Step 2After the first step which is to create a mind map of the theme, we are required to do an 800 words essay about our theme. We should have our design statement and then create the essay. Our design statement is "Creative Multimedia is expensive". And here is our essay.
800 words essay:
How did I derive creative multimedia to Expensive?
In this modern age and times, there is a lot of career path that one can choose to traverse through to make a living. Be it engineering, biology, management, law enforcement, multi-level marketing, all these professions require ample amount of sweat, blood, and tears in order to climb to the top of the ladder. Believe me when I say the cost of going down the Creative Multimedia path tops off the chart, although the benefits can surpass most of the other professions, more often not.
First off, to be a person working in the Creative Multimedia field, one must have good tools in order to compete with the others in the battlefield. The most important gadget one simply has to have is a good personal computer. A top specification computer goes a long way in making every work easier. From graphic designing, 3D modeling, flash scripting, animation rendering, information gathering, a fast computer makes all the difference. A very good computer costs an arm and a leg, and keeping it up-to-date with the latest hardware costs the other arm and leg. Not to mention the additional computer accessories, which include the tablet (or unnecessarily expensive PC tablet) for graphic designs, good speaker sets for sound designs, a good microphone for recording sounds, a high resolution monitor for increased workspace, good processor for faster processing, and even good mouse and keyboard for ease of use. And a good mouse pad for comfort. These may well cost over RM10,000, in a very rough calculation.
The software, on the other hand, costs another computer or two. The computer itself, with a good Operating System, adds up to the cost. The most basic editing software one should have on the computer is Adobe. As of this date (27th April 2010), the Adobe Master CS4 Collection costs RM9899 to purchase. Another essential tool for 3D modeling is the Autodesk 3D Studio Max, and the most recent one costs a hefty RM14,600. Add another Sony Vegas 8 for sound designing, and little software here and there to enhance everything, and Creative Multimedia professionals are well on their way to thinner wallets.
Even if you have all the latest hardware and software, in a few months time, new updates will come out with better features and better performance. After a year the hardware and software will become nearly obsolete compared to the newer versions. Obtaining the initial computer is expensive, but even maintaining the computer is expensive.
Basic needs out of the way, any person considering Creative Multimedia as a career need to calculate the costs of studying in a university to get a Bachelor Degree in the field they are interested in. These certificates do not come cheap. A good university may charge you well over RM20,000 for the piece of paper. Another university may charge you up to RM40,000. This is just the basic fees. Add in the costs of living in university areas, renting apartments, eating the food, buying groceries, and one will find out that these cost some pretty pennies.
Going specifically more into the education part, even the projects and assignments costs a lot. Comparing Creative Multimedia to Engineering, Management, and Information Technology, each and everything costs a lot more. For example, one does the project, prints the project on an A2 glossy paper, and then hands it in. If the work is rejected, another print would be in order. It may not seem as much, but the total adds up ridiculously, as getting the work rejected is commonplace among everyone. And the total number of subjects taken directly relates to the amount of money wasted on miscellaneous things.
Miscellaneous things such as the mounting boards, mounting spray, cutter, rendering markers, acrylic paints, printing costs; the costs of these things may be meager at first, but in truth, Creative Multimedia students have spent thousands on these.
Even if one managed to go through all the rigors and expenses of the student life, throughout their career, the same things will be repeating. The cost of everything goes up as the stakes get higher. Clients will be rejecting the proposal left and right, and Creative Multimedia workers are hard pressed to make sure their ideas get accepted and willing to spend the money to do so.
Creative Multimedia may be a new career choice for people nowadays, but it is quickly rising to be the top career. Thus, competition among those working in the field is rampant and hazardous. One has to keep updated with the latest technology and knowledge in order to even be inside the circle of Creative Multimedia. Without sufficient interest and effort in the Creative Multimedia pond, one may find themselves quickly drowning in the currents.
Expensive as all the expenses are, Creative Multimedia is not without its merits. If one is a hardworking person, never gives up, never afraid to try out new things and willing to learn, the person is already halfway towards a successful career. The hurdles of money may be great, but the rewards are even greater.
