OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate your understanding of the following course concepts:
1. Examine the different processes, career paths, and technologies in the digital media industry.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Digital Media and Web Technology (DMWT) major can be divided in into two different focus areas: Web Design and Digital Design. The Web Design area introduces students to front-end and back-end web design and development, while the Digital Design area introduces students to graphic design, electronic publishing, animation, and motion graphics. There are many different companies looking for applicants with experience in the areas taught in the DMWT program. Surprisingly, you will find that each job has different requirements and job responsibilities and many require experience across multiple areas of specialization. For example, you may find a company looking for a web developer who has experience in graphic design (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator) or a graphic designer with web design experience (HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery). The reality of the real world is that the field of digital media often cross pollinates, especially in smaller companies.
In this assignment, you will choose a specific job role that and perform research into job opportunities that currently exist for an entry-level position, identifying how your time at UMGC could help you qualify for that position.
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite Reading: Review the Digital Media and Web Technology Specializations below to ensure you have a good understanding of each specialization.
Digital Media and Web Technology Program Specialization
Are you interested in designing and building Web sites and Web applications?
The Web Technology specialization can help you achieve this goal. You will first learn techniques for designing and developing Web-front-ends with an eye towards usability and accessibility. Then, using multimedia scripting and programming, you will learn how you can add additional functionality and database connectivity.
Are you interested in creating computer graphics and publishing electronic media?
The Digital Design specialization is the best option for you. You will first learn techniques of electronic publishing. Then, using industry standard software, you will take your abilities even further as you learn image editing, illustration, and 3D modeling. You will use industry standard software throughout the specialization.
Are you interested in video editing, special effects, and creating motion graphics?
The Motion Graphics specialization is right up your alley. You will first learn techniques for integrating images, sound, video, and animation to create interactive products. Then, you will take your abilities even further as you learn how to incorporate 3D animation, special effects, and edited videos within your multimedia projects. You will use industry standard software throughout the specialization.
To Do:
Research
1. Select one of the three specializations covered within the Digital Media and Web Technology major.
2. Using the Internet, find and identify a job role/title that interests you from within your chosen specialization. (Note: If you are having difficulty identifying a job role/title, please let me know so we can work together).
3. Using the Internet, find FIVE (5) job listings that have been posted within the past three months for an entry-level position for the job role/title you selected, gathering the following information:
a. Company/Organization Name
b. Job Title
c. Country/State
d. Educational Requirements
e. Job Requirements
f. Job Responsibilities
g. Contract Type/Status (e.g. Full-Time, 1 year contract, etc.)
h. Salary Range (if available)
i. Company/Organization Benefits
j. URL of job listing
k. Date of job listing
4. Using the UMGC Undergraduate Catalog, find TWO (2) courses within the DMWT major and TWO (2) courses outside the DMWT major that could help you gain knowledge towards securing an entry-level position for the job role/title you selected, gathering the following information:
a. Course Name (e.g. CMST 295) [Note: You may not use 295 as one of the courses]
b. Course Title (e.g. Fundamentals of Digital Media)
c. Course Description (e.g. An introduction to an overview of the principles, practices, techniques, and theories that govern the design and development of digital media in Web technology, digital design, and motion graphics. The goal is to effectively follow proven design theory in creating digital media for print, Web, and mobile devices. Topics include usability, accessibility, ethics, and emerging technologies. Career paths in the digital media industry are analyzed.)
d. Course Benefits — In a minimum of FIFTY (50) words, identify how the completion of this course will help you secure an entry-level position for the job role/title you selected. Be specific in your description, integrating what you learned from searching for entry-level positions.
Results Presentation
Prepare a Word document the meets the following requirements:
1. Create a cover page with your name, the course/section, the DMWT specialization you selected, the job title/role you selected, and date of submission.
2. The body of the paper should include the following:
a. A table with headers equivalent to the information gathered in item #3 of the Research section above
b. Your paper must be submitted as a Word document, and must be named as: YourLastName_JobMarket.doc (or YourLastName_JobMarket.docx for Office 2007) b. A table with headers equivalent to the information gathered in item #4 of the Research section above
c. Answers to the following questions, labeling each question, followed by your response:
i. Of the positions you identified, which is the best position to apply for and why? (Minimum of 100 words)
ii. What did you learn from this assignment? (Minimum of 100 words)
3. Create a References page, in APA format, citing all of the references you used in creation of the research paper.
4. The font used for the paper must be 12pt Times New Roman, double spaced.
5. The paper should concisely address your research-backed opinion with as much relevant detail as possible (i.e. no fluff).
Example: Smith_JobMarket.doc or Smith_JobMarket.docx
