Description
The field of Arts and Design includes an ample range of careers, which require different skill sets and qualifications. What makes this career stream desirable is the association of varied fields and creative aspects. The Arts industry includes a broad group of employment opportunities, including various professions that can also belong in other fields, such as Advertising and Marketing; Architecture; Crafts; Design; Fashion; Film, TV, Video, Radio and Photography; IT, Software and Computer Services; Publishing; Museums, Galleries and Libraries; and Music, Performing and Visual Arts.
The Arts field includes practical roles, like Artist, Designer, or Photographer, as well as administrative or managerial ones, such as Museum Curator or Arts Administrator. Careers in Art and Design are all about creating things which are appealing to the eye. Art is traditionally created purely for its aesthetic appeal, whereas design tends to revolve around a product.
Tasks Overview
Art and Design professionals are usually responsible for the following:
- Building a network of clients and industry contacts.
- Performing, designing, photographing, editing, and using different audio, video, and design tools and editing software applications, as needed.
- Using literature, music, dance, theater, photography, cinematography, and/or other visual arts, to convey a message to an audience or a client.
- Working alongside a client or a director.
- Taking on any project that develops their creativity.
All professionals working in the Arts field usually share the same characteristics, which include, but are not limited to:
- Being creative and having a keen eye for detail.
- Coming up with new ideas and developing their own ideas.
- Having excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Being business savvy, diligent, and great at networking.
- Being structured and detail-oriented.
- Being great at multitasking.
- Having expert computer skills and a thorough knowledge of design software applications.
If a person decides to enter this field, they won’t only need to have innate talent, but also be highly motivated, have a very expansive imagination, and a lot of passion for this line of business. It can be a tough road to walk down, but if they have a genuine passion for it, there are several career routes that they can take.
Most professionals in the area have a higher than average likelihood of being self-employed or freelance, or of working on short-term contracts; the majority of work is usually project-based and deadline-driven. Careers in the Arts industry greatly depend on the reputation, a strong portfolio, creativity, and experience of the candidate.
Although most careers in the Arts industry don’t require a degree or certification, most job offers require a trade school certification in the designated field of expertise.