Art and design : Career areas

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 2010, six months after graduation, 69% of art and design graduates had gone into employment, including self-employment, with 32% of those 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.

Where are the jobs?

There are opportunities in the creative industries and also in creative roles in the following sectors:

• media;
• advertising, marketing and PR;
• arts administration;
• education;
• health.

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:

• Advertising, marketing and PR - concerned with promoting and selling products and services and includes planning, promotion, media relations and market research.
• Media - a varied industry, including television, radio, film, corporate production and interactive media.
• Creative arts - covers a wide range of roles such as writing, acting, arts administration, design and photography.

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 by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, with the data being collected within just 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?