Multimedia programmer

Multimedia programmers use specialist software to create multimedia products such as graphics, images, sound, video, animation and text

As a multimedia programmer, you'll work with different multimedia features such as text, sound, graphics, digital photography, 2D/3D modelling, animation and video, to create innovative products.

You'll usually work to a designer's specification on multimedia products for websites, DVDs, computer games, mobile apps and interactive animated films.

Multimedia programmers are specialist software engineers and have the knowledge to choose the right programming language, such as HTML, Flash, PHP, etc. as well as ensure the product can be used across different platforms, like Android or iOS.

Multimedia is often also described as new media, interactive media, digital media and online/internet services.

Responsibilities

As a multimedia programmer, you'll need to:

• work with the designer and other creative specialists (such as animators, video producers and 3D modellers) to understand the design concept, and advise on how it can be implemented technically within constraints
• sort out operational logic and business rules, necessary for the feature to be reproduced correctly according to the designer's specification
• write efficient computer code or script to make the various features work, ensuring that sound, graphics, animations and timings work as intended and make good use of processing and data storage capacity
• create and link databases to the user interface so that information can be retrieved, stored and processed interactively via the application
• write HTML or similar input and use authoring packages where appropriate to create content and effects
• run tests of the application to identify bugs that need to be dealt with
• solve problems by rewriting the code or adding new code that works around the problem
• provide technical support to an application once it's running and make further adaptations, patches or rewrites to the code
• research and keep abreast of emerging technologies, in order to deliver the most up to date solutions, including learning new programming languages or technologies
• take on other roles, such as design and animation - although this applies mostly to smaller projects and depends on your level of expertise.

Salary

• Junior salaries start at around £18,000 to £20,000.
• With more experience, and responsibility, you can expect to earn in the region of £25,000 to £50,000.
• With greater experience and expertise in niche areas, you can earn £55,000+.

The title of multimedia programmer can cover multimedia developer, designer and engineer and as a result salaries can differ greatly depending on the actual role.

If training is involved, salaries are generally lower during the initial training period.

There are many opportunities for contract and freelance work in the industry. These can pay well but are balanced by fewer benefits, such as paid leave and job security.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are often slightly later than most office-based work, typically from 9.30am to 6pm. It's also likely you'll work longer hours when assignments are nearing completion, to ensure you stay on schedule.

What to expect

• You'll usually work as part of a team, in an open-plan environment.
• There is some client contact, but you won't need to travel much as most of the work is electronic.
• Jobs are quite widely available, but entry-level positions may be more difficult to find. Locations tend to be in major urban areas, particularly London and the South East, and are concentrated where there are clusters of other creative industries, such as broadcast media, filmmaking and animation.
• Women are currently underrepresented in the IT profession. Organisations such as BCSWomen provide information and advice to women interested in a career in the industry. Visit Women in Technology for job information.
• With experience, it's possible to set up your own small company.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree/HND in the following relevant subject areas may increase your chances:

• computer science or software engineering
• engineering or electronics
• fine or visual art
• graphic design and illustration
• interactive or multimedia technology or design and animation
• mathematics or physics
• spatial design
• 3D design or digital art.

It's essential to build up a good personal multimedia portfolio to demonstrate your skills and creativity. This portfolio can include an interactive website or an animated computer game or presentation incorporating a variety of media.

Many university courses in multimedia and computer sciences have a placement year in industry, which can be helpful for building up your portfolio and gaining hands-on experience.

Employers will want to be sure that you have a strong programming background, so courses in mathematics, engineering, art and design may be a good entry route if you can also demonstrate aptitude and skills in multimedia applications.

Entry without a degree or HND is difficult as there is intense competition but having a strong portfolio or experience in designing personal web pages will help. Some employers may also stipulate a degree rather than an HND.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not necessary, though an MSc in multimedia or similar may compensate for a non-relevant first degree.

Search for postgraduate multimedia courses.

Skills

You will need to show evidence of the following:

• interactive design skills, such as user/task analysis and interface design/evaluation
• programming skills, such as authoring, engineering and quality testing
• understanding of layout, design and graphics
• endless enthusiasm
• ability to work effectively in a small project team
• good communication skills
• logical approach to problem solving
• ability to manage a complex range of tasks to meet deadlines.

Employers also usually look for knowledge and experience in relevant software and programming languages such as Flash, .NET, C++, Javascript, HTML, CSS, PHP, AJAX and Ruby on Rails.

Specific employer requirements vary depending on the sector and the platform being used.

Work experience

You'll need to evidence your skills so be prepared to show prospective employers examples of your work.

Pre-entry experience is desirable so try to find relevant vacation work, voluntary work, projects or placements.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Multimedia programmers are typically employed in specialist multimedia companies, as well as other organisations that use or create multimedia products.

You can find work as a multimedia programmer within the following industry sectors:

• advertising and marketing
• broadcasting
• education
• IT and games
• publishing and media
• telecommunications - particularly mobile phone suppliers and networks.

Typical employers include:

• construction developers
• DVD authoring companies
• educational institutions and e-learning suppliers
• facilities houses, offering support services such as post production and special physical effects for the creative industries
• games publishers
• independent production companies and broadcasting companies
• interactive design agencies
• interactive museums and visitor attractions
• internet service providers (ISPs) and web hosting services
• marketing and advertising agencies
• organisations with in-house websites and/or new media or multimedia departments.

Look for job vacancies at:

• British Interactive Media Association (BIMA)
• CWJobs
• Technojobs

As IT job titles and descriptions aren't standardised, the work of a multimedia programmer may overlap with the role of a web developer, games developer, systems developer or software engineer.

With experience, contracting may be an attractive option. While most job sites cover contractor roles, you can also try sites such as Contractor UK.

Professional development

Skills and knowledge requirements move on very quickly in multimedia and, consequently, the most important training consideration for programmers is to keep up to date with new developments. In most cases, this means adapting existing skills to a new package, learning a new programming language or working with a new platform.

You may learn from other members of a team, attend short courses, keep up to date via newsgroups, follow websites that showcase the newest ideas, and read specialist journals. It's possible that you'll have to take responsibility for your own development. Check out these useful sources of development training:

• Lists of courses, conferences and qualifications in media and multimedia are published at British Film Institute (BFI) and ScreenSkills.
• BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) provides professional qualifications, IT-related courses, information and guidance.
• Further education (FE) and higher education (HE) institutions run a variety of courses.

It may increase your chances of movement or progression if you specialise in particular multimedia formats, such as web applications, mobile technologies or interactive television.

Career prospects

You may choose to remain focused on the production of multimedia, in the area you started in, or moving into new skill areas, such as:

• the internet
• interactive television
• games development
• e-learning.

With experience, you could move into middle or senior management roles, such as that of team leader, project manager or production manager.

You could also find work as a project manager, coordinating the input of a group of skilled professionals. With the ultimate responsibility of ensuring the project is completed satisfactorily, to deadline. The role of project manager requires an all-round skillset, covering business, content, design and technical competencies.

As the multimedia industry evolves, digital security and online services are becoming major growth areas, with the opportunity for skilled professionals to work with larger and more diverse audiences in new markets such as China. Most multimedia companies are small and tend to focus on providing specialist services to niche markets.