Art and Design Careers

by Doug Wintemute

TheBestSchools.org

thebestschools.org is an advertisement-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does non influence our schoolhouse rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent data published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

Condign a Professional person in Art & Pattern

Artistic jobs exist beyond many unlike sectors, assuasive individuals to alloy their inventiveness with technical skills.

Design and art professionals work in nearly every manufacture, creating media and pattern products that appeal to consumers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a iv% refuse in art careers from 2019-2029, peculiarly in publishing and manufacturing, simply aspiring artists and designers with applicable skills and grooming still have plenty to look forrad to.

Despite the curtailing of traditional blueprint industries and a substantial loss of jobs resulting from COVID-nineteen, the job outlook appears stiff for artists, especially considering the high degree of telework compatibility and strong salaries available in the field.

This guide examines common artistic jobs and pathways, along with salaries and projected task growth data.

Featured Online Fine art Programs

Art and Design Careers

true Fine art Directors $97,270 -2%

Art directors manage design staff and oversee the creative strategy behind campaigns for organizations. They may discuss goals with clients, conceptualize aesthetics, and create projection budgets and schedules. These professionals can apply their skills to advertizement, public relations, motion pictures, and publishing.

Employers typically crave a bachelor'due south degree in a relevant field, such as graphic design or digital media. Aspiring directors tin can also pursue principal's degrees in art or fine arts. Before taking on a direction role, about professionals first work as artists, building leadership, communication, and time direction experience.

Source: BLS

truthful Multimedia Artists and Animators $77,700 4%

Multimedia artists and animators create images and artwork for media, including movies, television, and video games. They develop plans based on consumer and employer needs, create and edit animations using computer programs, and work with other artists and animators to create larger compilations and projects.

Aspiring animators usually need bachelor's degrees in art-related fields. Some employers may require candidates to accept specialized degrees in multimedia pattern or video game design. In addition to a potent portfolio, candidates demand creative, computer, and communication abilities.

Source: BLS

true Special Effects Artists and Animators $77,700 4%

Special effects artists and animators create moving images and effects for various media formats. They work in movies, television, and video games, creating calculator-generated images and visual effects. These professionals often piece of work with other animators and artists to ensure that aesthetics align with overall design plans.

To become a special furnishings artist, candidates typically demand a bachelor'due south caste in a blueprint-related field. A specialized caste, like graphic design or multimedia design, may give applicants a competitive advantage. In addition to a relevant degree, each candidate unremarkably needs a portfolio demonstrating their artistic abilities.

Source: BLS

Featured Online Blitheness Programs

true Style Designers $75,810 -4%

Fashion designers create clothing designs that appeal to retailers and consumers. They inquiry consumer interests and market trends, choose appropriate fabrics and themes, and test their ideas at fashion shows. They may work with specific types of wearable, like costumes, footwear, or accessories, and they can create their designs by paw or calculator.

Most fashion designers hold bachelor'due south degrees in manner-related fields. They may alsohave preparation in figurer design, and they need creative, communication, and decision-making skills. Fashion designers can proceeds experience through internships or by working as a designer's assistant.

Source: BLS

true Digital Designer $77,200 8%

Digital designers create the wait and layout of websites and interfaces. They frequently piece of work with spider web developers to ensure websites role and operate properly. Digital designers also work with clients to determine their needs, choose graphics and fonts that work, and ensure accessibility.

Most digital designers have available's degrees in computer blueprint disciplines, such as graphic pattern or web design. They usually need problem-solving, customer service, and advice skills. Some candidates also earn industry certifications, especially in niche subfields.

Source: BLS

Featured Online Web Blueprint Programs

true Postsecondary Teacher $80,790 6%

Postsecondary teachers educate students, behave academic research, and publish their work. Art and design teachers create college and university curricula, teach students how to use tools and techniques, and create lesson plans that foster growth and professional interest.

Postsecondary teachers typically need doctoral degrees for employment, though art teachers may qualify for some positions with a combination of experience and a graduate degree, such as a master of fine arts. Additionally, these professionals need critical thinking, communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Source: BLS

truthful Industrial Designers $71,640 -four%

Industrial designers create the expect and concept for commercial products. They inquiry consumer and organizational needs, consider functionality, design products, and ensure the final product design meets budget and condom requirements. These professionals utilize software to create their designs, and they must be familiar with materials and product processes to develop authentic models.

An industrial designer typically has a bachelor's caste, often in a design-related field, like a bachelor'southward in graphic design. They usually demand some preparation in computer-aided design programs, plus manufacturing knowledge. Useful skills in this field include problem-solving, mechanical, computer, and analytical abilities.

Source: BLS

true Interior Designers $57,060 -5%

Interior designers develop plans for using infinite in functional, cost-constructive, and aesthetically pleasing ways. They work with architects, engineers, and laborers to create designs while adhering to building codes and accessibility standards. These professionals may specialize in sustainable, residential, healthcare, or corporate interior designs.

Most interior designers hold available'due south degrees in interior blueprint or compages. Some states and employers require these professionals to earn certifications, such as those awarded past the Council for Interior Blueprint Qualification. Some interior designers may need figurer-aided design expertise, along with artistic, visualization, and creative abilities.

Source: BLS

truthful Museum Curators $52,140 xiii%

Museum curators oversee the acquisition, preservation, and presentation of museum artifacts and collections. They piece of work with collectors and other museums to gather new items, perform inquiry, develop themes for exhibits, and design programs and events. Curators may specialize in one or more than fields, such every bit fine art, mode, or design.

Curators typically hold master'southward degrees, such equally a master's in art or art history. Smaller museums and exhibits may rent candidates with bachelor'south degrees and some feel. Critical skills in this field include organizational, belittling, and client service skills.

Source: BLS

truthful Graphic Designers $53,380 -4%

Graphic designers use software to create images and concepts for their clients, who tin can be individuals or organizations. They design images and logos, often managing pattern strategies for unabridged campaigns. They work with websites, text layouts, advertisements, and packaging, collaborating with other professionals and artists to create cohesive designs.

Graphic designers typically need an art-related caste, preferably a available of graphic design, for employment. A main of graphic blueprint caste or meaning feel may help professionals pursue management positions or careers in large organizations. Graphic designers should as well possess computer, communication, and creative skills.

Source: BLS

Featured Online Graphic Blueprint Programs

true Arts and crafts and Fine Artists $49,120 0%

Arts and crafts and fine artists create, sell, and exhibit works of art. They tin can use many unlike techniques, materials, and approaches, always intriguing audiences and attracting consumers. These professionals typically specialize in a specific medium, like ceramics, painting, jewelry, or manus-fatigued creations.

While craft and fine artists exercise non require any formal education for employment, many practice have bachelor's degrees in art. Artists commonly need to build portfolios through exercise, professional person feel, or instruction, such as a chief of fine arts plan. The entrepreneurial side of this profession unremarkably requires interpersonal, client service, and business skills.

Source: BLS

true Art Conservator $52,140 12%

Art conservators manage the quality and intendance of historical artifacts. They conduct research in safe environments, using materials, techniques, and equipment that do not damage the items, then nowadays and publish their findings. They also help make clean and preserve artifacts.

An art conservator usually needs a chief's degree for employment, such as a master'southward in history. These professionals typically develop experience before gaining employment by completing internships, co-ops, and entry-level museum or archæology work. Conservators are detail-oriented professionals with expert belittling and organizational skills.

Source: BLS

true Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers $41,900 -10%

Jewelers and gem and metal workers blueprint and create jewelry for individuals and organizations. They may use traditional crafting methods, computer-aided design, or other mod technologies to create their art. They tin can specialize in metalsmithing, gemology, appraisals, and pattern.

Jewelers can enter the field with experience and petty formal education, though training programs in gemology and computer-aided pattern can help. A bachelor's caste in graphic pattern, for instance, may provide candidates with a competitive advantage. In addition to artistic abilities, jewelers and related professionals demand dexterity, visualization skills, and a strong sense of aesthetics.

Source: BLS

truthful Photographer $41,280 -4%

Photographers produce captivating images for individuals and organizations. They use framing techniques and equipment modifications to capture unique shots that appeal to consumers. They may specialize in specific events, industries, photo subjects, and photographic technologies, such as drones or microscopic cameras.

The photography field does not crave a formal instruction, but many professionals hold bachelor'southward degrees in fine art-related fields. In the United States, drone photographers must obtain certification through the Federal Aviation Administration. Since many photographers work every bit freelancers, they may need business organization, interpersonal, and customer service skills.

Source: BLS

Featured Online Photography Programs

true Floral Designers $29,140 -20%

Floral designers create decorative arrangements of flowers and plants for customers. They design blossom collections and arrangements based on consumer needs, seasons, events, and overall appearance. These professionals typically also know how to care for plants.

Floral designers practise not need college education training, though professionals may pursue blueprint-related degrees. They tin learn certification through the American Plant of Floral Designers for more formal recognition. In most cases, floral designers possess strong artistic abilities, inventiveness, and organizational skills.

Source: BLS

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Highest Paying Fine art Jobs?

The highest-paying artistic jobs are usually art managing director roles. According to BLS employment data, these professionals earned a median almanac bacon of $97,270 in 2020.

What Art Jobs Are in Demand?

Among all art careers, museum curators and art conservators enjoy the most professional need. BLS projection data indicates a 13% job growth charge per unit for curators and a 12% job growth rate for conservators from 2019-2029.

What Are Fun Artistic Jobs?

Artistic professionals tin can pursue fun jobs like graphic designer, interior designer, and multimedia designer, performing exciting 24-hour interval-to-day activities.

Doug Wintemute is a Toronto-based freelance writer with professional person writing interests in college learning and entertainment. He completed his BA and MA in English language at York University, graduating summa cum laude and earning academic merit, inquiry, and writing awards at both levels. Since 2014, he has contributed content and editorial work for laurels-winning digital trade publications, global SEO copywriting projects, and hugely popular online brands. He can be contacted through LinkedIn.

Header Image Credit: Phamai Techaphan, Yevgen Romanenko | Getty Images

Larn more, do more.

More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.

Popular with our students.

Highly informative resource to proceed your education journey on track.

Take the next step toward your futurity with online learning.

Discover schools with the programs and courses you're interested in, and start learning today.

woman in an office