Options with art and design
Many graduate employers seek to recruit people who are lateral thinkers and creative problem-solvers. These qualities are natural to artists and designers and therefore make them an attractive asset, particularly to the UK creative industries sector. This sector relies on people who can think differently, formulate questions and solve problems.
Increasingly, artists and designers are also finding work in areas unrelated to the world of art and design. Creative skills are valued and actively sought across a wide range of employment sectors, as employers are looking to recruit employees who are adaptable and can generate fresh ideas.
Art and design courses equip you with a combination of practical skills mixed with theory. The specific skills differ according to the art and design discipline, but the following transferable skills are common to all subject areas:
Taking part in exhibitions, shows and competitions and undertaking commissions also help develop these skills and can be used as evidence of drive, determination and initiative. Undertaking a period of voluntary work or work experience also helps develop skills in commercial awareness, communication and negotiation.
Many art and design graduates spend at least part of their early careers as portfolio workers - carrying out two or more quite different roles in order to earn a living. A portfolio career may involve elements of art and design practice together with, for example, teaching, community arts work, art therapy, etc.
A significant number of art and design graduates also become self-employed at some point in their career. This may involve designing and producing work for exhibitions, direct sale or through retail craft outlets. It can also involve working in an advisory or consultative capacity.
There may be opportunities for voluntary work in art therapy or community arts for art and design graduates. This will build up your contacts and experience and may lead to paid work.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
The career path of art and design graduates is often complex during the early years. It is common to be working in more than one job simultaneously, e.g. freelancing alongside salaried work and further study.
Many graduates initially work outside the sector, although this is not the case long term. Art and design graduates need time to develop a ‘creative’ career, as success often depends on getting a foot in the door, building a portfolio, gaining experience and contacts from placements and voluntary work, and acquiring the knowledge and finance to set up a business. Self-employment is also a popular choice.
In 2011, six months after graduation, 70% of art and design graduates had gone into full-time employment in the UK or overseas, including self-employment, with a further 5% combining work and study. Of those in work, 37% were working in art, design, sport and culture-related roles. Jobs undertaken by these graduates included commercial artist, fine artist, graphic artist and designer, clothing designer and industrial designer.
An art and design degree is useful for all areas of the creative industries, and across other employment sectors.
There are opportunities in the creative industries and also in creative roles in the following sectors:
Self-employment is a common option, particularly for those with experience and for those who have built up contacts through a range of activities, including networking and taking part in shows, exhibitions and competitions.
For an insight into employment areas see:
Employ a proactive and creative approach to your job search. Promote yourself in writing, over the phone or over the web. You have the opportunity to use your imagination to create original applications, with your business card, examples of drawings, designs, a photographic portfolio or showreel, a website or CD ROM.
See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
In 2011, six months after graduation, just under 10% of art and design graduates had gone on to either full-time further study or a combination of work and study.
Some art and design graduates choose to undertake further study in an area related to their first degree or one that allows them to gain specific vocational, technical or specialist skills Courses are available in a wide range of subject areas, including fine art, photography, painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, printmaking, interior design, visual communication, graphic design, animation, illustration, fashion, art history, design management, film and television production, advertising art and design, museum design, curating, three-dimensional design, costume design, furniture design and art therapy.
For those interested in self-employment, a business, finance, marketing or management course may be useful. These courses are also relevant for a range of roles in the creative and other industries.
Some art and design graduates choose to go into teaching and gain qualified teacher status (QTS) through the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), or the Scottish Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgrad study and search courses and research to identify your options.
Look at funding my further study for details relating to finance and the application process.
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