Digital Media Schools in Tennessee

Digital media artists work in fields such as advertising, graphic design, and web design. In the state of Tennessee, particularly in principal cites such as Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, aspiring digital media artists can be found working at creative agencies, publishing houses, design firms, or in other creative environments. In addition to a variety of creative agencies, the Tennessee is home to a number of top-rated training programs for aspiring digital media artists.

Just a few popular Tennessee art and design schools include Watkins College of Art, Design & Film (Nashville), Memphis College of Art (MCA), O’More College of Design (Franklin), Belmont University (Nashville), and Union University (Jackson). While many of the state’s best colleges offer programs for artists and designers, four top-rated schools offer the best programs for aspiring digital media artists. Continue reading to learn more.

Tennessee Digital Media Schools

Tennessee is home to 109 Title IV colleges and universities. Title IV schools are eligible for federal financial aid programs. This means, even the most expensive art and design programs are accessible to students with financial need. Scroll through the list below to take a look at the top picks for digital media majors and what they have to offer.

Clarksville
Austin Peay State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Illustration, Visual Communications, Studio Arts with Concentration in Digital Media

Jackson
Union University - Degrees Offered: B. A., B. S. Digital Media Studies, B. A. Graphic Design

Johnson City
East Tennessee State University - Degrees Offered: B.S. Digital Media with Concentrations in Animation, Visualization, and Interaction & Game Design; M. S. Technology with Digital Media Concentration; B. F. A. Art with Specialization in Graphic Design; M. A. New Media Studio;
M. F. A. with Specialization in Graphic Design

Memphis
Memphis College of Art (MCA) – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Animation, Digital Cinema, Digital Media, Photography; B. F. A. in Fine Arts with concentrations in Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture; B. F. A. in Design Arts with concentrations in Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration, Sequential Narrative

Employment and Salary Trends for Tennessee Digital Media Artists

According to the most recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (March 27, 2012), the state of Tennessee is home to 25,390 artists and designers. Digital media artists are a part of this creative group. The population has increased since 2002, when the state was home to 24,870 artists and designers. The salary outlook looks even better. In 2002, the average salary for Tennessee artists and designers was $36,200. Today, the average salary is $45,380.
 
The industries with the highest employment levels for digital media artists include film and video; advertising, public relations and related services; colleges, universities, and professional schools; radio and television broadcasting, and local government. The top paying industries for digital media artists are independent artists ($82,870), aerospace ($67,830), film and video ($67,200), manufacturing ($62,760), and office and administrative services ($60,430) www.bls.gov.

Although employment and salary growth appear promising for artists and designers overall, it is important to keep in mind that individual salaries vary based on a variety of factors. Just a few things to consider include company (size, type, etc.), education and experience, geographic location, job title and industry/field. The information below will give you an idea of what to expect in several top fields for digital artists.

Graphic Design - Tennessee is home to 2,720 graphic designers. In 2002, the state was home to 2,430 graphic designers. Today, they average $40,230 up from $34,650 in 2002. Salaries are higher for independent designers and upper-level positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “senior designers, who may supervise junior staff or have some decision-making authority that reflects their knowledge of graphic design,” earned a median salary of $60,000.

“Solo designers who freelanced or worked under contract reported median earnings of $57,000. Design directors, the creative heads of design firms or in-house corporate design departments,” earn $95,000. “Graphic designers with ownership or partnership interests in a firm or who are principals of the firm in some other capacity” average $95,000 per year. Artists and designers can expect the same trend in the advertising and public relations field, multimedia, and many others.

The following information should give you an idea of potential earnings and employment growth for several popular careers for digital media artists.
Multimedia and Animation - Tennessee is home to 120 salaried multimedia artists & animators, down from 260 in 2002. Fortunately, salaries are up. In 2002, Tennessee-based multimedia artists and animators averaged $35,030. Today, they average $57,430.

Public Relations – Tennessee is home to a sizable number of public relations specialists. As of March 27, 2012, the state was home to 2,650 specialists, up from 2,020 in 2002. They average $47,510, up from $38,540 in 2002.

Art Directors: Tennessee is home to 280 art directors down from 370 in 2002. However, the decrease lost momentum between 2008 and today. The state reported a loss of only 20 salaried art directors between 2002 and the latest Bureau report. Fortunately, salaries have increased greatly since 2002, when the average was $45,030. Today, Tennessee-based art directors average $86,570.

If you’re interested in a position in the field and you plan to make Tennessee your permanent home, consider beginning your job search in Memphis—the state’s largest city. Next on the list is Nashville—the state’s second largest city, followed by Knoxville (third), Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Jackson, Johnson City, Franklin, or Bartlett. If you’re interested in a slower pace, but you still prefer a city feel, consi