Overview

The minor in Digital Media Technology provides students with opportunities to learn about the processes involved in the planning, development and publishing of web content, games, animation, visual effects, interactive simulation and other multimedia.

According to IBISworld.com, digital media, web development, game development, animation, visual effects, interactive simulation, and related services combined account for more than 400 billion dollars of the United States economy. At the time of this writing, over 100,000 available jobs related to the aforementioned areas are listed on job posting websites such as talentzoo.com, monster.com, and indeed.com. In total the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there to be 300,000 positions added to the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media sectors by 2026.

MINOR REQUIREMENTS

For this minor students complete 2 core courses and then must select any 5 Digital Media Technology courses to complete the minor. Visit the minor requirements here. Courses students may take in the minor include the following areas:

GAME DEVELOPMENT

Game Development, Interactive Media, and simulation are areas where there is a demand for technically proficient individuals with multiple skillsets ready to handle any task. The Entertainment Software Association projects the need for thousands of Multimedia Animators, Technical artists, and other Game Development professionals by 2026. The outlook for this career is as fast as average, with an 8% growth during this time frame.

WEB DEVELOPMENT

Web Development is a profession where there is an incredible demand for talented individuals with a variety of skills. Businesses need front end developers, search engine specialists, content managers, and people talented in UI/UX design. Nationally the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be a 27% increase in the number of Web Developers required to meet commercial needs each year until 2026.

ANIMATION AND VISUAL EFFECTS

People that work in animation and visual effects create images that appear to move and visual effects for various forms of media and entertainment. According the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of multimedia artists and animators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Projected growth will be due to increased demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, and television.

DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

Courses in Digital Media Managment provide students with a balance of management and supervision skills needed to be successful in leading teams in web development, digital media, game development, animation, visual effects interactive simulation, image capture, and multimedia production.

Completion time: 19 hours

Internships:

Interested in jobs with a degree in digital media technology? Several positions are posted at the websites below.

Contact the Digital Media Program coordinator ay Grabiec at jjgrabiec@eiu.edu. to inquire about current opportunities and to be added to the exclusive Teams channel where several targeted jobs and internships have been posted.

Resources

- Degree Plan (PDF)
- Program Information in EIU Catalog

Visit Website

Digital Media Technology