portfolios and begin successful job searches. Common courses include, but are not limited to, organizational communication, 2D and 3D animation, visual basic programming, multimedia authoring, web publishing, database systems, world art and advertising.

Those who seek further advancement additionally obtain 2-year master's degrees in interactive media design or a related field. In the programs, individuals are able to completely examine what makes the industry tick and how to contribute to its aesthetic element.

They balance classwork with designated laboratory time and enhance digital techniques that give them the edge they need to thrive. The programs can lead to high-level lucrative careers or end up being a prerequisite for the PhD program. Doctoral students engage in extensive research and are required to conclude their studies with a dissertation.

Certification for those in the interactive media design industry is not required. However, individuals are expected to hone their personal portfolios to exhibit their professional talents.

An individual's specialty and level of education generally influences their annual compensation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most entry-level and assistantship positions for associate and bachelor's degree holders are between $26,000/year and $36,500/year.

Master's degree holders are often qualified to work in supervisory roles, and Salary.com reports the median salary for media designers is $84,942 yearly. Interactive media design professors normally make an average income near $55,000/year, depending on the locale and employer.

Workers in specialized design can look forward to an optimistic future in the job market, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As technological advancements accelerate, interactive media design positions will increase, especially for individuals with a superior educational background. More employers are also leaning toward a tendency to hire professionals with some knowledge in business management and marketing.

Careers in visual communications are highly similar to careers in interactive media design. Both professions require a great deal of web-based communication that are delivered in the form of creative mediums, such as writing and graphic design. Many of the visual aids generated in visual communications, such as digital images and emoticons are especially used to by professional designers in interactive media to construct products.

Interactive media design is one of the aspects that make the field of marketing successful. Companies collaborate with professionals in both fields to construct effective promotional tools that will arouse audiences and lead to increased sales. Professionals in either occupation must be able to think outside of the box to grab and maintain the attention of the masses.  

Various forms of writing takes place in the layout process of interactive media design projects. Technical writers help condense intricate terminology for clientele and professionals in other departments. Additionally, print journalism is one of the doorways to advertising for interactive media design endeavors. Editing plays a significant role to perfect goals in this industry as well.