Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic
-Arthur C. Clake

In other words that's Multimedia for you, a rapidly evolving technology, that is bridging the gap between reality and magic.

Multimedia has revolutionized every aspect of life around us and is fast gaining acceptance in the shape of careers.

Will you just have a job? or a Successful Career?

* What is Multimedia

* Multimedia: The Way to go for the New Millennium

* What do you need to become a Multimedia Professional?

* How much promise does Multimedia hold for me?

Multimedia is the generic term for technology that combines multiple types of communications media like text, colors, words, illustrations, graphics, sound, voice, animation, video and images and provides for interactivity within these media. It is the latest revolution to sweep the world of information technology. Multimedia is a marriage of Arts and Science. And over the past few years, Multimedia has evolved to be the ideal career choice for creative artists who harbour ambitions in careers like advertising, film making, computer animation, computer graphics, television, print and publishing and other such exciting areas. This rapid evolution of multimedia as a popular career choice brought to the fore the need to create trained Multimedia professionals.

What is Multimedia?

Gone are the days when students graduated and then I just drifted into whatever job was available. Today, they need to decide which field they will make their mark in. This of course, is a result of their innate ability honed with the right training. Together, that will make the difference between just having a job and a successful career

Multimedia: The Way to go for the New Millennium

You always thought Multimedia was an exciting field to be in. But what exactly does it involve? Do you have to be very techno-savvy? Do you need to have a specific background or a degree? How easy or difficult is it for you to get a job here? What are the requirements? Relax. We have all those answers for you.

First of all, what does the term Multimedia mean? It involves the integration of different media such as text, sound, video, two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) graphics and animation; with a capacity for user interaction with the Multimedia product.

What do you need to become a Multimedia Professional?

An enthusiasm to create, capability to visualize and a desire to experiment and absorb technical aspects is what goes into making a good multimedia specialist. Be it an electronic book, an eye-grabbing web page, an interactive kiosk, an interactive game or educational product, multimedia professionals work within the field contributing content towards these products.

How much promise does Multimedia hold for me?

The applications of Multimedia are diverse and are extensively used in many industries such as Web & Internet, Music, Entertainment / Films, Video Games, Education and so on. The increasing use of Multimedia in these sectors is bringing about new career opportunities in these sectors as well as other sectors, which service them, like Advertising Agencies, Print and Publishing etc. As a career opportunity, multimedia is phenomenal. The demand for such professionals is constantly growing in India and abroad. India has emerged one of the largest markets to produce such multimedia specialists and the world is coming to us today to equip their studios with our professionals with their sound technical knowledge and strong fundamentals.

* Multimedia in Animation

* Multimedia in Entertainment

* Multimedia in the Web and internet

* Multimedia in Imaging, Print and Publishing

* Multimedia in Designing

* Interactive and Gaming

* Future Trends and Technologies

Multimedia in Animation:

Animation has brought many imaginary characters and stories to life. From Mickey Mouse's endearing antics to Lara Croft's edge-of-the-seat adventures, generations have grown up admiring this magic. In India alone, 300.000* professionals by 2008 are expected to be employed in the animation Industry. Animation Application Areas include Entertainment (Movies, Television). Business (Marketing Demos, Product Promotions), Sales (Presentations), Education (CBTs/WBTs), Tourism (Kiosks), Publishing (Graphics & Printing), Web Design, Virtual Reality for Simulations in Defense, Engineering. Advertising (Commercials, Print Ads), Interiors and Fashion Design.

Career Opportunities: Visualizers, Ink and Paint Artists, Special Effects Persons, Character Animators and Modeling Artists.

For the Record: The animation industry is expected to generate substantial export revenues in the years to come. A number of animation studios are already dotting the landscape and major organizations in the US are outsourcing animation projects to these entities. Source:Nasscom Strategic Review 2003

The global entertainment market will generate a demand for animation production services to the order of $37 billion by 2003 - Nasscom Survey

Multimedia in Entertainment

Entertainment has undergone a complete facelift with the help of Multimedia. From the fearsome dinosaurs in Jurassic Park to the nifty sound and video effects in television commercials. Multimedia has changed the way we see the world. With the growth of this industry, there is an increasing demand for multimedia professionals in India and abroad. With proper training and experience, sky is the limit for you!

Career Opportunities:Video Editor, Visual effects designer, Software Editor, Software mixer, Audio & Video Specialist, Author, Script Writer, Animator, Visual effects Professional, Cartoon Animator, Set Designer, Audio Editor, 3D Animator, Character Animator, Special Effects Manager.

For the record: The Indian film industry growing steadily at 15% over the last few years is expected to reach Rs.5000 crore by 2006.

Andersen Research Report: According to a report by Arthur Andersen, the current size of the entertainment industry is Rs.9,600 crores and will grow to an estimated Rs.28,000 crores by 2005. Source : CII, YOM Report 2002-03

Multimedia on the Web:

Emails and websites have been given an entirely new dimension by Multimedia. Internet has become the new Art of communication that has opened the gateway to the global community. Extensive knowledge of multimedia can equip you for unimaginable growth prospects in this field

Career Opportunities:Page Layout Artist, Layout Artist, Web Graphics Designer, Web Developer, Visualizer, Graphic Designer, Web Programmer, Web Content Developer, Web Animators, Site Manager, Art Consultant, Project Manager, Content Editor.

For the Record: The number of Internet subscribers in the year 2004 - 05 are likely to reach 7.7 million, with the user base to grow over 50 million. The forecast assumes PC prices will decline by nearly 40% and PC penetration would be 13 per 1000 persons. Source: CII, YOM Report 2002 - 03

As the explosive growth of the internet rolls on, data networks will continue to converge with more traditional telecommunications networks, and most certainly there will be a mixture of telecommunications & IP technology and standards used in the converged networks of tomorrow. IDSA report, 2002

Multimedia in Imaging, Print and Publishing:

Multimedia has given the printed word its new technology savvy identity. And the effect is visible in the obviously improved layouts, and the unprecedented Quality of the print work that we see everyday. The wide acceptance and deliverability of print media makes it a lucrative field for a multimedia professional.

Career Opportunities:Creative Director, Art director, Visualizer, Graphic Designer, DTP Specialist, Cartographer, Page Layout Artist, Studio Manager, Art Consultant, Cartoonist, Editing Professional.

Multimedia in Designing:

Multimedia enables the designers to see their imagination take shape virtually. Through static 3D-object modeling and scene designing through computer graphics, designers can now experiment with designs, using a range of colours. Forms, textures and tones. Thus expanding their creativity beyond every conceivable barrier.

Career Opportunities:Visualizer, Fashion Designer, Interior Designer, Dress Designers, Jewellery Designers, Set Designer, Industrial Designer

For the Record: The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council is expecting a 10% annual growth India's jewellery exports over the next few years. The World Gold Council has been encouraging Indian designers to participate in international jewellery courses. Source: CII, YOM Report 2002-03

Interactive and Gaming:

Multimedia has expanded the potential and opportunities in Gaming and Interactive Communication industries. From fun-filled edutainment to addictive games on the internet, Cellular Phones and personal Digital Assistants, the field holds immense promise for those looking for an exciting career in a growing industry.

Career Opportunities: CD Rom Author, Multimedia Programmer, Game Developer, Graphic Designer, Content Developer, Media Content Manager, Animator, Edutainment Specialist, Layout artist.

Future Trends and Technologies

India is emerging as a production base in the field of animation, web designing, post-production and gaming industry. The content development and animation industry earns Rs. 2200 crore and is expected to grow 5 times this size by 2008.