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A link to my Pinterest page ...Pinterest is an amazing place to collect ideas and inspiration for both Design and Expressive

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jo philip (jokphilip) - Profile | Pinterest

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Why choose Art and Design?

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What is art and design?

Covering a vast range of skills and talents, art and design is a diverse subject that will help you turn your creative passion into a money-making career. Whether you want to be the next Damien Hirst or Tracey Emin, or you want to play a role in what the next Ferrari looks like, this subject will help you improve your talents and pursue your dream.

Art and design students are highly entrepreneurial and self-motivated, both qualities that you learn on your journey to becoming an artist. A qualification in art and design isn't just about pencils and pictures, you'll also learn all about the business and management side of the industry, which is vital to succeeding in a very competitive job market.

Whether you want to study art and design at university, or venture into an apprenticeship, here are a few facts and figures to help you decide.

Featured courses

Start exploring courses in art and design.

Art and design course entry requirements

As it's such a broad subject, you have a lot of options when it comes to applying for an art and design degree. Obviously the most useful subjects to have studied would be art, design, or design and technology. But you can also show your creativity with other subjects like photography, fine art, and product design. Portfolios are also very important for art and design applicants.

If you're considering taking a foundation level course first, there are many colleges and universities who offer different opportunities. Make sure you research the modules that best suit you before you go on to take a full undergraduate degree.

Remember, you don't have to take your undergraduate degree at the same university or college that you took your foundation at - you can choose different providers for each if you decide to do so.

Good art and design students are inquisitive, creative, driven and open-minded - be sure to evidence these qualities in your personal statement and give examples of how they influence your work. Depending on your specialism, you may want to highlight specific skills for your chosen branch of art and design. For example, if you're leaning more towards the design route, you will want to show your talent with computer-aided design, technology and physical materials.

Can I study art and design if I'm not good at drawing?

Yes, absolutely. Drawing is only a very small part of art and design, and for many specialisations it's not involved at all. You should be able to sketch and express your ideas, but talent with a pencil or paintbrush is far from necessary.

Why study art and design at university?

Art and design is a very passionate subject, so you should have an instinct as to whether you want to spend three years studying it.

Some branches of the subject will give you good employment opportunities, but compared to many degrees it doesn't have the best job prospects. However, it will give you the skills, talents and abilities to turn your hobby and passion into a career that will make you money.

An art and design degree will teach you to think outside the box, which will help you in your assignments and portfolio, but also your job search. Creatives can find themselves working in the most amazing places - ranging from festivals, exhibitions and events, to celebrity functions, and royal parades.

Carving out a place for your individual talents is important in this industry, and you will soon become in-demand if you focus on what makes you special. An art and design degree will help you do this, as you find yourself under the tutelage of experienced artists and surrounded by like-minded peers.

You will also develop a network in the art and design industry, an important advantage in such a fast-moving environment. Whether it's with classmates, teachers, alumni, or business during your placements, connections are extremely important, and there's no better place to make them than at university.

Some modules you may study are:

History of art

Reflection and analysis

Art, technology, and the internet

Art and business

Studio practice

Typographical skills

Professional skills in art and design

Objects and experiences

Is it hard to find a job in art and design?

There's no denying that the art and design industry is competitive, but the UK's creative sector is internationally famous and there are lots of opportunities to prove your worth.

Many art and design graduates also make their living on a freelance or self-employed basis, giving you the freedom to choose your hours and projects.

What jobs are available in the art and design sector?

Whether you have a specific art and design-related discipline, or have chosen to work in the sector because of a creative interest, there is a vast array of opportunities, the most common being:

And many more options:

Don't forget the generic all-round jobs which are important to the sector too, such as:

What's it like to study art and design?

There aren't many courses as varied as art and design. The objective is to give you all the creative, technical and management skills needed to be successful in the creative industry, so as you can imagine this means a lot of variety.

Studying art and design will take you from the studio to the darkroom, from the computer lab to the performance hall, and back to the lecture theatre and exam rooms. You'll learn the basics of many different types of art and design, before choosing to specialise in the later years of your course.

In your first year, you might be working with students whose dreams range from car design, to sculpture, fashion, or architecture. You'll develop a rounded view of the creative industry and learn as much from your friends as you will from your tutors, so be prepared to keep your mind open and look for opportunities where you can.

You'll improve your natural curiosity and creativity, turning them into money-making talents for when you graduate. You'll also develop your confidence and criticism, along with your teamwork abilities, patience, analysis, and research. Most art and design subjects last three years and result in a BA degree, but many offer a year in industry which will extend the time it takes to complete your degree, but give you a much needed edge in the job market.

When you graduate, you'll be in one of the most competitive job markets out there. Only nursing graduates are greater in number than art and design, so be prepared to carve your own path, follow your dreams, and fight for your career. It'll be worth it.

Art and design undergraduates can expect the following tasks during their studies:

writing reports and essays

practical and creative projects

attending lectures and seminars

hearing from industry speakers

placements and industry experience

project and teamwork

Are you considering an accelerated degree? Click here to read more about the possibility of completing your undergraduate course in two years rather than three.

Listen to our brand new podcast all about degree apprenticeships in creative and design. Find out about funding, what day-to-day life is like, making friends, and more from our expert panel.

Apprenticeships

If you want to combine work and study while earning a salary, you could consider an apprenticeship. Which apprenticeships are available, and how you apply, depends on where you live.

Find out more about apprenticeships across the UK.

There are over 25 apprenticeships in the creative sector available in England, with more in development.

Each apprenticeship sets out occupational standards for specific job roles, designed by employers. The standards outline the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to demonstrate that an apprentice is fully competent in the job role.

Higher apprenticeships (Level 4)

​Degree apprenticeships (Levels 5 - 7)

Discover more about apprenticeships in art and design

Our guide has all the info you need to know about doing an apprenticeship in this industry. Find out what it's really like from current apprentices and decide if it's the right route for you.
Art, performance and design industry guide

Find out more about the art and design sector

Start your search now

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Thinking about studying art or design? Find out why you should study it, entry requirements, and what jobs you can do with a art or design degree.

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Link to Art and Design Subject page

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Creativity is the focus of the course. Learners develop knowledge of art and design practices by studying artists and designers and their work. They also develop an understanding of expressive and design processes.

The following presentations were delivered at CPD events for National 3, National 4, National 5 and Higher Art and Design Courses. They can be used by Nominees to help pass on information to colleagues in their school, college or local authority. Equally, anyone delivering the new National Courses may find the contents helpful in understanding the required standards.

See also:

National Qualifications

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Creativity is the focus of the course. Learners develop knowledge of art and design practices by studying artists and designers and their work. They also develop an understanding of expressive and design processes. The following presentations were delivered at CPD events for National 3, National 4, National 5 and Higher Art and Design Courses.

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A few examples of National portfolios for you to look at, ask your Art and Design Teacher about the courses..........

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National 4 and 5 Expressive Portfolio Requirements

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National 4 and 5 Design Portfolio Requirenments

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There might be something on this list that you never thought about!

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Looking at Jobs in the Arts -Printable Resources - The Kitchen Table Classroom

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Venues

Inverness New Campus

Content

A National Certificate award that will prepare you for progression to HE level study or entry into art and design based employment. It's a robust award of practical and related theoretical content that will help you build a portfolio, and ensure the development of practical and theoretical skills in addition to transferable generic employability and essential skills.

You will also have the option to gain Higher Photography.

Entry Requirements

4 subjects at National 5 including English and Art and Design. Interview and portfolio.

Progression Routes

HND Contemporary Art Practice, HND Visual Communication, degree level study

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Venues Inverness New Campus Content A National Certificate award that will prepare you for progression to HE level study or entry into art and design based employment. It's a robust award of practical and related theoretical content that will help you build a portfolio, and ensure the development of practical and theoretical skills in addition to transferable generic employability and essential skills.

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Do you have creative flair and like to use your imagination? Maybe you enjoy designing or making things using different materials? If you have good practical ability or always have some sort of creative idea going through your head, then art and design is a great career area for you to think about.

Artists and designers are involved in designing and creating almost everything we buy, from book covers to high fashion and furniture - and create works of art in many different forms, from paintings and textiles to sculptures and photographs.

What areas can I work in?

According to the Student Art Guide, there are over 150 careers to choose from in art and design!

You can work in areas such as furniture design, book illustration, animation, or household appliance design to fashion design and special effects for films and TV.

Art and design roles fall in the following areas: 3 dimensional design, fashion or textile design, fine art or graphic design, interior design or display and photography.

To see the routes to getting into each of these sectors, take a look at our Career Pathway.

What kind of companies can I work for?

Possible employers include:

museums, art galleries and cultural heritage organisations

advertising, publishing and marketing agencies

architectural, interior and graphic design agencies

textile and knitwear manufacturers

theatres, broadcasting and film media companies

digital design and media companies

teaching and educational institutions.

What's the job market like?

There is a huge amount of competition for full time work in the art and design world, with many people working on a self-employed or part time basis.

Art and Design graduates often find it takes time, and relevant work experience, to build up a portfolio and develop the contacts for freelance or commissioned work. So, it's not always easy to make a living, and many artists take on other jobs with a steady income so they can survive when freelance work is in short supply.

The Creative Industries UK states that the UK has the largest design sector in Europe and the second largest design sector in the world.

Facts and figures

In 2019 there were 335 photography based enterprises in Scotland.

In 2018, there were 26,740 people employed in the visual arts sector in Scotland.

In the 2016/17 academic year 36.4% of fine art graduates in the UK found full time employment within 6 months of graduating, with 29.9% working as art, design and media professionals.

Design graduates still have the highest rate of full time employment in this career area, at 56.8%. Of those, 46.6% found work as arts, design and media professionals. Graphic designer is still the most common job.

21.4% of UK fine arts graduates were either self-employed or freelance, compared to 13.8% of design graduates. By comparison all other graduates working either freelance or were self-employed was at 4.9%.

More females than males graduate from this area of study, but in terms of jobs the creative sector is more male dominated, with 63% of roles filled by men.

Want to find out more?

Why not take a look at the Discover Creative Careers website for information on getting into the arts? You will find information specifically about visual arts and crafts careers. You can also find detailed information about entry into the animation careers by visiting the ScreenSkills website.

Sources

What do graduates do? Prospects in association with HECSU and AGCAS (2018/19) (Latest data available)

The Creative Industries website (June 2019)

Growth Sector Statistics Database: Table 2.5 - Employment, Scotland 2009-2018, Scottish Government (October 2019)

Culture Counts - Craft Scotland Annual Tracking Study (2019)

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Do you have creative flair and like to use your imagination? Maybe you enjoy designing or making things using different materials? If you have good practical ability or always have some sort of creative idea going through your head, then art and design is a great career area for you to think about.

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42 job profiles for you to explore!

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Browse Creative arts and design careers with expert advice on qualifications, salary, progression and more.

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This article highlights a selection of these – including digital and graphic design jobs – and illustrates the range of exciting art-related careers that are possible. It contains a list of over 150+ awesome careers, with 25 examples showcased in detail.

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Last Updated on April 2, 2023

Where can studying Art or Design take you? What kinds of careers exist for those who study creative subjects at high school? While you might have heard that becoming an architect, fine artist, sculptor or gallery assistant is an option for those who study Art or Design, there are many other careers available for those who are able to envision, design and create beautiful things. This article highlights a selection of these - including digital and graphic design jobs - and illustrates the range of exciting art-related careers that are possible. It contains a list of over 150+ awesome careers, with 25 examples showcased in detail.

A growing list of art careers

Whether you love photography, graphic design, painting or any other art-related speciality, career options are limited only by your imagination. Art education propels people towards creative and unexpected destinations - many of which have not even been discovered yet. As noted in Need a Job? Invent It, in the New York Times:

...knowledge is available on every Internet-connected device, what you know matters far less than what you can do with what you know. The capacity to innovate - the ability to solve problems creatively or bring new possibilities to life - and skills like critical thinking, communication and collaboration are far more important than academic knowledge.

It is hoped that the 25 hand-picked, creative, inspirational people below will awaken your imagination and remind you that the world needs (and appreciates) those with artistic skill.

Movie Set / Costume / Special Effects Designer - Sir Richard Taylor

Sir Richard Taylor is the co-founder of the Weta Workshop, a New Zealand company that provides digital and physical special effects for film and television, producing costumes, props, make-up effects, prosthetics, models, miniatures, vehicles, armour and weaponry. Weta Workshop has won five Oscars, four BAFTAs and many other awards for their work on a range of well known film and television projects, including Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings. Sir Richard Taylor studied at the Wellington School of Design and attended the Dick Smith makeup training programme. Some of the work completed by Weta Workshop can be seen in the video below.

Upcycled Jewellery Designer - Cat Ivins

Cat Ivins found a collection of blackened auto plugs in her husband's truck repair shop and began designing jewellery using these and other recycled materials. After 10 years of working in a bank, she had no prior experience and attended a welding class so that she was able to create the jewellery she desired. She began selling these through Etsy, an online marketplace for creative people.

She describes her experience in the Etsy Quit Your Day Job series:

I started a business selling from mall carts during the holidays - I also sold things I made at craft shows during the year. After a while, I thought it was time to go back to school, when my niece showed me Etsy and I just fell in love with it. People making things with their own hands and making a living by sharing those makings with other people - it was exactly the way the world was evolving and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

Web Based Curator - Christopher Jobson

Christopher Jobson finds, discovers and shares artwork via his website Colossal. Colossal has more than 350,000 Facebook followers, 76,000 Twitter followers and 33,000 Pinterest followers and has almost 5,000,000 monthly page views. Work that is featured on Colossal often turns into a viral internet sensation.

In an interview with the National Endowment for the Arts Christopher explains:

Colossal was born from a lack of creativity and inspiration in my own life. I had been working for years as a web designer in a role that was personally unfulfilling and was unsure of what to do about it. As a way to expose myself to new ideas in art and design, I started the blog as a way to catalogue and share the interesting things I encountered around the web. Three years later it's still going and has completely taken over my life - Christopher Jobson

Game Designer - Stephen Harris

Stephen Harris co-founded the game company Ninja Kiwi with his brother Chris. Ninja Kiwi's most popular game, Bloons, involves monkeys popping balloons with a dart. After attending Western Springs College, Stephen gained a degree in geophysics and, later, a Post Graduate Diploma in Game Development from the Media Design School. It was here that he learnt programming, design and use of Adobe Photoshop - and was surrounded by others who 'lived and breathed' game design.

Ninja Kiwi makes close to $10 million NZD in revenue a year and has about 40 employees. They earn money by selling advertising on their website, virtual currency and smart phone apps.

Firebowl Sculptor - John T. Unger

John T. Unger creates sculptural firebowls that are hand-cut from recycled industrial steel tanks using a plasma torch. Providing light and warmth, the firebowls create a dramatic centre point in an outdoor environment.

Although I did attend the writing program at Interlochen Arts Academy in my senior year of high school, I dropped out of college the first year to pursue my art. I got my education by buying books, tools and materials, by making work, by looking at art in galleries and museums and by occasionally working for more established artists as a studio assistant. The upside of this approach for me was that I had no loans to pay off, was able to focus solely on learning about the art that resonated for me (which is quite a broad area), and my practice was hands-on and built a body of work. So many of the friends I have who went to art school eventually abandoned their art to take jobs that would pay off their loans. - John T. Unger

John reaches a worldwide audience using his own website and online network, and has so far shipped over a thousand firebowls (typically selling for between $1,000 - $3,000 US each) to twelve different countries.

Upcycled Furniture Designers - Jason and Adam Podlaski

Jason and Adam Podlaski design unique, upcycled furniture made from broken skateboards for their business Deckstool. The scraped marks on the skateboards become featured surface decoration, with every piece of furniture one-of-a-kind. Deckstool have recycling programmes in place to collect broken boards and produce furniture that combines modern construction techniques, fine craftsmanship and an artistic aesthetic.

Digital Portrait Artist - Cliff Roth

Cliff Roth paints digital portraits using Google+ 'Hangouts on Air', creating the works live on video - the equivalent of a modern day street caricature artist. His subjects include a number of famous people, including Guy Kawasaki. While it is free to attend one of Cliff's Hangouts and potentially be painted, $40 guarantees you will get one. The portraits are completed in 10 - 60 minutes using Adobe Photoshop CS5 and a Wacom Cintiq 21UX (digital pen and screen).

Cliff studied Art, Photography and 3D Design (Sculpture) at Hopatcong High School, taking as many classes as he could, followed by introductory courses at Country College of Morris. He also completed The Art of Caricature, an online course by Jason Seiler.

Live speed-painting has allowed Cliff to amass a huge Google+ following, with almost 300,000 in his circles. It has also boosted the number of paid commissions he gets (for more detailed, fully rendered digital paintings, as in the examples below).

Magazine Art Director, Graphic Designer, Photographer - Adrienne Pitts

Adrienne Pitts discovered a passion for photography at age 16, when Kristin School first introduced the subject. Adrienne studied both Photography and Design in her senior high school years and, after a year-long student exchange in Chile, completed a Bachelor of Design from Massey University, achieving First Class Honours. Although majoring in photography, Adrienne ensured that all of her elective papers helped prepare her for a graphic design job, allowing her to get the best out of her four year degree.

I found my degree set me up for my career - as I essentially did my own little double major. I came out of University able to find work as both a designer and photographer - and I still do both. These are added strings to my bow, and the quality of education I received from lecturers who were passionate and leaders in the field really made a huge difference to how I approached finding work 'in the real world'.

A degree in a creative field can be a funny thing. I think much of it can be learned in real life, on the job, however internships and apprenticeships in things like photography and design didn't really exist when I was at University in NZ, and I knew I wanted to get the best grounding and education possible. - Adrienne Pitts

Adrienne is currently an award-winning Art Director for the Jamie Oliver magazine in London.

Brian Wood - graphic novelist

Having a career in comics is a lot like being in a band. You have to start small and play a lot of free shows. But you have complete creative freedom. - Brian Wood

Brian has won several Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards and his books have been translated into several languages. Some are currently being developed for the big screen.

Pet Rock Painter - Ernestina Gallina

Ernestina Gallina paints detailed, realistic images of animals onto smooth river stones. After the cracks on the stones are filled, outlines are sketched with chalk before the animal is painted using acrylic. Ernestina did not attend art school, but has refined her craft through endless practise. Based in Italy, Ernestina teaches rock painting and sells her work via shops, exhibitions and her own website.

Personalised Sticker Designer - Emily Lopez

A huge number of people take monthly photographs of their babies to document their growth. When Emily Lopez had her own children, she began creating personal, custom designed baby stickers to help with this process and then selling them via her Etsy store PurplePossom. Emily has a degree in public relations and graphic design.

PurplePossom has made over 50,700 sales through Etsy at an average price of $11 - $18 NZD (this equates to an approximate average of over $8,700 a month).

Handmade Stamp Maker - Susan Walton

T-Shirt Designer - Stephen Harris

Stephen Harris sells T-Shirts and other products through his Redbubble store Zomboy. Redbubble is a website that allows designers to take advantage of print-on-demand technology, with products printed and shipped as they are ordered (all the artist needs to do is upload a design; anyone can sell online without any up-front investment and make profit from the first sale). In a field where there is tough competition, Zomboy is consistently in the Redbubble Top Seller category.

Upcycled furniture designers - Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri

Based in Beirut, Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri run the design and craft studio Bokja, creating furniture pieces made from recycled textiles and tapestries: harmonious combinations of pattern, texture and colour. Bokja avoids mass production and employs only local artists, carpenters and designers.

Education can really open doors, but at the end of the day talent is what really leaves a mark. We are a poster company for this, neither of us have a formal education in what we are doing. It is that talent behind this company that has made it what it is. We have an eye and an instinct for what we do and it's not so much the result of our education, but our passion.

Bokja is an amalgam of things, it is layers and layers of reactionary thoughts, it is 'of the moment' and transient. Our designs are never innocent as they are often references or reinterpretations of something from our past. Within these objects there is a tangible charm that takes us back to the way things used to be, when products carried legacies that transcended time. We have created a cult following around the world; our designs speak a universal language, while appealing to people on a personal and emotional level. - Bokja Design

Their furniture is available in the US and sells for well over $2,000 USD a chair

Font Designer - Daniel McQueen

Daniel McQueen is a young, entrepreneurial typographer and owner of Ten Dollar Fonts - a website where selected designers sell font licenses to the world. After studying both Design and Photography at St Bede's College, Daniel gained a degree in Visual Communication from CPIT School of Art and Design, with a focus on typography.

When his fonts began to gain attention on the social media website Tumblr, Daniel decided to sell licenses to his fonts. Worried that his work would get lost amongst the crowd on an existing font marketplace, he created his own website. Ten Dollar Fonts gained the attention of several well known designers and features prominently in social media.

Daniel gives advice for new graduates in an interview with Zoe Nash of Design Assembly:

...if you're like me and you're not excited by the idea of working for someone else, my advice would be as simple as do something for yourself. Have projects that you enjoy and take it seriously. Be patient and stick at it, you never know where it could take you. Even if you do have a full time job, have creative outlets and work hard at them. You're young and most likely don't have to support anyone but yourself right now, so there is no better time to put your ideas to work. - Daniel McQueen

Graphic Artist / Printmaker / Collage artist - Matt Dinniman

We take old books about to be destroyed and upcycle them in order to give them new life. The aging, slightly-yellowed page is carefully removed, and the image is printed directly on the recycled paper. - Matt Dinniman

Based in Seattle, Matt has made over 55,100 sales since joining Etsy, with artwork commonly priced between $8 - $24 NZD (this roughly equates, on average, to sales of over $9,500+ a month).

Film Concept Artist - Dean Sherriff

Cake Decorator - Brian Stevens

Celebrity Chef Brian Stevens co-founded the specialty bakery Crazy Cakes with his wife, Jennifer. Brian has an Art degree, and became a cake artist after a varied career, including sumo wrestling, digital illustration, sculpting and video game development. He has starred in the Food Network and TLC's Cake Boss: Next Great Baker. He is known for producing meticulously hand-crafted sculpted cakes of all kinds, with detailed textures and realistic painting.

Soft Toy Maker - Wendy Tsao

In a world when things are readily available to everyone, original, handmade items are in demand. Wendy Tsao makes soft toys that are inspired by young children's drawings, taking orders through her website, Child's Own Studio. Her work has become an internet sensation. She recently opened for orders and in three hours was booked out for the whole year.

I am inspired by the child's drawing, a wonderful expression of childhood. Typically, a drawing is sent to me, and I decide if I can work with it. (I normally work only with children's drawings, hand-drawn and coloured). There may be notes included with the drawing. I may ask for clarification about some details. And then I get to work, in my Vancouver studio. The machine whirs, scissors snip, needles zip, and everything gets covered in fibrefill fluff. - Wendy Tsao

Illustrator - Ryan Berkley

And I am regretful for many reasons. I feel like I could have learned how to properly draw the human figure, rather than learning from comic books. I also feel I could have an actual understanding of colour theory, which would be nice. I would have loved to learn some painting techniques. I was always jealous of my friends being in college in general, and in other cities, living on their own. I think that would have been fun. Especially with a bunch of talented art kids.

With over 41,000 sales made in Etsy, and items commonly priced between $12 - 24 NZD, Berkley Illustration generates approximately $7,000 per month in sales on average. This income is supplemented with wholesale orders, gallery shows and commercial commissions, including large clients like Nike, The Discovery Channel and Spoon.

Online Art Gallery Creator, Artist and Technology Entrepreneur - Amanda Lane

After completing her high school education at Rangitoto College and studying Film Animation as part of her Graphic Design degree from Auckland University of Technology, Amanda began a rich and varied career, working as a traditional animator, theatre and film scenic artist, art director and set designer. She now co-owns Exhibbit, a software development company that sells virtual Art galleries to students, artists and traditional galleries. This means that people are able to embed their own virtual 'gallery' within their website (see the image below).

...I have had a number of jobs within the creative industries - there is huge scope for creatives in business, especially now the internet plays such a big role. - Amanda Lane.

Pet Portrait Artist - Ron Burns

Focusing on a particular niche (pet portraiture) and combining artistic skill with generosity and business knowledge helped Ron Burns turn painting into a lucrative career. Ron has adapted a style that sets him apart from the ordinary (the market is flooded dull, realistic pet portraits) and produces vibrant paintings that are rich with emotion-filled colour. Ron began painting dogs in animal shelters (giving a percentage from sales back to the shelters) and, after 9/11, documenting dogs that have lost their lives in tragedy or were involved in bomb detection, disaster relief, or search and rescue. Focusing upon heroic or disadvantaged animals, Ron has supported spay and neuter programmes, anti dog-fighting legislation and helped to generate significant funds for non-profit organisations. Ron has received several awards, television and media publicity and public commendations for his efforts - exposure that has helped to cement Ron as one of the leading dog portrait artists.

Through his own website, Ron sells prints and ready-to-hang, commissioned acrylic paintings of pets to their owners.

Printable Wedding Invitation Designer - Eleanor Mayrhofer

Eleanor Mayrhofer designs downloadable wedding stationary, invitations, greeting cards and other paper items. With quality printers now at an affordable price, Eleanor creates and sells PDF templates with editable text via her Etsy shop e.m.papers, allowing people to print their own invitations at home. After graduating from Art school as a graphic designer, Eleanor was employed by a consulting firm. She now works full time on e.m.papers. Her products have been consistently featured in the media, appearing in magazines such as Marth Stewart Weddings and BRIDES.

Ceramic Artist - Karolina Grudniewska

I find working with clay very intuitive. Once you get the basics, there's a world of possibilities in front of you. It takes hours and hours of practice, with many trials and many failures, but each broken piece teaches you a lesson. Practice and repetition brought me to proficiency, but I feel like I'm learning a new thing almost every day, and there's still so much I'd like to discover and learn.

Repurposed Furniture Designer - Rupert Blanchard

Rupert Blanchard takes mundane, discarded pieces of furniture, reclaimed plywood, used wooden fruit crates and other donated or discarded items and reassembles these to create stunning, contemporary furniture pieces. Working with an assortment of styles, techniques, surfaces, patterns and materials, Rupert creates dressers and furniture items that are reminiscent of abstract art: functional installation pieces for the modern home.

As described by the gentle author:

Rupert has developed a trained eye for the beauty of the disregarded and, as a consequence, lives at the mercy of his compulsion to hoard it, taking him to at least three car boot sales a week and connecting him to an elaborate network of scavengers, junk dealers, house clearance people, skip raiders and demolition workers. "Time will run out before the rubbish does," he pronounced, pulling a long quizzical face, shaking his head and crossing his arms in bewilderment at his crazy hoarding instinct. Yet everything here is wonderful in its way, and Rupert has found means to give new life these artifacts once their original incarnation is defunct. Most of his furniture is one-off pieces, however some have a more streamlined production process.

Final words

The examples of Art, Photography, Sculpture, 3D Design, Game Design and Graphic Design jobs illustrated above are just a handful of the exciting career paths that are possible for high school Art students. It is clear that the journey to a creative career is not always clear cut. A Fine Art degree is not always necessary. Related degrees (Graphic Design, Animation, Computer Science, Web Design, Architecture, Marketing, Business) and/or skill-based courses - among many others - may also lead to successful outcomes.

Skill is practiced and refined ultimately by If you want a creative career, carve out a little space in the world where you can become an expert: hone your craft via daily practice and make something that people love. doing. Combine your artistic skill with ambition, generosity, persistence, hard work and business sensibility. Build a website and show off your talent. Let your work spiral out through social media and be discovered by the world.

And remember: if you are one of those lucky enough to be good at Art other things...be prepared for people to try and convince you that Art is a swift and certain route to poverty (it's not: read and 9 Reasons to Study Art in High School). If this happens to you, keep in mind that those who are good at Art and other things are in the best position of all to succeed.
This article is a work in progress. New careers will be added regularly! You may wish to bookmark this page.

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Where can studying Art or Design take you? What kinds of creative careers exist? A list of 150+ awesome art careers in the modern world.

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A short and very inspiring video by an Art Teacher from another school discussing the importance of CREATIVITY......

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Jobs that use Art and Design - BBC Bitesize

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All the latest BBC Bitesize content about jobs that use art and design.