Category: Elementary

Every day, people use objects made of materials like wood, metal, or plastic. If you ever wonder how these objects are made, you might want to consider becoming a computer numerical control (CNC) programmer. These people help other workers in the trades to produce the parts that they need to complete their tasks.

In the past, people made metal or wood pieces by hand, carving or filing them until they were the right size and shape for the purpose. However, that can take a very long time and become expensive. Machines now do a lot of the work, but they still need people to check the blueprints, make the calculations, and program the right instructions into the machines.

For example, suppose that you wanted to make a metal cabinet. If you did that by hand, you would need to measure each part and calculate how big it would need to be for the size of cabinet you wanted.  Then you would have to use saws and files to cut each piece to the right size and then to smooth the edges so that the customers who buy it would not injure themselves on it. That process might work with making one or two cabinets, but if you want to make many more than that, you would need someone to program a machine to make hundreds or thousands of the pieces. For that, you would need a computer numerical controller.

People in this field can sometimes find work with a high school diploma, but it is a good idea to get a degree, or at least a certificate or associate degree in engineering or a related field. The main requirements for the job are to be able to read blueprints and to interpret and translate them into computer coding. Many universities, career colleges, or trade schools might have courses that are useful for this career, and it is a good idea to ask various employers what they require before deciding on post-secondary education.

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programmers can do most of their calculations sitting at desks in their offices, but they normally also need to program the machines and to check to make sure that everything is right. If there are problems, the programmer needs to find the mistakes and correct them. Attention to detail is very important because even a small error can mean that two parts might not fit together. Sometimes, people in this job might need to lift heavy objects, and they should be able to stand for long periods of time.

Wages in this job begin at about $16.50 and can rise to $30 .65 per hour with experience. Computer Numerical Control Programmers can work in almost any city or town where machines or other metal parts are made. Some people might even find their training useful for working with special items like ornaments or even children’s toys. Although the work is not as physically demanding as many factory jobs, it can become difficult later in life, and some people might decide to move to something else after fifteen or twenty years.

The calculations that a computer numerical controller makes are very important. If you like numbers and computers, this might be the right job for you.

Bibliography:

Glassdoor. “Average Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Programmer Hourly Pay in Canada.” https://www.glassdoor.com/Job-Descriptions/CNC-Programmer.htm.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. “Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Certificate.” https://www.nait.ca/coned/cnc-certificate.

Owl Guru. “Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic.” https://www.owlguru.com/career/computer-numerically-controlled-machine-tool-programmers-metal-and-plastic/job-description/.

Payscale.com. “Computer Numerically Controlled Programmer (CNC) Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Computer_Numerically_Controlled_(CNC)_Programmer/Hourly_Rate.

Math is not everybody’s favourite subject. So if it’s like that for you, you are not alone. However, you may find yourself struggling with it, especially high school Math. There are still options to help improve math skills, especially since college, university and in the work field post graduation, math skills are still necessary and required. (It just depends on what level you may need for post graduate studies, and if you’re in a career that doesn’t require math, you don’t need to use it as often.)

Calculators, while helpful, don’t help you learn math skills as much, especially when it comes to word problems or the concept used to get to the answer you are looking for. Calculators, for example, work in a way that can be counterproductive to how math rules are supposed to work in the order you were taught by the teacher, which is called the order of operations. (This is why you can have two different answers to a math question, and one is “wrong” if you type in order of the question in your calculator instead of following the order of operations of the same question.)  So, the question is: how to sharpen your math skills while at school?

Tutors can certainly help gain more understanding of the math rules and the subject itself. If you choose to use this method, there are lots of options and types of tutoring available. With individual tutoring, you can request a tutor who has a strong knowledge of math and can help you understand it by explaining things in a different way, to help you understand it better. You can even ask a classmate of yours, who excels in math, to help you if you think this is the best way. Remember though: you’re not looking to hang out with your friend or classmate, you’re trying to get additional math help skills.

At my old high school, there was a session for those who had trouble in math to go to a “clinic” within the school every week, with a math teacher supervising and available if you needed assistance. It may not be the same math teacher who is teaching your class, and therefore a different explanation to get the answer may be helpful. Along this route, your own teacher may also be available for math assistance after class (or the school day) – it can’t hurt to ask if there are no clinics available, especially since there may be other students in the same situation as you, who need additional math assistance.

And if you do understand the material, but are struggling a little bit, get extra homework. Teachers assign the material from the textbook – but you could do more of the questions in the section they assign instead of only the questions they want you to do – so you can fully understand the material and be quicker (and confident) in your answer.

No one likes additional homework, but in this case, it can help your confidence when taking a math test or examination question for a better grade than you think you would have done before doing the additional help. And a better grade can help you get into the post-secondary school or career of your choice.

When someone says the words “leader” to you, you probably then think of someone like a president or head of state in a country, a CEO or manager at a large corporation, or a team captain of your favourite sports team. However, a leader doesn’t necessarily have to be in a position of power, hordes of followers or fans, or a large bank account.

A leader can be someone right in your midst, it can be your student body president or your principal, or even better, it can even be you!

Developing leadership skills can start at a young age. You don’t have to wait to be a company executive to enhance these abilities. You don’t have to put off applying these strengths and wait for a $1M project. You can be a leader right now– in your school projects, volunteer engagements, or study clubs. So do you have the potential to be a leader? Let’s find out below!

You can motivate your peers.

A good leader demonstrates the talents to motivate others to work towards common objectives without being bossy or overly authoritative. He or she knows that for one to earn respect, you first have to respect others. They have a way of inspiring people and making sure that everyone understands their roles to achieve targets and become the best versions of themselves.

You can stay positive.

Striving for excellence as a group isn’t easy, and of course, there are obstacles that get in the way. However, a good leader is the one who knows that one can always overcome these challenges and they aren’t permanent. Therefore, a good leader is the one who can always look at situations through rose-coloured glasses when everyone else can’t. He or she knows how to stay in good spirits even when the situation is looking dire.

You can identify strengths and weaknesses.

A good leader knows that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This means that to be a truly solid team, he or she needs to recognize each of his or her teammate’s weakest and strong points and ensure the team remains to be a cohesive force so they can reach their goals. This means knowing how to delegate tasks or duties to the appropriate team members. For instance, if you have a class presentation that requires statistical studies, the best person for the job is someone good with numbers—you don’t assign the job to someone with terrific writing skills.

You can provide feedback appropriately.

Being a leader doesn’t necessarily have to end when the end goal is achieved. You can continue to display leadership qualities by providing feedback on things that they did well and didn’t do well. Making this effort can help them in the future and they will likely thank you for it because they learned how to become better teammates.

You can accept your flaws.

Being a leader doesn’t mean you’re without flaws. Like your team members, you have to keep an open mind for your own learning experience and that you’ll likely encounter hurdles along the way. A good leader knows he or she isn’t perfect but he or she knows how to identify shortcomings and areas for improvements and ensures that these are resolved in the best way possible.

You know how to give compliments.

There’s nothing worse than being a part of a team that realized their goals and the leader acts like he or she did it alone. A good leader knows no man is an island and that collaboration and working in harmony are key to accomplish success. A good leader should give praise where praise is due and make sure to chime in that the team has done a great job.

SOURCES:

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-signs-you-are-leader-and-dont-even-know.html

https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/10-signs-youre-a-follower-instead-of-a-leader.html

By Erin Rebello

Whether it’s a grilled cheese sandwich, a zesty bowl of salad, or a plateful of spaghetti (with meatballs, of course), lunch is a crucial part of every day! Though breakfast usually receives the title of “most important meal of the day”, lunch acts as a sort of bridge throughout the day, replenishing burned calories and fueling the body up with energy until dinnertime. Unfortunately, since it happens during school hours, this meal is often forgotten or neglected, especially since students usually have to prepare and pack their own food. But what if I told you there was a way to cook up meals that are quick, delicious, and even nutritious? By following the tips below, you’ll be well on your way to packing lunches fit for a king!

Factors to Consider

The first and most basic consideration you should make when prepping your lunch is the nutritional value of your food. Though gummy worms and graham crackers may seem appealing at first, they’ll eventually rot your teeth and give you stomach aches if you eat too much of them. Candy and sugar may give you a temporary rush, but before long you’ll crash and feel even more energy-sapped then before. By choosing healthy foods, you’re keeping your body and brain in tip-top shape to work effectively during the school day. It’s also good to note that healthy doesn’t mean bad-tasting! In fact, if healthy food tastes bad, you’re probably doing it wrong. Be sure to experiment with various foods that meet your nutritional needs and find what works for your tastes to have the best experience in the kitchen! A good way to determine what foods work for you is by reviewing the Canada food guide. This helpful resource offers both food options and amounts, giving you an idea of what to eat and how much of it to eat.

Other than taste and nutrition, you’re probably also concerned about the simplicity of preparing a meal. This is something really important to consider- especially when you’re the one who has to plan and pack the meal! It’s easy to ask your mom or dad to make you a complicated dish for lunchtime, but it’s way harder to do it yourself. Keeping this in mind, you’ll want to consider foods that can be prepared quickly and easily, such as sandwiches for lunch or fruits for snacks. Leftovers from the night before are also a great option since they’re already cooked and only need to be reheated. The more often you prepare your lunch, the more you’ll improve your culinary skills and soon you’ll be experimenting with all sorts of fancy dishes!

Getting Inspired

Though it can be rewarding, everyone admits that packing lunches can get boring or difficult at times. After a while, things may seem to get repetitive and you might feel like you’ve run out of ideas for lunches. Fortunately, we live in the 21st century and there are thousands of free websites, apps, and books available at your fingertips. The social media website Pinterest allows users to swipe through food and lunch recipes and photos, which is a great way to draw inspiration from the creations of others. You can also save your favourite posts to come back to later. There are also plenty of online forums and websites where real people can share their cooking tips and tricks and post their recipes for others to use. If you’re more old-fashioned, you might like to sign out some cookbooks or food magazines from your local library and search for recipes that suit your needs. Looking at other recipes and dishes for inspiration keeps you interested in preparing lunches, while also making your lunches better!

Overall

Though preparing and packing lunches may seem daunting at first, once you get the hang of it, it’ll become second nature. Not only will your cooking skills improve, but also your confidence and independence. The helpful tips in this article should set you on the right path to packing delicious, nutritious, and simple lunches for school! Before you know it, your parents will be asking you to prepare their lunches!

By Erin Rebello

Whether it’s an announcement on the PA or a poster in the hallway, you’ve probably heard about your fair share of extracurricular activities offered at your school. Maybe it’s a softball team, or a robotics league, or a perhaps a math competition club. Extracurricular activities are a great way to get involved with your school and make new friends, and also look great on any resume! Chances are, you’ll find something that you’re interested in, and you’ll probably join one or more of these clubs throughout your time in school. Extracurricular activities can be a lot of fun, but before you write your name on that sign-up sheet, there are a few things you need to think about.

Where to Start

It can be a bit overwhelming to choose a club, especially when there are so many great options available. The first things you should probably consider are your passions and interests. The more interested you are in a particular field, the more fun you’ll have and the better you will do. By doing something that you love, you’ll be able to meet with people who share the same interests. Another thing to think about when searching for an extracurricular activity is your future goal in terms of a career. A lot of the time, schools offer clubs that connect to certain fields, giving students a head start in preparing for their future.

Keeping Up with Commitments

Just like everything else in life, taking part in extracurricular activities is commitment. It’s easy to sign up and say you’ll do it, but it’s far more difficult to keep your word. When you join a club or team, you’re essentially promising to give that club or team your time. Almost all extracurricular activities happen in your free time, whether it’s recess, lunch, or after school. If you know that you won’t be able to fulfil your duties as a member, it might just be a better idea to hold off on joining until next year.

Tying right in with this, it’s important to understand the requirements that the club expects of you. This includes attendance at meetings, participation in activities, training/practice, and any mandatory fees. Most clubs offer info sessions to tell students about the club, and this is a great time to ask teachers or club leaders any questions you may have.

Some great questions to ask are:

• When does the club meet? How long are the meetings?
• Are there any important trips or dates? When are they?
• What are my specific responsibilities as a club member?
• Are there any membership fees?

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of extracurriculars with all the trips, activities, and fundraisers, but it’s important to remember that all these activities are “extracurricular”, or in addition to school work. If you do poorly in school, you might even end up being kicked off the team by your school! It’s important to properly manage all your responsibilities and create a healthy balance between clubs and your academics.

What’s the Magic Number?

Though clubs are a lot of fun, it can be easy to fall into a frenzy where you join too many clubs to be able to keep up with them! A lot of kids think that joining more clubs will help them get into better programs in post-secondary or help them with getting a job when it’s simply not true. Though post-secondary institutions and hiring managers do care about your extracurriculars, they look into your contributions to your clubs rather than just the number of clubs you’ve joined. Quality is ALWAYS better than quantity, so that’s why it’s better to make a lasting impact on a few teams, rather than joining 7 teams that you can’t even keep up with!

Another good way to think about your extracurricular involvement is to use the rule of four. This rule states that you only really need to be a committed member of 4 clubs to have a well-rounded resume. The first club you join should be something you enjoy or are passionate about; this club gives you a break from a busy school life and helps you de-stress. The second club you should join is something related to the field you are interested in pursuing as a career. For example, someone interested in technology might join the robotics team. The third club you should be a part of is something that keeps you active. Proper physical activity is the key to a healthy balanced lifestyle, and a sports team is a great way to do just that! Your fourth and final club should be something philanthropic, meaning that it helps others. Volunteering is a great way to do this, and there are lots of volunteer options available for people of all ages! Keeping the rule of four in mind when joining clubs is a great way to make sure that you’re not overwhelming yourself.

Memory can be a strange, but natural ability. You might remember what you did five years ago but forget something that happened just a few minutes ago. Having a good memory is important. Developing your memory can help you to study and work more effectively and to succeed in whatever you do.

Everything you do involves some form of memory, when you turn the things you learn or experience into something that they can remember later.  People have different types of memory. Implicit memory is the kind that is so normal that it becomes automatic. For example, people normally remember how to walk no matter how long it is since they learned how, except in the case of certain brain injuries.

Sometimes musicians develop a type of implicit memory called procedural memory. They can remember where the notes are on a piano or clarinet without thinking about it and learn complicated new pieces almost automatically. Athletes also have a kind of procedural memory for their sport. Recalling this kind of memory takes very little effort since it becomes an instinct.

Explicit or declarative memories are a bit more difficult for people to remember. This type includes facts that people have to think about, such as family birthdays or when an assignment is due. Semantic memories are more about general knowledge, such as the colours of the rainbow or certain events in history. Episodic memory is about events in a person’s own life, like the first day of school or the names of childhood friends.

All of the different kinds of memory are important. Being able to recall details of an agreement, for example, can be important for business owners who might not always have the information with them. A good episodic memory can also help people remember meetings or other important details about their work.

Some people have naturally good memories, but others have to work harder. Practicing an instrument or sport can help improve people’s procedural memories. Choosing to memorize a set of facts about something interesting or important can help explicit memory. Short-term memories might last a day or a week, but long-term memories can last a lifetime.

When you learn something new in school, normally your teacher gets you to practice it over and over.  For example, you might do many multiplication questions until you know the answers without thinking. That way, you can try more complicated calculations without having to try to remember what six times seven or five times twelve is. People still sometimes forget these basics if they rarely use the information, but the memory is there.

People’s ability to remember information changes as they get older. Often, they find it easier to remember things that happened when they were children than things that happened just days earlier. While you are still young, you can help improve your memory by making rhymes or songs of facts to remember.

A good memory is an amazing ability that helps people in school, at work, and everywhere else in life. Working to develop your memory is a good idea, whatever you end up doing.

Bibliography:

Harvard Health Publishing. “How Memory and Thinking Ability Change with Age.” https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/how-memory-and-thinking-ability-change-with-age.

The Human Memory. “What is Memory?” https://human-memory.net/what-is-memory/.

Taibbi, Christopher. “How to Improve Your Memory, Instantly.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/gifted-ed-guru/201402/how-improve-your-memory-instantly.

Zimmerman, Kim Anne. “Memory Definition and Types of Memory.” https://www.livescience.com/43713-memory.html.

We all know that reading is an essential part of our lives. Reading is an effective way to educate yourself about things that are unfamiliar to you. It is a helpful activity to enrich our lives. Even renowned American children’s book author and illustrator Dr. Seuss said, “The more that you read, the more things that you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” In addition, there are studies that show reading habits can lead to good mental health.

However, there are times when you probably find yourself at a loss at what exactly you’re reading about, whether it’s a chapter on your textbook, a passage on an eBook, or a story in the newspaper. As a result, reading becomes challenging and you approach it like it’s a chore. Don’t fret because this situation is perfectly normal, and there are ways around it. Like most everything else, to develop better reading skills, it takes practice, so below are tips on how to get you on the right track to feel more at home with page-turners.

Read aloud.

It may be intimidating at first, especially if you’re not used to it, but reading aloud can definitely help you improve your reading abilities. Take it step by step. Maybe one paragraph today, two paragraphs tomorrow, and so on. The more you do this, the more you’ll feel comfortable and you’ll have better comprehension of the subject. If you want to make it more fun, pair up with a classmate or a friend to be your reading buddy and make reading both of your after-school activity. Take turns in reading a textbook or a fiction or non-fiction book you’re both interested in. Encourage each other to share their thoughts and opinions of what they’ve just read and get a discussion going about the subject.

List down words or phrases that you don’t know.

No one is born knowing every word that exists in the dictionary. We’ve all had our fair share of reading something and coming across a word we haven’t encountered before. If this happens to you, an effective trick is to list them down and look up their meanings. This way, you get a better understanding of the context of what you’re reading, and what’s more, you expand your vocabulary. Of course, lugging a thick dictionary on a daily basis can be a hassle, so the best solution is to have a dictionary app on your smart phones. Both Oxford and Merriam-Webster have free apps available for download which makes looking up a word much more convenient and quicker.

List down questions you have about something you’ve read.

This is somehow related to the previous one, but more for understanding the overall theme or message of what you’ve read. There are texts we come across that we grapple the point of, and it’s a typical scenario. Seek clarification from your teacher or instructor about these questions, but if they’re not available, ask your peers or someone on a higher level. Gathering information from someone else’s perspective will truly help you grasp the ideas that the author wanted to convey. If possible, you can even start a group study platform to further discuss the text.

Pick up something you like to read.

It is admirable if you make an effort to improve your reading skills by turning to the usual suspects—your textbooks! Doing so can propel your success in your academic subjects. But remember, reading doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Give yourself a break once in a while, and pick up a book that you’re genuinely curious about, whether it’s an adventure, romance, mystery, thriller, or non-fiction. Don’t confine your entire reading time to just textbooks, so you can truly discover the pleasure of reading.

SOURCES:

https://www.oxfordlearning.com/how-to-improve-reading-comprehension/

https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-improve-reading-comprehension

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-about-men/201905/can-reading-books-improve-your-mental-health

Imagine going to a museum where the exhibits were lying on the ground or seeing a play in a plain room with no background. It might not look very good. People who work in set and exhibit design help to create interesting sights for people to see.

A few years ago, an exhibit on the sinking of the Titanic went around different cities in Canada. In each place, people had to decide where to put each object, such as dishes that passengers ate from or belongings they had with them on the trip. When the exhibit moved from one place to another, designers had to decide how to display the various pieces in whatever space is available.

Museums are common places for exhibit designers, but they can also work in art galleries, trade shows, and other locations. Flexibility and creativity help people in this job to find ways to draw attention to the important part of each display. Having a good sense of history and art can help people work well in this job. Consulting the museum curators and others involved with the project will help designers understand what they want people to see and understand about the display.

A related place to find work is in set design in theatres. When people put on plays, they often want the stage to have realistic look of a house, school, or other place. Set designers find ways to make the stage look right. They need to talk with the directors of the play to see what they want and how to build it.

Set and exhibit designers can learn their work on the job, but getting official training also helps. Many employers want designers to have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the job. A set designer, for example, might want to get an education in theatre. Someone wanting to work in a museum might get a degree in archaeology or history. Designers often also need to supervise other employees or volunteers, and courses in management can help.

Being able to imagine what a set or exhibit will look like is a very useful talent for people in this field. If you can draw, you can also help other people see what you want and possibly make suggestions. Often, flexibility is important in this job when plans go wrong or when something unexpected comes up. Keeping good records is also important, since no one wants to lose a museum piece or to forget something important on a theatre set.

Most large cities have at least one or two museums and a few theatres where people in this field can find work. Even smaller villages and towns might have possibilities. In general, however, job possibilities tend to be limited. Learning another skill is a good idea, just in case fulltime work is hard to find.

Salaries for people working in set and exhibit design start at about $30,000 per year and can rise to $74,000 with experience. The work can be busy but interesting, and this career might be right for you.

Bibliography:

My Plan.com. “Set and Exhibit Designers.” https://www.myplan.com/careers/set-and-exhibit-designers/description-27-1027.00.html.

National Theatre School of Canada. “Set and Costume Design.” https://ent-nts.ca/en/set-costume-design.

Payscale.com. “Average Mid-Career Exhibit Designer Salary in Canada.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Exhibit_Designer/Salary/04bac19b/Mid-Career.

Study.com. “Exhibit Designer: Career Info & Requirements.” https://study.com/articles/Exhibit_Designer_Career_Info_and_Requirements_for_Becoming_an_Exhibit_Designer.html.

Article by Maryam Sheikh

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an interest in science and technology. While these interests stemmed from all the science classes I took throughout elementary and middle school, a lot of my STEM learning came from external sources. There have been many experiences and organizations that have promoted my involvement in STEM, two of which I’ve highlighted below.

Let’s Talk Science

Some of my fondest memories of middle school include the Let’s Talk Science Challenge that took place annually for Grade 6-8. Each year, my school would recruit a group of students who would study topics ranging from earth sciences to space sciences in preparation to compete against other schools in the GTA. This team based challenge event was enriching and informative, all while fostering a safe and welcoming learning environment. Not only was I able to learn high school level science during middle school, but I was also put into a setting where I developed my collaboration and teamwork skills. On the day of the competition, I was able to make friends with students from other schools and gain a glimpse of a typical university campus, as the competition took place at the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus. Being able to participate in such a unique program really did prepare me for high school and quickly became a highlight of my middle school experience.

LEAP Academy

Last summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Learning Enrichment Advancement Program at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. LEAP was established in 2005 and has since attracted many students interested in the various fields of science, technology and engineering. Run by the faculty of Engineering, the summer program has various streams that appeal to a wide range of students. From Science 101 to Computer Science & Software Engineering, there is bound to be a stream that will interest incoming participants.

For students curious about campus life, there is an option to live on residence for the duration of the program. Also, the program encourages female participation by offering full scholarships which can be applied for through their website.

During my time at McMaster, I participated in the Science 101 stream. Each day, I was able to learn about biology, chemistry, and physics through a variety of ways. I had the chance to participate in workshops led by professors, go tours at the campus greenhouse, and perform experiments in the laboratories. Additionally, I was mentored by current McMaster students and was able to gain insight on university life.

Overall, the program furthered my interest and love for science- it was a beneficial 2 weeks and I walked away with a deeper desire to learn more about the world around me.

I would highly recommend this program to any high school student looking for a fun and educational summer experience!

I can safely say that my experiences with Let’s Talk Science and LEAP were both key learning opportunities that motivated me to take senior level math and science courses in high school and have also contributed to me heavily considering a future career in science. It’s integral for young students to be exposed to STEM fields early on in their lives so that they get opportunities to explore all that is included in these vast and fascinating fields. These are just two organizations that make STEM learning accessible within the GTHA; there is an infinite amount of knowledge out there and there are numerous ways to get involved in different communities.

When someone says the word “artist” to you, the image that may come into your mind is someone with a palette, easel, and a whole bunch of watercolours. Even when you go to an art gallery or a museum, the works of art showcased are most likely to be paintings or murals. It may not enter your mind that art can be created in other ways too—not just the standards palette, easel, and colours.

These artists may not use traditional tools that we are familiar with but they are equally creative and talented. These professionals are known as multimedia artists, and though you may not be as be familiar with their job title, you are likely to be familiar with their work especially if you watch a lot of TV or film. And like the great artists that we all admire, their work can also create a lasting impact on those who witness it.

If you’ve always been inclined to aesthetics and are passionate about digital technology, a multimedia artist can lead to a truly rewarding career. Let’s get to know more about this below.

Multimedia Artists – What You Need to Know

A multimedia artist utilize technology to create art specifically graphics, animation, special effects, and other visual images that are meant for not just film or TV, but the internet, video games, and other forms of media as well. The amount of work they have to do usually depends on the industry they are in. For instance, an animated TV commercial may not require a lot of work compared to a full-length animated feature film.

Nevertheless, any type of work as a multimedia artist entails 100% focus and commitment, as any slight misstep can be a costly one as they will be asked to do a do-over of the work they have done.

Multimedia artists can work for a wide variety of industries, including advertising agencies or TV or film production companies. They can work under the supervision of an art director or individually and collaborate with other artists and animators.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, multimedia artists can earn C$33,000 – C$77,000a year with additional potential earnings for bonus and profit sharing.

Skills

As multimedia artists are essentially artists too, they are expected to have a good sense of art and design aesthetics. In addition, they have expert knowledge in how to make visual images capture light, texture, shadow, and colour appropriately for the target medium and audience. Lastly and most importantly, a multimedia artist should have expert-level competence of graphics-based computer programs, including ones centred on three-dimensional design. As computer software is an ever-evolving industry, it pays to have the strong capacity to learn new software and technology quickly as well as they will need to continuously know how to improve their skills and expand their techniques.

Apart from technical proficiency, succeeding as a multimedia artist requires an arsenal of strengths. Communication skills and time management abilities are also important since they are asked to present their vision or concept for their work and therefore must know how to explain it clearly. In addition, they work under strict timelines whether they are a part of a commercial, film, or TV program, or any other project.

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, or Animation is a good way to kick off a career as a multimedia artist. Some of the most popular educational institutions to earn these degrees are the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, BC, the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) in Toronto, ON, and Sheridan College in Oakville, ON. The latter, in fact, is the alma mater of Domee Shi, whose film “Bao” won Best Animated Short Film at this year’s Oscars.

Pros and Cons

Like with any job, a career as a multimedia artist comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. One common downside is the long hours that are associated with the job, where some may be required to work evenings and weekends, depending on deadlines provided. Some feel that the ever-changing technology can be a bane too as it can be a challenge to constantly keep up with the trends where the graphics software or applications can easily become obscure just in a few years’ time.

A pro of working as a multimedia artist though is the opportunity to meet a variety of people, and encountering a wide variation of projects that appeal to the mainstream audience such as animated short films that are lead-ins in high-profile and much-awaited movies such as “The Incredibles 2.” Some are also grateful for the travel opportunities that come with the job.

SOURCES:

https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Multi-Media_Artist_or_Animator/Salary

https://www.yourfreecareertest.com/multimedia-artist/

http://www.universities-colleges-schools.com/article/top-10-animation-gaming-and-art-and-design-schools-in-canada