Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

The Work

The designer works to a brief from a client, or for an in-house project. The brief is the specification of the type of design required and how the finished product should appear, what its purpose is, who it is to target or appeal to, when the deadline is and what the budgetary limitations are.  
 
Designers will try to create the most visually interesting, appealing and relevant design for its purpose/intended use. Initially the designer must liaise with, and discuss concepts with the client and/or Project Manager.  
 
A storyboard design represents on paper how the project will look when complete, indicating colours, position of text, headings, logo, etc. If the design is accepted the designer proceeds with the final artwork for multimedia applications.  
 
Designers use computers at all stages of the design process.  
 
Producing a multimedia product is a team effort. Writers, artists, graphic designers, animators and sound engineers make the content of the files. The multimedia designer plays a vital role in translating this information into a language that the computer can understand.  
 
Everyone works very closely together under the direction of a producer. As the work progresses, they attend meetings to discuss what has been achieved and sort out problems.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
• Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
• Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
• Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
• Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
• Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
• Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
• Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
• Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
• Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay.

Further Information

• Multimedia Designer - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are many courses that give students training in the specific skills required to work as a designer in the multimedia industry, as well as several general design courses which also offer relevant training. 

Programmers may come from a design or computing background, but the role demands a combination of both creative and technical skills. A degree or course in multimedia design, new media or graphic design is preferred, but isn't strictly necessary.Solid knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite software packages: (i.e. Photoshop; Illustrator; Flash Animation and ActionScript coding; InDesign / Quark Xpress; Dreamweaver or another Web Authoring Package etc). 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Animation, Digital Media production, General Management, Project management- Prince 2 or scrum master in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Digital media, New media, Media production, Art, Design & Mixed Media, Business Management, Services management, Marketing & Social Media Management, Communications at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Animation, ICT-security, Network engineering, Software developer, Lean Sigma Manager, Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Communications, Business management, General Management NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Project Management, General Management, Media, Digital Media Design NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €70k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ Prosperity.ie/ CPL/ Azon/ Excel/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Institute of Designers in Ireland

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