Overview

In the digital age we live in, a whole new avenue for art has arisen in the form of media arts–art that involves technological outlets such as video gaming or multimedia. There is a high demand for people who are both artistically creative and technically savvy, who can use various forms of technology in the production of digital art. If that describes you and your interests, a career in media arts could be the perfect choice for you!

There are many outlets for media arts, and many career possibilities as a result. You might find a niche in creating computer graphics for video games or websites, or you might specialize in animation. You might be one who employs a variety of digital formats to create dynamic multimedia presentations for businesses or advertisements. You might specialize in 3D graphics for a variety of applications. Whether you work for a video production company, or an Internet media company, or even an advertising agency, there’s an exciting career awaiting you in media arts.

News analysts — also sometimes referred to as newscasters or news anchors — examine, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources. News anchors present news stories and introduce videotaped news or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters. News analysts are also off-screen individuals who work behind the scenes to gather the news, or check facts, or direct reporters to investigate certain areas of their stories. They also may help in editing the news stories before they go on the air. Often, news analysts are specialists in a certain area of interest and will appear on news shows to give their analysis and opinions regarding current events. These jobs may be in any area, but are most often in “beats” that get a lot of coverage, such as national, state and local politics; criminal and civil legal proceedings (and, for a very select few, the Supreme Court); and various areas of business, from local to international. Read More...

Known generally as P.A. or public announcers, these voice talents make announcements over loud speakers at sporting events or other public events. A public announcer may act as master of ceremonies or a disc jockey at weddings, parties, clubs, or other gathering places.  Sample job titles include: disc jockey (DJ), master of ceremonies (MC), mobile disc jockey (mobile DJ), announcer, public address announcer, bingo caller, entertainer, event planner, emcee, and track announcer.

Average Salary:

$27,420

Average Hours (per week): Read More...

Announcers, basically, talk on radio or television. They may interview guests, act as master of ceremonies, read news flashes, identify station by giving call letters, or announce song title and artist. Sample job titles include: news anchor, anchor, television news anchor (TV news anchor), announcer, meteorologist, host, program director, sports director, radio announcer, and news director.

Average Salary:

$29,940.

Average Hours (per week):

Generally, announcers work around the average amount of hours per week, which is 36 in the communications industry.  Many stations broadcast 24 hours a day, so announcers can expect to work unusual hours.  Many announcers work part time and many are self-employed working freelance. Read More...

Exhibit designers design and construct environments and exhibits for museums. They must make the material as easily reachable and as understandable as possible. They also try to make the exhibits as engaging as possible.

The exhibit designer works with the curator and other museum personnel to gather all the information needed about the exhibit: the number of pieces, the space allowed, and the content and all of the educational material to be conveyed. The designer then makes several possible design sketches for the curator to choose from. The designer then adapts the designs to the curator’s needs and other demands. Once the design is finalized, the designer oversees its construction and installation, making any and all final touches before the exhibit is open to the public.
Average Salary: Read More...

Set designers use a sense of design, an understanding of the architecture of the period presented in the play or film (or commercial), and an understanding of theatre or film in general to create engaging sets.

Set designers read the script and work with the director to understand all the basic needs of the set as well as the director’s vision. They must often do research to ensure that their designs are accurate with the period presented, and with the place presented. The designer shows several possible sketches for the sets to the director, and then must adapt and change as the sketches move to models and to blueprints and then the set itself.
Average Salary: Read More...

The print production manager is the print equivalent of the commercial producer.

This position entails both business aspects of choosing the right vendors – printers, artists, graphic designers, photographers, and other print production people – as well as understanding the finer aspects of printing.

The print production manager (PPM) works with the art director and the creative director to understand exactly what they need in the proper completion of print ads, collateral, or anything that needs to be printed. The PPM then works with the vendors to negotiate the best price, and often to negotiate a faster schedule than the vendor would want. The PPM handles many such tasks in various stages of completion and must stay on top of them all because each stage depends on the timely completion of the previous stage.
Average Salary: $77,000
Average Hours (per week): Read More...

If one desires to get into the film production or the commercial production business (or sometimes television production), the Production Assistant (PA) is a good entry position.

As the title implies PA’s do any and all jobs to help the production along. So, a great attitude is essential, as PA’s may often suffer the misdirected verbal abuse of directors and producers who are under a great deal of pressure. Filming is extremely expensive, so every minute is valuable. So, the PA’s must cheerfully be go-fers, chauffeurs, etc. In all those odd jobs, though, the PA’s can pick up a lot, and gather a great practical understanding of the production business. Read More...