INSTITUTIONS OFFERING CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT IS CREATIVE AND DIGITAL MEDIA AND WHO IS A CREATIVE AND DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST?
Creative and digital media is defined as artistic and cultural content that is created for digital platforms (e.g. on social media like Facebook and twitter) or distributed digitally to reach the public. In creative and digital media, you learn how to create and distribute content that will be watched or listened to by people using gadgets such phones, tablets and computers, or TV and radio. A creative and digital media specialist is a person who creates and distributes content using digital platforms. These are the personnel that create the adverts that we see or hear on TV, radio and social media. They also make the websites that we visit on a daily basis to look attractive and be user-friendly and edit photos and videos among other things.
WHERE DO CREATIVE AND DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALISTS WORK?
Creative and digital media specialists commonly work in the media, cultural and creative industries. If you do this programme you can work in media houses including the print media (newspapers and other publishing companies), television and radio stations. Examples of such work places in Zambia are ZNBC (radio and television), Prime TV, Diamond TV, Radio Phoenix, Zambia Daily Mail, The Mast Newspaper etc. You can also work for an advertising company or creative and digital advertising agencies that exist in the country.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
One of the tasks in the work of a creative and digital media specialist is graphics design. This is just combining words (text) and pictures in advertisements, magazines or books. They also do photography and videography but more especially the editing of photos and videos that have been taken by photographers and videographers. Creative and digital media personnel also carry out advertising and branding. They make adverts for newspapers, flyers, magazines, social media etc. Other media specialists work in website design and development. This mainly involves creating websites for various companies, businesses, learning institutions, banks etc.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A CREATIVE AND DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST?
Work is mostly from 08:00hrs – 17:00hrs on weekdays (Monday to Friday). Most media houses are open even on weekends and public holidays. As such, you may be required to report to work every day of the week, depending on where you work.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
The job market for the creative and digital media specialists can be described as fair. With the coming of digital migration, the number of media houses in the country is increasing which in turn increases the need for creative and digital media specialists. Even without getting into formal employment, someone can still work for themselves. They can open their own studios that specialise in areas such as video production and photography, creation of adverts, website development and many other creative works.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
For you to do the program you need to be first of all creative. This will allow allow you to create content that is catchy and appealing to the viewers or target audience. When you do an advert for a business, it needs to help the business grow and therefore you have to be good at catching the attention and curiosity of people. You also need to have an interest in working with computer software and technology in general.
INSTITUTIONS OFFERING CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
Some of the courses that you will have to learn when you decide to do creative and digital media include creative writing, magazine design, interaction design, moving image (films and videos), motion graphics, visual art and design, photography etc.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
The minimum entry requirements for this program are 5 O’ level credits or better inclusive of Mathematics and English.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A CREATIVE AND DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST?
As an alternative to creative and digital media, you can choose to study Media and Journalism, Animation and Multimedia, Graphics and Multimedia, Information Technology and other ICT related courses.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
You can upgrade to a degree in creative media or graphics and media. The reasons for upgrading is that it offers you a chance to work in different companies because you acquire extra skills. With a degree you can work as a public relations specialist, digital marketing specialist, media planner and web content manager for the websites of companies.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA
EVELYN HONE COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Media & Information Studies
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 225127 or +260 211 220971 or +260 964 032960
E-mail: info.ehc@evelynhone.edu.zm
Website: www.evelynhone.edu.zm/academic-fees/
ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF MASS COMMUNICATION
Programme duration: 2 years (certificate) and 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Intakes: January and September
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 251 811 or 0974342476 or 0954199493
E-mail: info@zamcom.ac.zm
Website: www.zamcom.co.zm
DMI – ST.EUGENE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma) / 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: Department of Science and Humanities
Intakes: January and July
Location: Chibombo
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 613644 or +260 976 216068 or +260 977 200088
E-mail: dmiseuzm@dmiseu.edu.zm
Website: www.dmiseu.edu.zm/academics-departments/school-of-it/
OAK UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (Degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 975 907678
E-mail: admissions@oakuniversity.co.zm
Website: oakuniversity.co.zm