Demand for illustrators who work on a computer will increase as Web sites use more detailed images and backgrounds in their designs. Many cartoonists, in particular, opt to post their work on political Web sites and online publications. Cartoonists often create animated or interactive images to satisfy readers’ demands for more sophisticated images. The small number of medical illustrators will also be in greater demand as medical research continues to grow.

Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Additional job openings will arise from an increasing demand for Web site development and for computer graphics adaptation from the growing number of mobile technologies. Animators are also increasingly finding work in alternative areas such as scientific research or design services.

Employment for Multimedia Artists and Animators from 2006 to 2016 is expected to grow by 26%, faster than average for all occupations.

This is where Rasmussen's Multimedia Technologies Associate’s and Digital Design and Animation Bachelor’s degrees take our students. It's definitely a great place to be--certainly now, as much as it ever has been!

- Hap

Our students and prospective students are always thoughtful when it comes to their career paths after graduation, and this is especially true in the current uncertain economic environment. News from the video game industry is very good, and as NPD’s (market research group) Anita Frazier states, “Heading into the critical fourth quarter, the U.S. games industry is on solid ground.”

This is a very encouraging data point not just for our game students, but for all of our digital design students in general. The game industry directly employs multimedia developers, web programmers, and graphic artists with the skill sets our students have coming out of our Multimedia Technologies programs. Indirectly, through advertisers, service vendors, retailers, and many other associated businesses, the game industry pulls along with it the types of businesses that have a need for our students. This year, the game industry will hit $22 billion in sales. That’s huge, and our students should be feasting on that pie.

The articles below speak to the trends and provide some data you will find interesting. If you are a current or prospective student, this information should give you some confidence that our game and digital design programs are excellent programs as you consider your futures careers.

http://www.dvhardware.net/article31259.html - “It seems sales of video games and hardware aren't suffering at all from the financial crisis. Data released by indicates sales in the US jumped 18 percent last month and the forecast for the holiday season looks well.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/11/10/daily115... - “Though the economy is slumping, sales of video games rose in October, according to NPD Group.”

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE4AD0MS20081114... – “The videogames industry is set to top $22 billion in 2008, according to NPD.”

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/153946.asp - “Despite increasing economic anxiety, the video game industry continued to grow during the third quarter.”

- Hap Aziz