FAQ ... Frequently Asked Questions

............ What does it take to be successful in multimedia?

There are three simple things you need to be happy doing.

1. Sitting in front of a computer in a computer lab for 2.75 hours - with one short 12-minute break. You don't need computer skills - I'm happy to teach those - but you do need to be happy in front of a machine.
2. Designing things. You don't need design skills - I'm happy to teach those as well - but you do need to be happy creating projects. If you don't draw or have never drawn, you can be very successful in the class; if you draw, you can use those talents;
3. Working with specifications and having me as your "client" - as all professional designers must. This is not a drop-in computer art class - where you get to do whatever you want. For the multimedia program, there is a state-approved curriculum which contains designated competencies that are tied to specific projects. All projects' contents follow BVSD computer-use standards: no gore, violence, guns, profanity, etc. (Basically, if you can't do it, say it, or wear it on a BVSD campus - you can't have it in your projects.)

............ Do I have to draw to be in the class?

No, many units require no "drawing" - such as 3D animation, presentations, sound editing, and video editing. In addition, some students who don't draw have become award-winning designers. However, if you draw, you can use those talents. In this class, all the work is original - the class is not about Internet downloads - and you may take many pictures.

............ Is the program hard?

No, most students don't find it hard. You watch the software being demonstrated on an overhead projector - and listen to the instruction. Also, there are hand-outs for many techniques.

............ What kind of jobs are available in multimedia?

In multimedia, "more than one media," you explore ten topics. Since multimedia is a multi-faced field, you can do various design work - as a graphic designer, web designer, 3D modeler, animator, etc. Multimedia is a very competitive field; but design skills are useful in many professions - teaching, real estate, and marketing - and additional computer skills are always welcome. For some, multimedia becomes a hobby.

Last updated March 7, 2006