Options with your subject: Art and design

Many graduate employers seek to recruit people who are lateral thinkers and creative problem-solvers, qualities that are natural to artists and designers...

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Art therapist
• Community arts worker
• Fashion designer
• Fine artist
• Graphic designer
• Illustrator
• Printmaker
• Textile designer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advertising account executive
• Arts administrator
• Multimedia specialist
• Museum/gallery curator

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. To find out what jobs would suit you, log in to My Prospects. 

Work experience

Experience in related areas is always valued by employers so it is a good idea to develop your skills, knowledge and experience as much as possible while studying. Taking part in exhibitions, shows and competitions and undertaking commissions helps to develop useful skills and can be used as evidence of drive, determination and initiative. Completing a period of voluntary work or work experience also helps develop skills in commercial awareness, communication and negotiation.

Networking is also a crucial tool and may lead to future work opportunities. Try to build useful contacts and keep in touch with anyone you have previously worked with.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

There are opportunities in the creative industries and also in creative roles in various sectors including arts administration, media, education, health, and marketing, advertising and PR. Employers can include local councils, advertising agencies and design consultancies, educational institutions (for teaching art and design), and publishing or multimedia companies.

Self-employment is also a common option, particularly for those with experience and for those who have built up contacts. This may include designing and producing work for exhibitions, direct sales or through retail craft outlets. It can also involve working in an advisory or consultative capacity. For advice on setting up a business, see self-employment.

Skills for your CV

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:

• imagination and creativity;
• critical awareness of self and external factors and the ability to be reflective;
• interpersonal and social skills;
• resourcefulness;
• an appreciation of diversity;
• creative problem-solving;
• teamworking;
• the ability to work independently;
• decision-making;
• oral and written communication;
• visual presentation;
• information and research;
• self-motivation and self-management;
• organisation and planning;
• IT, particularly using creative software.

Further 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.

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).

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research.

What do art and design graduates do?

Around 69% of art and design graduates are in employment six months after graduating. Of those, just over a third are working in art, desing, culture and sport professions. 10% are in either full-time further study or a combination of work and study.

For a detailed breakdown of what art and design graduates are doing six months after graduation, see What Do Graduates Do?  

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

AGCAS

Written by AGCAS editors

Date: 

January 2012

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