Interactive Media 4000 art design subject sub_topic Interactive media design is a branch of communication dealing with active participation by a viewer with a media object. Emphasizing the ability of digital media to provide users with an enhanced visitor experience, interactive media is a growing field with interdisciplinary focuses in user interfaces and visual communications. Examples of this field's two-way applications include video/computer games, interactive kiosks, mobile phones, touch-screen devices, web sites, and more. To learn more about education in interactive media, <B>request free information packets</B> from the schools listed below. 0 1 1 4480 <p>You may work in or aspire to work in the field of interactive media design and not even know it. This is because interactive media design covers a huge spectrum of careers and industries. Defined most broadly, this field is characterized by designers of any products and systems that a user can interact with. Interactive media design spans multiple areas; business information systems, physical products, environmental products, services, and various other systems all need interactive media designers. However, most interactive media design specialists work with complex technology systems such as software, mobile devices, and other electronic devices. </p> <p>One main aspect of the field that has developed in recent years is what's referred to as Social Interaction Design. This type of design refers to interactions among users as well as between users and their devices. Computing devices have become networked and now streamline communication capabilities. Devices such as smart phones, PDAs, and iPods facilitate talk and social interaction. Web applications, such as the ultra popular Facebook and MySpace allow users to virtually communicate with others with incredible speed and ease. Interactive media designers work and refine the social elements of modern technology and must have a keen understanding of interpersonal communication to be successful. </p> <p>Most interactive media designers follow a similar process to creating new and innovative ways to communicate. It starts with idea generation; that is usually a team of designers brainstorm what type of communications product, application or service will be useful and desired by consumers. Then the designers thoroughly research the technology they need to implement their idea and design a plan to make a prototype. Once the prototype is created, they systematically test it for errors and malfunctions then have a select group of users test it. After this, the product is ready to market and sell. </p> <strong>Careers in Interactive Media Design </strong> <p>As mentioned before, media design covers a huge array of careers and industries. Just a few of the job titles that fall under the heading of interactive media design are: </p> <ul> <li>Sound designers</li> <li>Film and video makers</li> <li>Creative directors</li> <li>E-commerce project managers</li> <li>Graphic designers </li> <li>Illustrators </li> <li>Lecturers in creative arts</li> <li>Multimedia production specialists</li> <li>Professional photographers</li> <li>Web designers</li> <li>Web programmers </li> </ul> <p>The earnings of all these job titles vary greatly. According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts, median annual total cash compensation for entry-level designers was $35,000 in 2007. Also, career types vary in their stability; a creative lecturer may have steady work and full benefits working as a professor at a university while an illustrator may receive no benefits and work as a freelancer. </p> <p>To obtain most of the above job titles you must have a degree in that specific area of study. Most companies also prefer at least a bachelor's degree with an internship component. However, an impressive portfolio and experience is usually more important to those working as freelance artists. Some schools offer degrees in interactive media design. However, these degrees typically approach the field from a theoretical point of view and their graduates mostly go on to become professors and researchers. </p> <strong>Future of Interactive Media Design </strong> <p>One thing is for certain; the need for interactive media designers is only going to increase. The world is becoming more and more globalized and businesses and individuals have growing needs to communicate with others in different parts of the globe. </p> <strong>Article References </strong><br><br> Bureau of Labor Statistics<br> <a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm#earnings" target="_blank">http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm#earnings </a><br> <a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos264.htm#earnings" target="_blank">http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos264.htm#earnings </a><br><br> American Institute of Graphic Arts<br> <a href="http://www.aiga.org/" target="_blank">http://www.aiga.org </a><br><br> National Association of Schools of Art and Design<br> <a href="http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/" target="_blank">http://nasad.arts-accredit.org </a><br><br> interactive-media-design Interactive Media Design Interactive Media Design 4100, 4450, 4520, 4650, 4800, 4700 Interactive Media Design Schools & Interactive Media Design Degree Programs 1 0