Multimedia design has the potential to be recession-proof

It's no secret that the job market is in a less-than-ideal place - or that creative industries suffer when money is tight. Today more than ever, business owners need  to keep strict budgets for marketing and design in order to keep a brand afloat. However, when a product is preparing to launch, creatives are the most valuable employees to have on board, so it may be worth considering where they can stretch their dollar to hire the best candidates.

After all, an effective advertising campaign is what gives a product or service a personality that consumers can relate to. No business owner would argue that a product would succeed without design, marketing, website or personality, and individuals looking for work in the creative industry have more opportunities than most. Along with talent and an extensive portfolio, it is possible to find a job and succeed in fields such as multimedia design.

Few companies will launch a product without a multimedia component. A poor design would lose the business more money than it would take to hire a professional. As a multimedia artist, an individual could work in film, video game design, advertising, web development or animation. Clearly, the options are expansive.

Furthermore, multimedia jobs are expected to rise by 11,200, or more than 14 percent, between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In part, the growth can be credited to the internet and the need to further differentiate a business from the competition.

Multimedia jobs are fairly concentrated. While many companies utilize design in their marketing and advertising, very few areas in the country specialize in multimedia like San Francisco, New York City and Seattle. In fact, those cities are expected to see the largest growth in multimedia jobs, reports the BLS.

Individuals who want to begin a career in multimedia design do not necessarily have to move to one of these cities to make an impact in the field. Temporary work is a great way to build a portfolio and remain active in an industry. Furthermore, freelancers are able to charge more money per project as they become more versed in multimedia design. The top 10 percent of multimedia artists (whether full-time or freelance) make more than $99,000 annually, reports U.S. News. Creatives who want a job in an industry that encompasses many aspects of marketing, graphic design and development should look to multimedia as a way to begin a career in a fast-paced creative world.