Written by: Lili Minato | Freelancer
Art & Design is a challenging major to attempt: the workload is difficult and time-consuming, and many believe that an art-related job after college is unachievable. In reality, there are a plethora of possible careers for those interested in pursuing art. All mediums are welcome in this short list of rewarding and feasible jobs for artists.
Art teacher — Starting with the obvious, an art teacher is a great profession for those interested in spreading the love of art through teaching. This job is extremely versatile considering one could teach children, teens or adults. It presents a great opportunity to instruct up-and-coming artists, while still having time to create one’s own art. For those also interested in psychology, an art therapist could be a great choice for a future career.
Brand design — Also known as corporate identity, this occupation involves designing logos and visuals for brands. This would be a great career for those interested in graphic design or illustration. Brand design consists of developing designs and visuals that coincide with a brand’s identity and function. Applications may include the following: logo design, package design, advertising, merchandise and much more. Those who are also interested in business and psychology may find this career extra intriguing.
Web design — Web design covers a wide range of jobs and careers relating to both art and science. For those interested in graphic design, one could consider being a web graphic designer. Web graphic designers create the visual look of websites, such as color schemes, fonts, logos and more. For those interested in computer science, a job in information architecture could be more interesting. Information architecture creates the structure of websites and pages to keep information clear and readable. For those who love video games and character design, a game designer could also be a good career choice. Video game design could include the creation of concept art, original characters or scenery. Most of the visuals seen in video games needed an artist to create them.
Commissioned artist — While also an obvious option, there is a wide range of artwork an artist can be commissioned for. One could do pet portraits or environmental artwork. All art that one makes is valid, and there will always be an audience out there to buy art pieces. Whether it be a million-dollar oil painting or a fifteen-dollar art print, commissioned artwork may not be how some single-handedly make a living, but it can never harm an artist to put one’s pieces on sale.
Misc. illustrator — There are a multitude of options for those interested in illustration. One could be a courtroom, medical or botanical illustrator. One could sketch out storyboards for movies, TV shows or ads. One could make greeting cards or book covers. If one is good at picturing facial features, a job as a police sketch artist could be a possible career. There is a wide range for those who enjoy illustrating, there is always something for everyone.
There are various other job options that weren’t listed above. If one is interested in an artistic field but is unsure of what the future may hold, many careers support artistic pursuits. The Center for Professional Pathways, located in the Werner University Center, is a great option for those looking to discover such a career.
Contact the author at lminato22@mail.wou.edu
