Digital Media Communication Information
Combine your passion for design with the technical know-how demanded by today's media-rich environment. In Heartland's Digital Media Communication program, you'll hone your skills in computer and art fundamentals. Courses help you learn to create web pages, print materials, interactive programs, videos, digital stills and animation. You'll also explore ways to develop effective designs with a particular audience in mind and gain skills needed to troubleshoot technical problems.
Although many digital media professionals work in design departments in various industries, approximately 29% are self-employed.*
Employment of graphic designers is projected to increase by 13% from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Wages in the digital media industry vary widely across the United States. However, competition for senior graphic designer positions will be very strong. Web designers enjoy a median salary of $50,000.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition
1. Earn an Associate in Applied Science:
Digital Media Communication AAS
The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Digital Media Communication is designed to prepare students with a comprehensive set of core skills that can be transferred to positions in a variety of industries. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to seek entry-level employment in jobs requiring web-design, graphic design, video production, motion graphics, and animation skills. Possible employers include media outlets, marketing departments, advertising agencies or any organization with a current or planned online presence.
2. Earn a Certificate:
Digital Media Core Skills
The Digital Media Core Skills Certificate provides students with a broad set of Digital Media skills including graphic design, developing web pages, creating print layouts, and producing video content. After completion of this certificate, students will have an understanding of the entire media production environment and how to develop content for each media form.
Media Design Skills
The Media Design Skills Certificate provides students with skills in producing high quality graphic designs for all media types, including print, video and the web. Students will learn the fundamentals of graphic design and apply those concepts to create high quality graphics that can be used across all media forms.
Video Production and Animation Skills
The Video Production and Animation Skills Certificate provides students with skills in producing professional video content. Students will learn the fundamentals of shooting and editing high quality video content, along with creating supporting motion graphics and 3D animation elements.
Web Design Skills
The Web Design Skills Certificate provides students with skills in computer and Internet fundamentals. Students will learn about designing effective interfaces, coding HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with administering a Content Management System, such as WordPress. They will also create graphics preparing them to seek a position related to website design.