Online Multimedia and Animation Degrees: Program Summaries

Students seeking careers in the fields of multimedia and animation most often need a bachelor's degree, though certificate, associate's degree and master's degree programs are also available. There are currently only a few colleges and universities in the United States offering online multimedia and animation degree programs.

Online Multimedia and Animation Associate's Degree Overview

Online associate's degree programs in multimedia and animation emphasize graphic design, visual arts and computer technology. An online 2-year degree program in multimedia and animation most commonly results in an Associate of Applied Science degree in Multimedia and Animation.

Program Information and Requirements

An online associate's degree in multimedia and animation can typically be earned in two years. Some programs are conducted entirely online, while others combine live and distance learning courses. Opportunities to work with local businesses to assist in the creation of a portfolio might be offered by some schools.
Technical requirements for online multimedia and animation associate's degree programs include a high-speed Internet connection and an updated version of Windows. Students might also be required to have updated versions of software utilized in some courses, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Dreamweaver and Adobe Illustrator.

List of Common Courses in Online Multimedia and Animation Programs

The curriculum for an online associate's degree program in multimedia and animation generally consists of introductory and advanced courses in multimedia graphics, Web design, digital imaging and animation. General education requirements might include communications, mathematics and physical sciences.

Graphic Design

Basic courses in graphic design introduce students to graphics techniques and processes. Topics covered might include color theory, layout, typography and the history of graphic design.

Web Design

How to design, format and layout Web pages are covered in these types of courses. In some cases, students are given the opportunity to create Web pages using required software.

Digital Image Editing

Coursework in digital image editing covers the use of digital photography equipment and computer graphics editing techniques. Scanning, retouching, colorizing and compositing techniques are among the likely topics of discussion in these courses.

Career Information for Graduates

Completion of an online associate's degree program in multimedia and animation qualifies graduates for entry-level positions as graphic artists, Web designers or multimedia artists. Job opportunities for these professionals are expected to grow by 14% between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2008, the BLS reported that the annual median salary for multimedia artists and animators was just over $56,000 (www.bls.gov).

Continuing Education Information

As many companies prefer hiring employees who hold a bachelor's degree in the field, graduates of online associate's degree programs in multimedia and animation might choose to pursue a 4-year degree. Some bachelor's degree programs in multimedia and animation are available online.

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Online Multimedia and Animation Bachelor's Degree Overview

Online multimedia and animation bachelor's degree programs can result in a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Animation or a related field. Areas of study in online bachelor's degree programs include multimedia communications, computer animation, animation or graphic design.

Program Information and Requirements

It typically takes four years to earn an online bachelor's degree in multimedia and animation. Distance learning bachelor's degree programs in these areas are usually conducted entirely online, though some programs might include an internship as part of the curriculum.
As with online associate's degree programs, students of bachelor's degree programs in multimedia and animation might be required to have updated versions of specific software to complete assignments for some animation and graphic design courses.

Common Online Multimedia and Animation Courses

Program coursework for an online 4-year degree in multimedia and animation consists of fundamental and advanced classes in Web design, interactive design, visual communications, computer animation and multimedia production. Required general education courses generally include those in mathematics, social sciences, physical sciences and humanities.

Interactive Design

Fundamental and advanced interactive design courses emphasize 2-dimensional animation and Web animation. Coursework addresses such topics as storyboarding, layout, scripting and framing.

Computer Animation

Students in computer animation courses will generally study animation software and animation techniques. Character animation, 3-D animation, modeling and computer graphics are among the subjects that are likely to be studied in these courses.

Multimedia production

Pre- and post-production methods and techniques are taught in this course. In some classes, students might have the opportunity to develop an actual production from conception and storyboarding to the finished product.

Graduate Career Information

Graduates of an online bachelor's degree program in multimedia and animation are prepared for careers as animators and multimedia artists. They can also qualify for art director or management positions. The median annual salary for art directors was nearly $77,000 in 2008, according to the BLS (www.bls.gov).

Continuing Education Information

Some companies might prefer candidates to possess a graduate degree in multimedia and animation. Online graduate degree programs in multimedia and animation are less common than online certificate and undergraduate degree programs. These programs generally result in a Master of Fine Arts degree with a specialization in Animation or Multimedia Arts.