Science & ResearchISCO 2166
Digital media designer
A digital media designer is a person who creates and edits graphics, animation, sound, text and film in order to help produce integrated multimedia products. The work can cover the internet, social networks, augmented reality and virtual reality, but excludes producing music with physical instruments and complex software synthesis tools. A digital media designer may also programme and build websites, mobile applications and other multimedia products.
Check yourself in a minute: digital media designer
Rate 5 of the 22 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
digital content creation
use markup languages
use e-services
develop digital content
perform image editing
About digital media designer
The defining word in the role is integrated. The output is not a single graphic or sound but an integrated multimedia product combining graphics, animation, sound, text and video. The designer also incorporates content into output media, preparing it for its final format.
Production is the daily substance. The designer works in digital content creation, prepares the multimedia content, uses the graphics editors, converts material into animated elements, and works from a knowledge of digital systems.
Building is part of the same role rather than a separate one. The designer works with stylesheet languages and may programme and build the site or the application the media are delivered through, and uses the online collaboration platforms through which a multimedia product is assembled from the work of several people who are rarely in the same place.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (22)
digital content creationdigital content creationCreate and edit new content (from word processing to images and video); integrate and re-elaborate previous knowledge and content; produce creative expressions, media outputs and programming; deal wit...digital systemsdigital systemsSystems to store, process and spread information in digital form. They are hardware, software and networks, as well as the ways in which these can be employed.web programmingweb programmingThe programming paradigm that is based on combining markup (which adds context and structure to text) and other web programming code, such as AJAX, javascript and PHP, in order to carry out appropriat...adobe creative suiteadobe creative suiteThe set of software applications that are used to create visual content for personal or business use. Examples of items that can be generated are flyers, brochures, books, websites and videos.task algorithmisationtask algorithmisationThe techniques to convert unstructured descriptions of a process into step-by-step sequence of actions of a finite number of steps.web based collaborative platformsweb based collaborative platformsOnline tools which facilitate communication and collaboration among Internet users in real time. Platforms with a range of functionalities created to facilitate organisational team work or promote pro...graphics editor softwaregraphics editor softwareThe field of graphical ICT tools which enable digital editing and composition of graphics, such as GIMP, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, to develop both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics.digital mediadigital mediaThe set of medias that are transmitted through electronic devices.style sheet languagesstyle sheet languagesThe field of computer language that conveys the presentation of structured documents such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such...authoring softwareauthoring softwareThe software that provides pre-programmed elements which allow the development of interactive multimedia applications in order to edit, structure and lay out content intended for publication.publishing strategypublishing strategyThe methods, rules, media and tools of publishing content from content management systems in single sources or cross media.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.use markup languagesuse markup languagesUtilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text, to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.use e-servicesuse e-servicesParticipate in society through the use of public and private digital services. Seek opportunities for self-empowerment and for participatory citizenship through appropriate digital technologies.develop digital contentdevelop digital contentCreate and edit digital content in different formats, express oneself through digital means.perform image editingperform image editingEdit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.convert into animated objectconvert into animated objectConvert real objects into visual animation elements, using animation techniques such as optical scanning.integrate content into output mediaintegrate content into output mediaCompile and integrate media and text content into online and offline systems, such as websites, platforms, applications and social media, for publishing and distribution.manage online contentmanage online contentEnsure the website content is up to date, organised, attractive and meets the target audience needs, the requirements of the company and international standards by checking the links, setting the publ...provide multimedia contentprovide multimedia contentDevelop multimedia materials such as screen shots, graphics, slide shows, animations and videos to be used as content integrated in a broader informational context.design graphicsdesign graphicsApply a variety of visual techniques in order to design graphic material. Combine graphical elements to communicate concepts and ideas.create website wireframecreate website wireframeDevelop an image or set of images that display the functional elements of a website or page, typically used for planning a website's functionality and structure.
Optional (78) — show
problem-solving with digital toolsproblem-solving with digital toolsIdentify digital needs and resources, make informed decisions on most appropriate digital tools according to the purpose or need, solve conceptual problems through digital means, creatively use techno...HaskellHaskellThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Haskell.ErlangErlangThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Erlang.SAS languageSAS languageThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAS language.Ruby (computer programming)Ruby (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Ruby.Common LispCommon LispThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Common Lisp.Apache MavenApache MavenThe tool Apache Maven is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit of software during its development and maintenance.LispLispThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Lisp.SassSassThe computer language Sass is a style sheet language that conveys the presentation of structured documents. These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color...Visual BasicVisual BasicThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Visual Basic.Adobe PhotoshopAdobe PhotoshopThe computer program Adobe Photoshop is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software...Java (computer programming)Java (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Java.computer programmingcomputer programmingThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms (e.g. object oriented programming, functional programming) a...LESSLESSThe computer language LESS is a style sheet language that conveys the presentation of structured documents. These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color...Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorThe computer program Adobe Illustrator CC is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the sof...3D printing process3D printing processThe process of reproducing 3D objects by using 3D printing technologies.Prolog (computer programming)Prolog (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Prolog.OpenEdge Advanced Business LanguageOpenEdge Advanced Business LanguageThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in OpenEdge Advanced Business Language.visual presentation techniquesvisual presentation techniquesThe visual representation and interaction techniques, such as histograms, scatter plots, surface plots, tree maps and parallel coordinate plots, that can be used to present abstract numerical and non-...JavaScriptJavaScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in JavaScript.PerlPerlThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Perl.Smalltalk (computer programming)Smalltalk (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Smalltalk.PHPPHPThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in PHP.Assembly (computer programming)Assembly (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Assembly.GIMP (graphics editor software)GIMP (graphics editor software)The computer program GIMP is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by The GIMP Development Te...C#C#The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C#.RRThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in R.GroovyGroovyThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Groovy.ASP.NETASP.NETThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ASP.NET.APLAPLThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in APL.WebCMSWebCMSThe web-based software systems used for creating, editing, publishing and archiving blogs, articles, web pages or press releases which are mostly managed by users with limited web programming knowledg...Puppet (tools for software configuration management)Puppet (tools for software configuration management)The tool Puppet is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.STAFSTAFThe tool STAF is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.WordPressWordPressThe open-source web-based software systems used for creating, editing, publishing and archiving blogs, articles, web pages or press releases which are mostly managed by users with limited web programm...AnsibleAnsibleThe tool Ansible is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.Microsoft Visual C++Microsoft Visual C++The computer program Visual C++ is a suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface. It is dev...SketchBook ProSketchBook ProThe computer program SketchBook Pro is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software ...TypeScriptTypeScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in TypeScript.Microsoft VisioMicrosoft VisioThe computer program Microsoft Visio is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software...JSSSJSSSThe computer language JSSS is a style sheet language that conveys the presentation of structured documents. These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color...CoffeeScriptCoffeeScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in CoffeeScript.Objective-CObjective-CThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Objective-C.ML (computer programming)ML (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ML.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.digitizationdigitizationThe process of transforming an object from its analogical form to a digital format. It creates a digital representation of the object without making in-kind changes to it.augmented realityaugmented realityThe process of adding diverse digital content (such as images, 3D objects, etc) on surfaces that exist in the real world. The user can interact in real-time with the technology by using devices such a...SynfigSynfigThe computer program Synfig is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by Robert Quattlebaum.AJAXAJAXThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in AJAX.C++C++The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C++.SAP R3SAP R3The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAP R3.Swift (computer programming)Swift (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Swift.MATLABMATLABThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in MATLAB.Salt (tools for software configuration management)Salt (tools for software configuration management)The tool Salt is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit.audio editing softwareaudio editing softwareThe various software for editing and generating audio, such as Adobe Audition, Soundforge, and Power Sound Editor.Python (computer programming)Python (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Python.Scratch (computer programming)Scratch (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scratch.VBScriptVBScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in VBScript.COBOLCOBOLThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in COBOL.CSSCSSThe computer language CSS is a style sheet language that conveys the presentation of structured documents. These documents have to adhere to style sheets, a set of stylistic rules such as font, color ...Pascal (computer programming)Pascal (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Pascal.ABAPABAPThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ABAP.Jenkins (tools for software configuration management)Jenkins (tools for software configuration management)The tool Jenkins is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit of software during its development and maintenance.Capture OneCapture OneThe computer program Capture One is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics.ScalaScalaThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scala.perform online data analysisperform online data analysisAnalyse online experiences and online data for purposes of understanding user behaviour, triggers of online attention, and other factors that could optimise webpage development and exposure.use presentation softwareuse presentation softwareUse software tools to create digital presentations which combine various elements, such as graphs, images, text and other multimedia.conduct content quality assuranceconduct content quality assuranceCarry out validation of content by reviewing it according to formal and functional quality, usability and applicable standards.take picturestake picturesTake photographs of individual people, families and groups, either in a studio setting or on location.use content management system softwareuse content management system softwareUse software that allows publishing, editing and modifying content as well as maintenance from a central interface.perform video editingperform video editingRearrange and edit video footage in the course of the post-production process. Edit the footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as colour correction and effects, speed effects, ...analyse business requirementsanalyse business requirementsStudy clients' needs and expectations for a product or service in order to identify and resolve inconsistencies and possible disagreements of involved stakeholders.edit recorded soundedit recorded soundEdit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.give live presentationgive live presentationDeliver a speech or talk in which a new product, service, idea, or piece of work is demonstrated and explained to an audience.study media sourcesstudy media sourcesStudy various media sources such as broadcasts, print media, and online media in order to gather inspiration for the development of creative concepts.define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...build business relationshipsbuild business relationshipsEstablish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the orga...perform resource planningperform resource planningEstimate the expected input in terms of time, human and financial resources necessary to achieve the project objectives.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a digital media designer do?
Digital media designers create and edit graphics, animations, sound, text and video to assist in the creation of integrated multimedia products. They may perform activities related to the web, social networks, augmented reality and virtual reality but exclude the production of music using physical instruments and complex software sound synthesis tools. Digital media designers may program and build websites, mobile applications and other multimedia products.
What skills does a digital media designer need?
A digital media designer needs 22 essential skills, including digital content creation, digital systems, web programming, adobe creative suite, task algorithmisation.
Will AI replace digital media designer jobs?
The AI disruption score for digital media designer is 57/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: digital content creation, develop digital content, JSSS. Most resilient: build business relationships, give live presentation, computer programming.
AI Replacement Risk
57/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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