Students who are interested in pursuing a career in interactive digital media technology can complete an online certificate or associate's degree program in interactive media, according to degreedirectory.org. To get into these programs, students usually need a high school diploma or GED. Colleges and universities also offer online bachelor's degree programs in this field, and more employers actually value a four-year degree. Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia is an example of one school that offers an online bachelor's degree in this industry. Students at this school can choose to focus on areas such as game development or interactive design. Undergraduate interactive digital media technology programs essentially teach students how to blend audio, video, text data and animation to create interactive content.
Online graduate degree programs are becoming more available as society's reliance on technology grows. While undergraduate degree programs tend to focus more on the techniques and tools of the trade, graduate degree programs allow students to concentrate on the philosophies and trends shaping the industry.
The content of most online degree programs in interactive digital media technology mirror that of on-campus programs. The only real difference is that online students can progress at their own pace because of the flexibility online programs offer. Online courses provide content through video lectures and online reading. Students in this field can interact with instructors and classmates using email, discussion boards and chat rooms.
Courses in an online interactive digital media technology program cover topics such as computer applications, web scripting, three-dimensional art, digital design aesthetics, color theory, typography, computer concepts and business communications. Other classes might feature programming languages, digital imaging, interfaces, audio and video editing and project management. Students should be exposed to software such as Adobe Flash, PhotoShop and Dreamweaver.
With training in an online interactive digital media technology program, individuals can become graphic designers, web designers and animators. These professionals also can work as video game developers, media specialists, software developers, audio/video engineers, special effects engineers or even web developers and programmers. They can work for corporations, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions or even entertainment and advertising agencies, according to diplomaguide.com. Graduate degree holders can assume director and management roles in this industry as well.
Employment of artists, which includes multimedia artists, is projected to increase 12 percent from 2008 to 2018. Median annual wages of multimedia artists and animators in May 2008 were $56,330, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.