Digital Media Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What type of job could i get with a degree in digital media? Here is a description of the degree. Digital Media: Special Effects, Games, and Animation (BC5322) This plan of study is designed to provide skills in digital media production with emphasis on computer animation, digital effects, and digital games.

Answer: Your course was design to get you into the field of animation and also post-production work at any film production company. Of course, its not enough to successfully complete your course, you must have an excellent portfolio to attract perspective employers. You can of course try the free-lance route, or both, and make your mark in the industry that way. There is plenty of work available for your specialty, so just be confident and professional in your approach and you'll have good success.

Question: What is a good place to have digital media blown up to poster size with out distortion? I am a photographer, and I am moving in to a new place. Instead of the traditional wall decorations, I wan't to blow up some of my own work and have it matted and framed. Any good suggestions enlarging from digital media to poster size print? Good companies, cost, blah blah blah. thanks guys. muwah

Answer: I'll vote with DigiDoc. For very reliable, professional work, I trust Miller's Mpix.com. http://www.mpix.com. They have quite a variety of print sizes available that would allow you to get a suitable enlargement from almost any image format. They will do 20x30 prints starting at $25. Go to their site and click on the help pages to find out about resolution. They recommend 250 ppi, but will go as low as 100 ppi. This means you can make a 20x30 from a 6MP image (2000x3000) but a bigger is better. If you want poster size, this would be okay, because you aren't going to be viewing them from 16" away...

Question: Is there any good digital media software available besides WM player and itunes? I don't want to buy another ipod because they seem to be made to die about 2 weeks after the warranty runs out (this has happened toooo many times to be a coincidence). But most of the alternatives seem to work with Windows Media Player which is nowhere near as good as itunes in my opinion. Is there any software comparable to itunes which would interface with most digital music players?

Answer: Media Monkey you cant buy music but other than that it works great.

Question: What kind of computer should I use for digital media? Hey, everyone. I'm planning on going to college for a degree in digital media, eventually focusing on game design/3d animation/etc. I was wondering what you would recommend (Desktop/laptop; Apple/PC; etc.) I just want to know what I should buy to be prepared for college.

Answer: Macs definitely are more popular with artistic/creative individuals. However, much of the best creative software is now available for Mac, Linux, and Windows. For example, The Gimp (an open-source rival for Adobe Photoshop)... http://gimp.org However, I think you'll need to do some research before deciding... 1) Of primary importance, what are the requirements of your school? Some courses might REQUIRE you to have a specific brand and/or specific software that's only available for Mac or Windows, but not both. 2) Do some research in the field you'd like to get into once you're out of college. What companies might be part of your career goal? Get in touch with people working in that field, at companies where you might want to work even, and ask them what types of computers and software they're using. As far as the laptop vs. desktop idea.. while a laptop is more convenient, especially if you'll be taking it to classes or the school library... it's also harder to upgrade or repair. And a desktop is a lot harder for someone to steal from your dorm room, if security is an issue. Come to think of it, if you're going to go the laptop route and leave it in a dorm room once in a while, then I recommend getting one of those security devices that has a steel cable you can use to lock the laptop to your desk.

Question: What careers/jobs can I go for if studying digital media? What kind of careers can you go into after studying digital media? I quite fancy web design or something like that. But what other options would I have? I'm planning a change in career so I want to know all options available to me.

Answer: I'm a toad

Question: What is the best way to store my digital media? I have pictures, videos, documents, and programs that i wish to save and keep forever. I don't want to worry about them getting ruined. can i have some advice on the best way to store digital media?

Answer: I have a network storage device (D-Link DNS-323). It has 2 hard drives. That is connected through the router. Any computer that is connected to the router can access the drive. It has a maximum of 2 TB of total storage. You could have it the drives mirrored, so that you have a backup of your media. 2 x 1TB HDD. It would be the safest way to save all your media. I have 2 x 750GB HDD. I really like it, because I use multiple machines at my home. Before I bought this, I was running one computer as the main storage and sharing the files, but I ran into some computer troubles and I thought I lost everything. It was a nightmare, so I decided to buy a backup drive and haven't regretted it. It's just an added piece of mind for me.

Question: What is the best way to learn about Web Design & Digital Media? Hi all, I would love to get into Web design & digital media and I was wondering what was the best way to learn how to use industry standard software such as: Dreamweaver, Flash & Photoshop in order for me to fulfill that interest?

Answer: I'm going to assume that when you say digital media you're referring to creative content made on the computer. The best way to get into web design and digital media is to set a solid foundation. For both, you will need to develop your design sense. This comes though exposure, experience, or study. I suggest that you take a basic class in graphic design through a continuing education program at a local college. This is better than sitting at home by yourself muddling through, because classmates and instructors will present new viewpoint, challenge your ideas, and provide dialogue. After the introduction with the graphic design class you can go into a web design class. With web design it is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL to start with a firm understanding of the basics. Learn how to script with HTML and CSS in a text editor first before creating websites in software like Dreamweaver, Frontpage, etc. Once you get the basics under your belt you will be able to wield the software in more powerful ways. You will also need Photoshop to create graphic assets for your websites. Software depends on personal preference, clients, and employer, but the major software packages that you'll do well to learn include, Photoshop (image manipulation and creation), Illustrator (illustrations), Indesign (print design), Flash (animation and interactive media), After Affect (motion graphics), or Premiere (video editing). For the technical and software side of the disciplines, again nothing beats a class, but there are plenty of resources online, on cds, as well as in books. http://www.webmonkey.com is a great resource for web scripting. http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp is dense for a beginner but is more comprehensive. If you have the money but you don't have the time for class take a look at http://www.lynda.com/ for excellent tutorials that will get you up to speed easily and quickly. For a beginner learning software I suggest not going online. Books are a cheap and great starting point, because they will provide you with structured learning. I recommend the Visual Quick Start series published by Peachpit Press. They will walk you through step by step with illustrations and lessons. Once you have gotten enough basics to start creating your first website O'Reilly publishes excellent references. Check out "Web Design in a Nutshell." If you're feeling a bit artsy and want to learn about the larger context of the digital realm read "Digital Art" by Christiane Paul. GOOD LUCK!!

Question: What types of jobs can you get with a Digital Media Arts degree?And what would be a good minor to go with it? I WANT TO STUDY DIGITAL MEDIA ARTS,BUT MY HUSBAND KEEPS TELLING ME THAT AS AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER I WOULD FIND MORE JOBS.WHAT SHOULD I DO? I REALLY NEED TO GRADUATE SOON.AND FIND A JOB SOON.BUT ARTS IS MY THING... How much should I expect to make?And where could I find a job in Southern California?

Answer: You can become an character animator, video games designer, advertiser, storyboard artist, scenery rigger, crime scene modeler, anything and everything to do with arts. Try Savannah Arts or CalArts, then go work for PIXAR, Dreamworks, or Electronic Arts. Starting income will not be satisfactory, but expect to get better pay as you work your way up to special effects director. You may choose to work by contractual projects (movies) or by stable income (games). Honey, if arts is yer thing, then go for it! My parents also doubted whether Digital Media would be profitable, but I'm now taking if for my Bachelor Degree. Believe in yourself, chase your dreams, blablablabla happy talk blablablabla. Basically, if you want it, you've gotta work for it. So what are you waiting for? :)

Question: Where can I find java games that will work with my npower fusion digital media player? I am trying to find some java based games that will work with my npower fusion digital media player. The formats have to be J2ME, CLDC 1.1, or MIDP2. I have downloaded some and for some reason they will NOT work on this thing! And I can't seem to find a website for this thing that will tell me what games will work and which ones won't. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Answer: Hi, I figured this one out :D What you need to do is get the .jar files from various websites, then get a program to turn .jar files into .jad files. I placed both the .jar and .jad, with the same names, into the java_vm folder. It may only need the .jad but I haven't tested it yet. The easiest way to get those games is to search for "mobile java games" or something like that. And the program I got to convert jar to jad was simply dropping the file into the box on the program, and the jad file was made in the same location as the .jar. Good luck and enjoy :D

Question: What is the difference between a Zune Video MP3 Player and a Zune Digital Media Player? There are two versions of Zune (besides size+color) that are on amazon. One is the "Video MP3 Player" which is the normal one I see around, but the other one is the "Digital Media Player" which is more expensive, more than double the cost of the former. Does anyone know the difference between these?

Answer: First they made Zune Video MP3 player! And then they changed the look Slightly and They call it Digital Media Player-that one is New! thats why th price is more! I love Zune! I have the old one and the new!

Question: How do i put Movies on to a portible Digital Media player ? i have just purchased a Digital Media player, I can put music on but i can't figure out how to put movies on it. It would be great if you can help me.

Answer: which 1 do u have?

Question: how to attach a digital media system to a tv for surround sound? Hi ive just bought a JVC TH-L1 digital media system, and I'm not sure how to connect all the cables to the medis box or sky box....I have a media box with my tv and also a sky hd box and a PS3 all connected and working fine, just not sure how to incorporate the digital media system to create surround, all the speakers are connected, its just the connections to the media box /ps3/sky hd box i'm stuck on, Thanks ! Additional Details of JVC box theres no inputs for tv or vcr/dvd ??? The only connection's on the JVC box are: Digital in: video in 1 video in 2 HDMi : monitor out video in 1 video in 2 Audio: video 1 video 2 Video: monitor out video in 1 video in 2 Component video: monitor out video in 1 video in 2 These are all the connections on the JVC digital media box...there is not a DVD installed with the box ! Not got the slightest clue which connections go to where :-( Any further help would be much appreciated

Answer: as long as everything is plugged and working fine on your TV run a red and white audio cable from TV to surround sound unit.if TV has no red white audio cable outlet run it from any of the audio sockets on your devices.if you have it plugged from TV then any program or system you use will automatically come through sound system

Question: Where to download videos Either free or pay for a sony walkman Digital Media Player? My daughters has a sony waqlkman digital media player I was needing to know where I can download videos to put on it. I will pay if I need to, please help me help my daughter.

Answer: download limewire and you can download video and music

Question: How do I move music from my Ipod to my to my SONY digital media player? I have a ton of music on my ipod and itunes library, but i recently got an Sony digital media player better suited for running. How can i move all of the music from itunes onto windows media player so i can put them on my new player? A lot of the music is purchases and I fear there is a difference in format. Any information will help greatly. Thank you

Answer: i guess the only thing you can do is find the folder where your music is located at. When you find it, just drag it into windows media player. Right click on a song in itunes and click show in windows explorer.

Question: what college classes do you need to get a Bachelor of fine arts in Digital Media? i just need to know what kind of classes i would have to take to get my BA in digital media. i also want to find out what schools in southern california offer it.

Answer: Well you have to find a school first and then the degree requirements vary from state to state and sometimes school to school.

Question: I don't know where to go: small digital agency or big online media owner? which one is the best? I have 2 job offers. One from a small digital media agency part of WPP, the position is in the search department. The other position is a Advertising op execution for an online media owner. They are both attractive But I don't know where to go. If you've worked in both or one of these area, please help me. Thanks.

Answer: Go with the one that will have better long term benefits for your career. If you have met the people you will be working with, opt for the team from whom you can gain the most.