Are you considering a career in art because you love to draw, paint or design? Do you take art in school or have won awards for your pictures? You can make a living doing what you love. Although job growth is expected to grow very slowly over the next 10 years, there will be demand for employees in the fields of animation and visual effects. After all, the demand for video games, media and Apps is not slowing down. Here are 6 high paying jobs in art. |
Art Director
Art directors conceive the design plan for a project and then supervise artists to create it. Jobs in this field are in print media, film media and in marketing. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree and experience working with art. Backgrounds in graphic design, illustration, photography, or copy editing are common. Salary can be as high as $89,000!
Industrial Designer
An industrial designer works on product creation. He or she develops new product concepts based on aesthetics, costs, function and use. A client will explain what they need. The designer will then research how the item will be used and will create renderings using CAD software. The next steps are to develop prototypes and review them with engineers and manufacturers for feasibility. The minimum requirement in this field is a Bachelor’s degree. The pay ranges from $62,000 to $71,000 per year!
Fashion Designer
You can combine your love of art with your love of fashion and make a very nice living. Your sketch designs can become shoes, clothing and accessories. With a Bachelor’s degree, a fashion designer can earn an average of $63,670 per year. Jobs are found wherever apparel is manufactured or sold. The duties include selecting fabric, attending trade shows, studying and anticipating trends, and overseeing the production of the final products.
Multimedia Artist
This job is for artists who have taken courses in computer graphics, animation, painting, drawing, sculpture, interactive media and game design. Places of work include movie production, video production and in scientific and technical companies. Many multimedia artists are self-employed. Income can average $63, 970 annually.
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers do not earn as much as the above mentioned occupations but the job can be used to advance to supervisory positions. The median salary per year is $46,900 according to the Bureau of Labor. The job is to create visual designs or advertisements that appeal to consumers. Their work can be used in magazines, brochures, and company reports. Industries that employ graphic designers are public relations, advertising, and publishing. One fifth of designers are self-employed. Many work in studios at home or at the employer's business. Candidates usually have a good portfolio and a Bachelor’s degree.
Interior Designer
If you can look at a space and visualize a beautiful design, you might like to be an interior designer. Interior designers bid on projects. If they win a job, they work with the client to determine goals and requirements. While keeping building codes and regulations in mind, they produce preliminary design plans. Once the plan is approved, the interior designer works with construction managers, architects and engineers to commence the project while keeping timelines and costs in check. The designer is also responsible for selecting and ordering all materials and furniture. Minimum requirements for this occupation are a Bachelor’s degree and possibly a state issued license. Pay averages at $48, 840 per year.
Where to Find Artist Jobs
A quick search of a job board shows the most openings in New York City, NY, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, Chicago, IL, Seattle, WA, Austin TX, and Boston, MA. HDR is a large company that is hiring right now. Besides the jobs mentioned, one can work in designing signs, as an art teacher, website development, floral design and even book illustration. While the term “starving artist” can be a deterrent, it doesn’t mean that an artist cannot ever find work. It might mean that you will have to relocate. It also might mean that you have to compete for the best positions. So arm yourself with a great education and amazing portfolio and you should be fine.