Digital Technology and Culture Schools in Washington

Digital Technology and Culture (DTC) is a unique degree program that combines technology, art, social sciences, and humanities “in a critical and creative framework designed to meet individual student interests as well as the needs of contemporary audiences and employers” (wsu.edu). Because this program combines multiple disciplines and subjects, graduates will be prepared to work in a wide variety of creative and technology-centered careers. A DTC degree can prepare you for a career as a art director, game designer, or a graphic artist, as well as multimedia development, entertainment media, print production, web development, technical writing, and content development. Because the degree focuses on art, culture, and technology, graduates may also find work in public affairs, information technology, information management, educational media, and even teaching.

Digital Technology and Culture degree programs are available at a number of schools across the U.S., but titles vary. “Digital Culture and Technology,” “Science, Technology and Culture,” “Digital Culture and Society,” and “Digital Cultures,” are just a few. In the State of Washington, the Washington State University system offers several top-tier Digital Technology and Culture programs. Formerly titled “Electronic Media and Culture option within General Studies,” the DTC program has been a part of the Washington State University system since 2003. According to the Washington State University website, the DTC degree program is one of the fastest growing majors in the Tri-Cities area.

Washington Digital Technology and Culture Schools

According to the most recent report by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Washington is home to 85 Title IV colleges and universities. Just a few of the best include the University of Washington, Cornish College of Art, and Washington State University. Continue reading to find out more about Washington State University and what it has to offer.

Pullman
Washington State University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Digital Technology and Culture with Multimedia Authoring, Culture & Technology, E-Commerce, or Electronic Art concentration; B. A., B. F. A. Fine Arts with Concentration in Digital Media

Richland
Washington State University Tri Cities - Degrees Offered: B. A. Digital Technology and Culture with Multimedia Authoring, Culture & Technology, E-Commerce, or Electronic Art concentration.

Vancouver
Washington State University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Digital Technology and Culture with Multimedia Authoring, Culture & Technology, E-Commerce, or Electronic Art concentration.

Employment and Salary Trends for Washington State Digital Technology and Culture Careers

The State of Washington is artsy, high-tech, visually stunning, and progressive. It is home to major art museums such as Seattle Art Museum and Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, and major technology companies such as Microsoft. The state is also home to Boeing’s final assembly plant, Starbucks, and Amazon.com. These companies, and hundreds of others, employ thousands of talented workers, from artists to IT guys. Digital Technology and Culture graduates have the skills needed to succeed in just about any capacity. As stated, they work in art and design, information technology, public affairs, education, and more.

Because DTC professionals work in so many different fields, employment and salary trends vary. For example, DTC graduates working as art directors average $85,100 per year, while DTC graduates in the graphic design field average $51,940. DTC professionals in the technology sector average $86,580 per year. The following information details employment and salary trends for the art and design and technology industries as a whole, as well as several popular careers for Digital Technology and Culture graduates.

Washington was home to 36,100 salaried artists and designers in 2002. They averaged $46,040 per year. Today, the state is home to 41,400 salaried artists and designers earning an average salary of $52,550 per year. Individual salaries vary greatly by location, company, industry, job title, and more. For example, advertising art directors earn one of the highest salaries in the industry, while entry-level graphic designers earn one of the lowest salaries in the industry.

The State of Washington was home to nearly 83,000 professionals in the computer technology industry in 2002. They averaged $66,370 that year. Today, the state is home to more than 116,000 professionals in this field, averaging $86,580 per year.

Art Direction: Washington had a population of 570 art directors in 2002. Today, the state is home to 650. Salaries have increased as well. In 2002, Washington art directors averaged $85,100. Today they average $92,360.
 
Graphic Design: Washington had a population of 3,330 graphic designers in 2002. Today, the state is home to 4,200. Salaries increased significantly as well from $44,890 in 2002, to $51,940 today.

Multimedia Art & Animation: Washington had a population of 1,420 multimedia artists & animators in 2002. Today, the state is home to 2,340. Salaries have increased as well. In 2002, Washington-based multimedia artists & animators averaged $54,740. Today, they average $67,140.