Art and design : Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Fine artist - creates original pieces of art work, through a variety of mediums. Often specialises in a particular type of art: two-dimensional work (drawing, painting, collage); three-dimensional work (sculpture, installation); or four-dimensional work (moving images, performance).
• Fashion designer - works on the design of items of clothing and fashion ranges. Some designers may focus completely on one specialist area, such as sportswear, childrenswear, footwear or accessories.
• Graphic designer - produces design solutions to communicate client messages with high visual impact.
• Illustrator - uses creativity and the technical skills of painting and drawing to communicate ideas, sensations, facts, feelings and emotions. Illustrators work to commercial briefs to inform, persuade or entertain a client's intended audience.
• Printmaker - designs and makes prints. Techniques such as woodcuts or silk-screens are used to create images which are transposed onto surfaces, generally using a printing press.
• Textile designer - works in knit, weave and print to create two-dimensional designs that can be produced in a design repeat for the production of commercial or artistic fabrics or textile products.
• Advertising account executive - works on the visual side of advertising, producing original ideas in response to a brief from the client and being involved in all stages of the project, from initial concept to finished product.
• Secondary school teacher - teaches art or design, craft, or technology as part of the national curriculum to pupils aged 11-18.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Art therapist - works with people of all ages and backgrounds using the visual arts as a medium for healing, awareness and self-development.
• Community arts worker - works with communities to improve their quality of life using a variety of art forms to explore relevant issues. Generally works in areas where there are social, cultural or environmental issues.
• Arts administrator - supports artistic activity, including the presentation, exhibition or preservation of cultural forms in the performing, visual and heritage arts. Functions range from marketing and booking, to finance and insurance matters.
• Museum/gallery curator - acquires, cares for, develops, displays and interprets a collection of artefacts or works of art in order to inform, educate and entertain the public. The role also includes PR, fundraising, handling enquiries, education and access activities.
• Multimedia specialist - combines design and technical knowledge to create information and communication technology (ICT) based products that entertain, educate or inform the user. Typical outputs include entertainment products, education and training materials, marketing materials, catalogue databases and public information resources.
• Retail buyer - plans and selects the range, type and quantity of products, and reviews existing and sources new merchandise to ensure products remain competitive.

Other options

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.