What Schools Offer Multimedia Degrees in Chicago, Illinois?

Career Information for Multimedia Professionals in Illinois

With 1,040 employed, Illinois had the fifth highest employment level for multimedia artists and animators nationwide in May 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There were 890 multimedia artists and animators employed in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL, metro area alone. Despite the high employment levels in the state and metro area, the mean annual wage was around $59,000 in Illinois and $60,000 in the Chicago metro area, while the mean national average was approximately $68,000 per year.

Outsourcing will limit job growth for multimedia artists and animators, according to the BLS. From 2010-2020, national employment growth is expected to be slower than average at 8% for multimedia artists and animators. Competition is expected for the job openings available.

Studying Multimedia in Chicago

Multimedia degree programs near Chicago are mostly offered at private schools and range from broad programs in digital media and interactive arts to narrower programs in animation, video production and computer graphics. Cooperative work experiences or design projects are common throughout these programs, and fine arts programs usually require demonstrated experience with a portfolio for admission.

Multimedia Associate Degree Programs in Chicago, IL

College of Lake County

• Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Digital Media and Design
• Specialization Areas: Animation, graphic design, web development and interactive design
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition: $93 per credit hour for in-district students; $240 per credit for out-of-district students; $324 per credit for out-of-state students (tuition costs for fall 2012)
• Admission Requirements: Secondary school reference for students under 18 or in high school, letter of recommendation for students under 16
• School Type: 2-year, public; over 17,000 students (all undergrads)
• Address: 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030
• Phone: 847-543-2040

College of Lake County, located in Chicago's northern suburb of Grayslake, offers multimedia associate programs in digital media and design and digital A/V production and editing. The digital media and design program's animation specialty focuses on drawing, video editing, 2D and 3D animation, 3D modeling, special effects and digital sound. While the program's graphic design specialty focuses on electronic publishing, typography, web design and color, the web development and interactive design specialty includes a mix of graphic design, animation and web design courses. Both the graphic design and web development and interactive design specialties provide opportunities to participate in a practicum or cooperative work experience. Additionally, you can complete an Associate of Applied Science in Digital A/V Production and Editing program, which explores concepts in animation.

Multimedia Bachelor's Degree Programs in Chicago, IL

Calumet College of St. Joseph

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Media and Fine Arts
• Specialization Area: Media arts
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $7,340 per semester includes up to 18 credits (cost for 2012-2013)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; almost 1,000 undergrad and more than 150 grad students
• Address: 2400 New York Ave., Whiting, IN 46394
• Phone: 219-473-4270

Located in an Indiana town southeast of Chicago, this Catholic college offers a media arts concentration in its media and fine arts bachelor's degree program. The program includes coursework in art history and mass media, along with a design workshop. Concentration courses include video production and editing, cinema, animation, multimedia and computer graphics, and you can choose from other courses in drawing, photography, public relations and writing. In addition to building a portfolio during the program, you will also complete an integrated project and participate in an internship.

Columbia College Chicago

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interactive Arts and Media
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $10,600 per semester includes up to 16 credits (cost for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: 60 credit hours with B average for BFA admission
• Admission Requirements: Essay, letter of recommendation, web-based portfolio (for BFA only), artist statement or statement of intent (for BFA only)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; more than 11,100 undergrad and almost 500 grad students
• Address: 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605
• Phone: 312-369-7750

Columbia College has a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers interactive arts and media programs that include internship opportunities. The BA program is suitable for those interested in programming or interactive design, and it offers courses in digital image design, web programming, animation, C++ programming, game design and sound. The BFA program requires that you already have a portfolio of work and offers courses in 2D imaging, robotics, interactive media, story development and programming. While both the BA and BFA programs require a team-based capstone project, the BFA also requires a practicum.

DePaul University

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics and Motion Technology, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Animation
• Specialization Areas: Technical designer, developer, cinema, game art
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $31,650 per year includes up to 18 credits per semester (cost for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: English proficiency test scores for international students
• Admission Requirements: High school counselor recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 16,000 undergrad and 9,000 grad students
• Address: 243 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60604
• Phone: 312-362-8381

DePaul's computer graphics and motion technology program focuses on graphics creation, but also covers 3D animation and modeling, human-computer interaction and computer programming. While the technical designer specialization focuses more on visual aspects, the developer specialization focuses on graphics software development and requires more courses in mathematics and programming languages.

The BS and BA in Animation programs focus on 3D and hand-drawn animation. The BA program provides a wider liberal arts background, and the BS program allows you to specialize in creating art for videos games or digital characters for the cinema. In addition to specialization courses, both animation programs include courses in storyboarding, figure drawing, 3D design and animation history. You will also complete a senior animation project in both programs.

Multimedia Master's Degree Programs in Chicago, IL

DePaul University

• Program Name: Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Animation
• Specialization Areas: Animator, technical artist
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition: $740 per credit (cost for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with 2.5 GPA, English proficiency test for international students, prerequisite animation and 3D design courses before graduate-level coursework
• Admission Requirements: Submission of reel or portfolio of work including information sheet, letters of recommendation, statement of creative purpose and description of possible animation project additionally required for MFA applicants
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 16,000 undergrad and 9,000 grad students
• Address: 243 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60604
• Phone: 312-362-8381

DePaul's graduate animation programs are designed for students with a bachelor's degree in graphic design, art, animation, game development or a related field. The MA program with an animator specialization focuses on creating 3D characters, modeling and animation, as well as features courses in visual storytelling, animation mechanics and animation techniques. The program has electives that may include motion capture, 3D scripting and 3D rigging. The MA program with a technical artist concentration prepares you to both create and troubleshoot 3D animations, and it includes courses in 3D scripting, visual design, pipelining, effects, modeling, rigging and animation. The MFA program can prepare you to both create films and teach courses in the field. While both the MA and MFA programs require the creation of an animated short film, the MFA program also requires a thesis.