11 Careers in Art and Design You Should Know About

Jobs for artists are as varied as the color wheel itself. Diving into careers in art and design means you're not just picking a job but immersing yourself in a world brimming with creativity, imagination, and endless possibilities. This field isn't just about creating; it's about pushing boundaries, igniting discussions, and bringing groundbreaking ideas to the forefront.

So, why should you consider a career in art and design? It's simple. You get to create aesthetically pleasing works, communicate ideas, evoke emotions, and solve problems in innovative ways. As an artist, you're at the forefront of cultural and technological shifts, often leading trends, and challenging conventional thinking.

Additionally, art careers offer diverse specialties, ensuring you can find a niche that resonates with your unique talents and interests. The satisfaction of seeing your creative vision come to life and influencing the world around you is unparalleled, making art and design not just a promising career but a fulfilling life pursuit.

11 Careers in Art and Design

We've rounded up some of the best artistic jobs that might be a great match for you. Remember, when looking at the median salaries for each job, it's essential to consider various factors such as your experience level, industry, and location in which you work to get a more accurate idea of what you can earn.

1. Animator

An animator brings characters and stories to life using various techniques, such as 2D animation, 3D modeling, and motion graphics. In this role, you could work in various industries, including film, television, video games, and digital media, creating visually appealing and emotionally engaging sequences. If you’re looking for artistic careers that are exciting, dynamic, and pay well, this is an excellent choice.

Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in animation, computer graphics, multimedia studies, or a related field. In addition, developing a solid portfolio showcasing your animation skills is crucial. Check out our animator resume sample for more ideas.

Median salary: $98,950 per year

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2. Art Director

An art director oversees the visual style and images in various media, such as magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and digital and television productions. You'll conceptualize and direct the aesthetic vision, coordinating with other creative staff to ensure the visual elements align with the project's goals and narrative. It’s no surprise that this is one of the highest-paying careers in art.

Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in an art or design subject, such as graphic design, photography, fine art, or visual communications, is typically required. A robust portfolio demonstrating a broad range of design and leadership skills is also essential. Take a look at our art director resume sample to help you apply.

Median salary: $105,180 per year

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3. Art Teacher

Encourage future doodlers! Remember art class, where you could finally let your imagination loose? This is one of the most fulfilling careers in art where you get to create that opportunity for your students every day. You'll educate young people about various artistic techniques and theories, fostering creativity and self-expression through the study of art.

Job requirements: You’ll need a state license or certification on top of a bachelor's degree in art education or a related field. If you want to teach at the college level, a master's degree may also be required. Check out our art teacher resume sample for inspiration when creating your applications.

Median Salary: $77,280 per year

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4. Cake Decorator

Cake decorators whip up everything from elaborate multi-tiered wedding cakes to more straightforward creations for corporate events, birthdays, and other celebrations. You'll skillfully use techniques such as piping, icing, sculpting, and airbrushing to create designs ranging from elegant and sophisticated to whimsical and playful. You must also understand food safety and ingredient properties well, as you'll work with various edible materials like fondant, buttercream, and chocolate.

Job requirements:& Cake decorators usually hone their skills in culinary school. Check out this baker resume sample to see what to include.

Median salary: $32,780 per year

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5. Fashion Designer

There’s lots of clothing—outerwear, underwear, streetwear, everywhere! —and all of it needs to be designed. Same goes for shoes and accessories. Fashion designers create wearables with performance, comfort, and style in mind. They are involved in every step of the design process, from sketching original ideas and selecting fabrics to overseeing production. This is an excellent match if you’re looking for careers in art where you can use your creative problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in fashion design or merchandising is required. You'll also need to develop a solid portfolio to showcase your design style and creativity. When applying for opportunities in this field, refer to our fashion designer resume sample for inspiration.

Median salary: $76,700 per year

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6. Graphic Designer

A graphic designer creates visual concepts to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They use a combination of art and technology, working with various digital tools and software, to design and produce material like advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. You’d most likely work directly for a brand or for a variety of clients at an agency.

Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field such as printmaking is the typical minimum, although you’ll also need a portfolio of your work. Our sample resume for a graphic designer has everything you need to help you create a standout application.

Median salary: $57,990 per year

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7. Illustrator

Illustrators get their doodle on every day, creating everything from sketches and storyboards to glyphs and logos. Technical illustrators (also known as scientific illustrators) use descriptions of products to create visual counterparts. They draft charts, schematics, and diagrams that will often appear in technical publications, textbooks, or user manuals. If you’re looking for drawing jobs this is the perfect match.

Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in illustration, fine arts, or a related field will help you land this job. Developing a strong portfolio showcasing your unique style and range of abilities is also crucial for career success. For help, check out this illustrator resume sample.

Median salary: $57,560 per year

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8. Industrial Designer

From cars to home appliances to manufactured goods, industrial designers are the people behind the designs. They use various tools, including computer-aided design (CAD) software, to create and refine their designs. Your job is to weigh various factors like function, aesthetics, and production cost, and propose designs to project managers. Its easy to see why this is one of the highest paid careers in art.

Job requirements: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering. A strong portfolio demonstrating your design skills and creativity is also crucial for career opportunities. Check out this industrial engineer resume sample for more ideas to get noticed.

Median salary: $75,910 per year

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9. Interior Designer

Searching for careers in art where you can create aesthetically pleasing and functional indoor spaces? This could be the perfect match. In this role, you'll assess clients' needs and preferences to conceptualize and plan interior layouts, including selecting color schemes, lighting, furniture, and other decorative elements. You'll also ensure your designs adhere to safety standards and building codes.

Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in interior design is typically required. Many states also require interior designers to be licensed or certified, which often involves passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam after completing educational and work experience requirements. Our sample interior design resume can help you create your own exceptional first impression when you’re ready to apply.

Median salary: $61,590 per year

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10. Makeup Artist

Interested in art and cosmetics? This is one of the best jobs in art where you get to make people look great, whether it’s for movies, film, television, theater, fashion, or special events. You'll use different makeup techniques, products, and tools to achieve desired looks, from natural and subtle to bold and dramatic.

Job requirements: Typically, you’ll need a certificate from an accredited beauty school or cosmetology program. Impress hiring managers with the inspiration from our sample resume for a makeup artist.

Median salary: The median pay for a makeup artist is $19.48 per hour.

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11. Photographer

A photographer captures images that tell stories, convey emotions, or document events. Using technical skills in camera operation, lighting, and composition, you'll create photographs in various genres, such as portrait, landscape, commercial, and journalistic photography. You'll often edit and process your own images, using software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to enhance the final product.

Job requirements: Photography courses, practice, and industry experience are the most important prerequisites. You can also pursue a degree in photography if you choose. Take a look at this sample photographer resume for an idea of what to present to employers.

Median salary: $40,170 per year

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Create Your Own Fulfilling Career in Art and Design

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