Can you make a career out of your art and graphic design training? How about your skills with a camera, or with audio design? The current demand for these skills says yes. Companies need trained digital media artists to build websites, design compelling social media content, and improve the user experience. Even though tools like AI and Canva make it seem like anyone can make digital media, they require an artist’s training to create effective designs.
If you ever wanted a career in a creative field, studying the digital media arts is the way to go.
In this Article
What Are the Digital Media Arts?
Digital media refers to all digital communications created, stored, and shared on a computer platform. The digital media arts include video, visual art, music and audio, and written communications. If a digital media creator uses a software program to design content, that is digital media. In the case of physical paintings and video and still photography on film, the art that is viewed and consumed online is translated into digital media.
Examples of digital media include:
- Videos. Whether feature films or TikTok reels, videos are digital media.
- Audio. What was once a radio broadcast is now a podcast. Audio is no longer analog but translated into ones and zeros.
- Visual art. Line art, advertisements, posters, paintings, and digital photography are almost entirely created digitally, even if they end up as a print piece.
- Website design. Designers create the website look and feel using tools such as Figma and hand the design over to developers to code.
- Written content. Ebooks, online newspapers, and other written content may exist in two versions, as physical media and as digital content accessed online or through an e-reader.
It’s important to note that digital media is still media. Even if the tools make it easy to create something, it takes dedication and experience to do it well.
AI and the Digital Media Arts
We can’t talk about digital media without talking about AI. AI is changing the game when it comes to creative careers. It has impacted many industries and will probably have even a greater impact in the years ahead. Short-sighted companies are switching to AI-generated design and copy, which may cause the demand for digital media professionals to contract.
However, there are already signs that companies are backing away from AI, at least in some content creation. AI is famous for coming out with incorrect information known as “hallucinations.” Because AI uses a large dataset to come up with its responses, it may come up with designs that have already been created, rather than anything insightful or new. AI also relies on the vast creative world to draw on for its responses, so it can’t exist without human creativity. This has serious legal and ethical implications.
That said, AI is likely to get better at producing digital media. It may give rise to new fields of creative innovation. So understanding how to use AI as a tool may become a necessary part of a digital media creator’s job. Many design tools already have AI-powered systems, so that’s another reason to add AI to your skills.
Why Earn a Degree in Digital Media?
Think about a TikTok reel that made you laugh and share with friends. How about a website that was effortless to navigate – and those other websites that make you close your browser in frustration. What about a song you heard, a podcast you listen to on your run, and art that makes you think?
If you’ve ever wanted to create something like that, work that makes someone think, laugh, and share, then you might want to earn a degree in digital media.
It is true that making a career as an artist can be difficult. But digital media combines art and technology. Mastering both is the first step toward building a career in the digital age.
In a digital media program, you’ll get hands on training with industry tech. You’ll get access to cameras, recording equipment, software. and more. You’ll also train your artist’s eye with the help from professionals who work as digital media artists themselves.
The following five careers are examples of digital media jobs that combine art and technology and can be a satisfying way to make a living.
Visual Communication
Visual communication uses digital and traditional tools to convey a message. This could be a print or digital ad, a concert poster, or an infographic. The goal of visual communication is to get across a specific concept to the viewer. Visual communications can use text as well as images, and the images are thoughtfully selected and designed so that they are the message.
Visual Communications Skills
Students who take visual communications classes will learn design concepts, art history, typography, and illustration, and they will also learn digital publishing, vector graphics, and responsive design.
Core skills include software proficiency (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud), color and composition knowledge, visual storytelling, and design fundamentals.
One visual communications job that is in high demand is user experience (UX) design. UX designers develop the interface for websites and apps so they are easy and intuitive to use. They use their graphic design experience as well as planning, research, and user testing before creating wireframes and designs.
Other jobs include graphic designer, publication designer, and art director. All of these jobs require an artistic eye and an understanding of what makes good design. These jobs also require technical skills that students can learn in a digital media program.
Visual Communications Career Challenges
While a visual communications career can be creatively fulfilling, there are some challenges. It can be difficult to get a foothold in a highly competitive job market. Entry-level salaries can be low. The impact of AI is also a factor, as clients and companies decide that saving money is more important than quality.
Successful designers focus on professional networking and building a portfolio of work that they can add to and update often. Designers should also keep up with their technical skills, as technology changes and trends move fast.
Radio, Television & Film (RTF)
Film degrees are commonly called radio, television, film (RTF) programs. Students use digital cameras and variety of movie making equipment (lights, sound recording devices, and more) to tell fiction and nonfiction storylines. Although film is making a comeback, students primarily shoot digital video captured on a hard drive.
RTF Skills
Besides learning how to use digital filmmaking equipment, students also learn visual storytelling, planning and executing on a video project, and post-production skills such as editing, sound design, and motion graphics.
Core skills include camera operation, lighting, editing, storytelling, audio recording, and production workflow know-how.
Students can choose between technical certificates and associate degrees, and many choose to transfer to a university to get their bachelor’s degree and later an MFA.
A job in Hollywood isn’t the only career path for RTF students. Many cities have local TV and radio stations and creative media agencies. Corporations have in-house communications and PR teams that use video in their content. Freelance opportunities such as wedding videography are also a viable work option. Mid-sized to large cities often have a thriving independent filmmaking scene.
RTF Career Challenges
Competition for RTF jobs is fierce, and most jobs are freelance, which means inconsistent work and unstable income. Film crews work long days, which can impact work-life balance. Additionally, RTF professionals have to invest in expensive camera equipment and other gear.
However, for those in the film industry, the chance to make movies, TV shows, or podcasts outweigh the challenges.
Students should network with other industry professionals at film festivals and events to find job opportunities and creative partners.
Photography + Visual Media
A career in photography and visual media is a perfect blend of art and technology. Successful photographers create still images that combine composition, lighting, color, and visual imagery to create an emotional impact on the viewer. Visual media is all around us, not just on a computer screen. We engage with photography on billboards, in museums, and in print.
Photography Skills
Students will learn the use of digital cameras, including all of the settings for the perfect shot. They will also learn how to use tools such as Photoshop to edit their photos for the most effective presentation. Classes include photography for advertising and photo journalism, portrait photography, and digital darkroom techniques. Instructors will help students develop their artistic eye.
Photography Career Challenges
Gear can be expensive, as cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, and software are all essential for a career. Competition in a particular market can also impact the ability to make a living. As phone cameras have gotten better, everyone has a camera at their fingertips for all of life events, which has reduced demand for weddings, quinceañeras, and other traditional professional opportunities. For aspiring photojournalists, the closure of newspapers has meant fewer opportunities.
Photographers have to educate potential clients about the benefits of a trained professional to shoot their wedding or other event. Networking, customer referrals, a one-of-a-kind portfolio, and a strong social media presence can help build a successful career.
Audio Technology and Industry
Like most digital media, audio technology combines technical and creative skills. In addition, an audio technology and industry program also includes the business of entertainment. These degrees and certificates equip students with the training they need to go into recording, production, talent management, events management, and entertainment law.
This program area is also heavy on internships. In Austin, Texas’s vibrant music industry, students who take audio tech can get internships with studios, event management companies, music festivals, and more. The Austin music scene is also a great way to network with artists, managers, businesses, and fellow creatives.
Audio Technology Core Skills
Students gain experience in sound recording, mixing, live production, music law/business, artist development, and studio technology. Getting a chance to use recording equipment to create perfect audio, as well as professional software such as Premiere Audition, Pro Tools, and Ableton, is a great way to hone your skills for the workforce.
Job opportunities include audio engineer, live sound technician, music producer, artist manager, music business specialist, and concert production crew.
Audio Technology Career Challenges
The music industry is freelance-heavy. Gig work can be irregular, with long periods in between jobs. To be successful, you have to work hard at building your network, and you will have to stay up to date on advancement in the technology.
As any sound person knows, sound is hard, but that’s the good news. The barriers to entry are steep, because not only is gear expensive, there’s also a learning curve. Being a professional sound person takes commitment, both to get good and get better.
Technical Communications
If you think you’ll never need to write anything more than an e-mail once you get a job, well, think again. Professional writing skills are more important than ever, especially in this era of AI.
What is a technical communications degree? This program teaches writing skills for highly specialized documents, such as technical manuals, regulatory instructions, government materials, engineering documentation, and more. Writing for social media, speechwriting for business leaders and politicians, and public relations and internal affairs all fall under technical communications.
Technical Communications Skills
Here’s what you’ll learn in a technical communications program. Grammar, punctuation, and style. The interpretation of technical information for different audiences. Social media strategy. Persuasive language. Appropriate language choice for audiences by age, education, and interest.
If you still think that you won’t need a writing degree, here’s how these professionals use technical communications in their day job.
Communications jobs include technical writer, social media communications specialist, documentation editor, content strategist in tech, science, or government sectors, and public relations specialist, and reporter.
ACC graduates in the technical communications program have gone on to work for IBM and Dell as well as government agencies.
Technical Communications Challenges
Clear writing is a difficult skill to master. Professional communicators must have a strong grasp of grammar, punctuation, style, and organization. Literacy and precision are essential, and in some contexts, errors can be costly.
The increase in the use of AI prompts also poses a challenge. AI is a powerful tool for writers, but as with any tool, it can be mis-used. Unfortunately, non-writers are increasingly using AI to write everything from e-mails to longer works, which can lead to unclear and error-filled texts.
As employers come to see the downsides of AI-created technical communications, the market for good writing should pick up.
5 Digital Media Arts Programs Pros and Cons
| Program | Key Appeal | Top Careers | Insights |
| Visual Communication | Blend of UX + design skills | UX/graphic designer, visual designer | High competition, tools evolve quickly |
| Radio-Television-Film | Hands-on media production | Producer, editor, media technician | Unpredictable hours; gear investments |
| Photography + Visual Media | Creative + business foundation | Photographer, retoucher, visual media | Portfolio building essential; freelance volatility |
| Audio Technology & Industry | Technical + music industry immersion | Audio engineer, production tech | Gig-based work; rapid tech shifts |
| Technical Communications | Specialized, in-demand writing skills | Technical writer, content strategist | Requires technical literacy and precision |
Design Your Career with Digital Media Arts
Here’s your action plan for a career in the digital media arts.
- Explore creative training and education. ACC’s arts, digital media, and communications area of study is a great resource for learning about each of these and many other creative degrees.
- Map out your transfer goals. A community college is a great start to a four-year degree. Work with the transfer team at your school to design a transfer path to a university.
- Build your portfolio. Start thinking about your body of work from your first classes.
- Network. Network. Network. Collaborate with fellow students and professors, and go to industry events as a student. This is also how you will stay updated on industry trends.
Ready to Get Started? Explore ACC’s Digital Media Programs
Whether you are a first-time college student, training for a new career, or looking to pick up additional college classes, a community college is a great place to start. ACC’s advising teams are ready to help you find the program that meets your needs. Explore the digital media arts to discover your creative path.
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