Designers create many of the products we use every day, conveying concepts, ideas, and emotion through their work. They’re responsible for how things look and function. The profession is broken into specialized segments, because creating a material product is very different from designing a website or video game.
- ARCHITECTURE
- Architects design and plan the building and construction of various structures. These could be homes, office spaces, shopping centers, industrial buildings, landmarks, hospitals, public infrastructure, and more. The safety and structural integrity of these various buildings relies on the architect. They collaborate with clients to determine project requirements, create detailed blueprints and 3D models, and oversee construction to ensure designs are being executed properly.Architects must take various elements, codes, and regulations into account on the job. These could include environmental regulations, budget constraints, material specifications, any space-related constraints, along with state and local regulations.
- To enroll in an architectural program, you need either a high school diploma or a GED. Generally speaking, architects need at least a bachelor’s degree accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB). Most architecture bachelor’s degrees take 5 years to complete. It’s likely that you will be required to enroll in an internship upon graduation from your program.In addition to an internship, you’ll need to get professionally licensed or certified. Exact licensing or certification can differ depending on your state, however, licensure usually involves passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Some architects also opt for Master’s degrees, which are not typically required, but can open one up to opportunities later in their career.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that architects in 2023 earned an average of $100,400, with the top 10 percent making $151,300 or more. The BLS also predicts that demand for architects will increase 8 percent over the next decade, which is faster job growth than that of the national average.Find an architecture program near you!
- ART
- Artists produce original works of art using various mediums and techniques, such as painting, sculpting, drawing, or digital media. An artist will often showcase their work in galleries, museums, and exhibitions, then sell their creations to collectors, businesses, or individuals.Many artists also generate income through commissions, teaching art, licensing their work for products, and collaborating with other creatives. Success as an artist requires a mix of creativity, technical skills, and strong entrepreneurial abilities to market their work effectively.
- Art programs require students to have either a high school diploma or GED to enroll. Many artists opt to receive either associate or bachelor’s degrees, however artists with bachelor’s degrees may have a broader array of opportunities throughout their careers. Many of these bachelor’s degree programs take around 4 years to complete. Some artists may also choose to get their Master of Fine Arts (MFA). An MFA may be right for artists aiming for more advanced technical skills, or who are pursuing jobs requiring higher education.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2023, artists earned an average of $78,890, with the top 10 percent making $128,270 or more. Also, the BLS states that demand for artists by 2033 is expected to increase steadily by 3 percent. This growth is as fast as the national average.Find an art program near you!
- FASHION MERCHANDISING
- INTERIOR DESIGN
- MEDIA ARTS
- MUSIC & AUDIO PRODUCTION
- PHOTOGRAPHY
- UX DESIGN
- VIDEO GAME DESIGN
- VIDEO PRODUCTION
- WEB DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN
Find design programs near you!
ARCHITECTURE
Architects design and plan the building and construction of various structures. These could be homes, office spaces, shopping centers, industrial buildings, landmarks, hospitals, public infrastructure, and more. The safety and structural integrity of these various buildings relies on the architect. They collaborate with clients to determine project requirements, create detailed blueprints and 3D models, and oversee construction to ensure designs are being executed properly.
Architects must take various elements, codes, and regulations into account on the job. These could include environmental regulations, budget constraints, material specifications, any space-related constraints, along with state and local regulations.
Education
To enroll in an architectural program, you need either a high school diploma or a GED. Generally speaking, architects need at least a bachelor’s degree accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB). Most architecture bachelor’s degrees take 5 years to complete. It’s likely that you will be required to enroll in an internship upon graduation from your program.
In addition to an internship, you’ll need to get professionally licensed or certified. Exact licensing or certification can differ depending on your state, however, licensure usually involves passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Some architects also opt for Master’s degrees, which are not typically required, but can open one up to opportunities later in their career.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that architects in 2023 earned an average of $100,400, with the top 10 percent making $151,300 or more. The BLS also predicts that demand for architects will increase 8 percent over the next decade, which is faster job growth than that of the national average.
Find an architecture program near you!
ART
Artists produce original works of art using various mediums and techniques, such as painting, sculpting, drawing, or digital media. An artist will often showcase their work in galleries, museums, and exhibitions, then sell their creations to collectors, businesses, or individuals.
Many artists also generate income through commissions, teaching art, licensing their work for products, and collaborating with other creatives. Success as an artist requires a mix of creativity, technical skills, and strong entrepreneurial abilities to market their work effectively.
Education
Art programs require students to have either a high school diploma or GED to enroll. Many artists opt to receive either associate or bachelor’s degrees, however artists with bachelor’s degrees may have a broader array of opportunities throughout their careers. Many of these bachelor’s degree programs take around 4 years to complete. Some artists may also choose to get their Master of Fine Arts (MFA). An MFA may be right for artists aiming for more advanced technical skills, or who are pursuing jobs requiring higher education.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2023, artists earned an average of $78,890, with the top 10 percent making $128,270 or more. Also, the BLS states that demand for artists by 2033 is expected to increase steadily by 3 percent. This growth is as fast as the national average.
Find an art program near you!
FASHION MERCHANDISING
INTERIOR DESIGN
Main article: Interior Designer Career
Interior designers are professionally trained and licensed to create beautiful, functional, and safe spaces. With a creative eye and analytical mind, interior designers draw up master plans to suit their clients’ needs. Some interior designers choose to specialize. You can focus on residential areas, healthcare facilities, and hotels. Or you may decide to target a particular room type, like bathrooms, kitchens, or bedrooms. You’ll work closely alongside architects, builders, and engineers to determine how the plan will look, function, and be furnished.
Education
Interior design focuses on both the conceptual and technical components of a space, as well as the visual elements. Here are some steps you can take to become an interior designer:
- Get your high school diploma or GED.
- Get an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular route, as more employers are looking to hire interior designers with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Become a registered interior designer by passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam. Californian residents take the California Council for Interior Design Certification exam.
- Gain work experience and build your portfolio.
Most states require interior designers to be licensed, but requirements vary by state.
Most interior designers work in offices, whether it’s through a design firm, a furniture store, or a residential construction company. There is a certain degree of travel in the job, since many interior designers travel to client's offices and work sites. Some major travel could be involved, depending on the customer. With the advancement of technology, interior designers do not hand draw the plans as often as they used to. Interior designers need to be proficient in the programs like computer-aided design and building information software to give their clients 2D and 3D visual of the plans.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average wage for interior designers in 2023 was $68,530, with the top 10 percent making $101,860 or more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also expects that demand for interior designers will increase 4 percent by 2032, which is as fast as the national average.
The highest growth segment for interior designers will be in the specialized design firms, like ones that focus on hospitality or healthcare. Higher-income areas will have better employment opportunities for interior designers. By staying on top of the technology trends with interior design-related software or specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, or other rooms, it shouldn’t be too hard to find employment.
Media artists use digital tools, multimedia platforms, and other emerging technologies to produce visually engaging content for clients across various industries. These industries include advertising, entertainment, design, tech, and more.
Animation, video production, graphic design, and interactive media are some of the mediums media artists work in. They collaborate with creative teams, clients, and various specialists to deliver polished work resonating with a target audience.
Education
To enroll in a media arts program, you will need either a high school diploma or a GED. Many media artists enter the field, and maintain a great career with an associate degree. This career can be great for the creative professional who is eager to break into the work force as soon as possible. Some media artists do decide to further their education with a bachelor’s degree, however. You may need to get an internship prior to landing a job as a media artist.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that media artists in 2023 earned an average of $109,630, with the top 10 percent making $169,580 or more. The BLS also predicts that demand for media artists will increase slightly by 4 percent over the next decade. This rate is as fast as that of the national average of all occupations.
Find a media arts program near you!
MUSIC & AUDIO PRODUCTION
Audio producers oversee the process of recording songs and perform many roles during the recording process. Responsibilities of audio producers include composing songs, arranging vocals and instruments, selecting style of music, managing contracts, copyrights, and finances.
Some will work independently, but most producers will work with a team of engineers, assistants, songwriters, and marketing professionals. You may be freelance, or you might work in a recording studio or for an in-house record label. You may wish to earn certain certifications to advance your career further and increase your earning potential.
Education
To enroll in an audio production program, you need at least a high school diploma or a GED equivalent. An associate degree in audio production takes about 2 years to complete, whereas a certificate program may provide accelerated learning. Classes you take typically will involve theories of recording, live sound reinforcement, sound design, audio editing, and more.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that audio producers in 2023 earned an average of $74,100 with the top 10 percent making $132,940 or more. The BLS also predicts that the audio production industry will be stable in coming years. By 2032, demand for audio production is expected to show no significant increase or decease.
Find an audio production program near you!
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographers photograph and produce high-quality images. Using cameras and other technical equipment, they bring their subjects to life. Photographers are responsible for the planning of photoshoots, collaborating with clients, editing photos, and managing the lighting and composition to effectively convey their vision.
Photographers can work independently, or for a company. Some of the many industries needing photographers include weddings and events, media, marketing, publishing, science, and sports. Photographers must have a creative eye and excellent people skills when it comes to guiding and posing their subjects.
Education
While formal education isn’t always required, many pursue schooling to formally learn techniques related to camera operation, lighting, and editing software. Many photographers get their associate degree, and some opt for a bachelor’s. There are certain certifications and courses photographers can take, which may help them stand out in the professional job market.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that photographers in 2023 earned an average of $53,380, with the top 10 percent making $95,740. The BLS also estimates that demand for photographers will increase slightly by 4 percent over the next decade. This rate is as fast as that of the national average of all occupations.
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UX DESIGN
UX stands for user experience, and their sole focus is creating websites and apps that are easy to use and drive sales. The responsibility of a UX designer extends far beyond the realm of a website or app's appearance. Instead, as a UX designer, your decisions for a company will be based on research, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
Any interaction users have with your company’s electronic components (website, features, apps, socials, etc.), will circle back to a UX designer. If you are someone with technical skills and IT knowledge who is also resourceful when it comes to design and functionality, you may really enjoy being a UX designer.
What UX Designers Do
Other responsibilities you can anticipate as a UX designer are understanding the brand and its targeted users, conducting research and troubleshooting, conducting user tests, communicating your findings to your client/business, prototyping, and more. In addition, a fundamental understanding of design principles and coding skills can benefit your career as a UX designer.
Become an asset to any company’s technological services and impact a brand’s perception by being a skilled UX designer. Lending your talents to a company’s technical side not only impacts user experience, but the brand’s overall appearance to users.
Education
An associate degree in UX design can take 2 years to complete, whereas some certificate programs can take between 6 to 12 months.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, UX designers earned an average of $108,820 in 2023, with the top 10 percent making $176,490 or more. The BLS also predicts that demand for UX designers will increase 16 percent by 2032, which is much faster than that of the national average.
Find a UX Design program near you.
VIDEO GAME DESIGN
Main Article: Getting Into Video Game Design
Video game designers are responsible for every aspect that goes into a video game. Typically working under the direction of a lead designer, you will work in a collaborative environment while suggesting innovative new games and the details surrounding them. You determine the landscape, characters, objectives, game mechanics, and more.
After the video game concept is created and a design is put in place, you will put all of the plans into a concept document and present it to specific team members. From there, it will be a collaborative decision whether or not to move forward with the project. Should the concept be approved, you will then work with artists and programmers to develop a prototype. This lets the game be viewed on a smaller scale, allowing you to add details and evolve it over time.
The daily tasks of a game designer may change on a regular basis. Because video game processes usually take time and can vary based on the game’s detail and direction, you may be responsible for multiple accounts and the due dates surrounding these. Having multiple deadlines for a variety of programs requires you to collaborate with other experts, such as artists, producers, audio engineers, programmers, and animators. By working with many team members, your video game will come alive.
Education
The majority of job opportunities require a minimum of an associate degree, as well as previous experience. When it comes to getting hired, your main selling point will be your portfolio, which should consist of multiple ranges of your talent, from character sketches and brainstorming ideas, to game proposals and completed game projects.
To become a video game designer, you need to:
- Get your high school diploma or GED.
- Some companies may prefer to hire game designers with a bachelor’s degree, while others may just hire them based on their portfolio alone.
- Your portfolio is the single most important selling tool when it comes to your skills.
- You can also find an internship and gain experience and add to your portfolio.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average wage for video game designers in 2023 was $109,630, with the top 10 percent making $169,580 or more. The BLS also states that industry demand for game designers is expected to increase 8 percent by 2032, which is faster than that of the national average.
Find a video game design program near you!
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Video production specialists handle all facets of video production. The content they produce may include short advertisements, instructional videos/promos, commercials, highlight reels, and even product demos. Your main objective as a video production specialist will be to create video content for corporations and other entities, whether it’s an agency, a small business, or a large media outlet.
What Video Production Specialists Do
Video production specialists differ from videographers; a videographer leads the process of recording the video onsite and editing it, whereas the production specialist takes the edited product, and produces its final version for publication and/or air time.
As a video production specialist, you will plan, create, process, upload, edit, and manage video content. Your job may also involve interacting with clients and internal stakeholders. To excel in this position you need excellent time management, technical expertise, and software knowledge. Software you may work with includes Adobe Premier Pro, AfterEffects, DaVinci Resolve, and Apple Final Cut Pro, among many others.
Education
If you are someone who is visionary, passionate about film and video, and has a technical yet artistic eye, you may enjoy a career in video production. Earning an associate in video production can take 2 years to complete.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that video production specialists in 2023 earned an average salary of $107,170, with the top 10 percent making $174,540 or more. The BLS also predicts that by 2032, demand for video production specialists will increase 7 percent, which is faster than the national average of all occupations.
Find a video production program near you.
WEB DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN
Main article: Web Design
If you’ve spent any time searching the Internet, you know each website is unique in looks and feel. A web designer is a professional who makes and designs beautiful, easy-to-use websites for a client. Whether that client is a large corporation or a local lawn care service, website designers must collaborate with the customer and incorporate the wants and needs into an eye-catching and memorable website.
As a web designer, you will be involved in both the technical and graphical aspect of the website, from collaborating with a client on design ideas to establishing the color scheme and functionality. You’ll also brainstorm ideas with your client and may write and edit the content. Not only is it your job to create the look of the website, but also, it may fall on you to adjust and maintain the site as it grows.
You should have a solid understanding of graphic design programs such as Photoshop, as well as a grasp on HTML, Javascript/JQuery, and CSS. The monthly maintenance on a site requires working closely with the development team in order to keep the site current and prioritize needs for the future. When maintaining a website, you will have to test the site on multiple platforms to ensure the functionality is responsive across cellphones, tablets, and desktop computers.
Education
There are many self-taught web designers out there who run great freelance businesses, but on the agency level, many employers prefer to hire designers with a degree. Here's how you can get started as a graphic designer:
- Earn an associate degree in web design.
- Learn all you can about HTML, Javascript, CSS, and graphic design programs.
- Create a portfolio highlighting all your best work.
- Self promote yourself through social media, networking, and advertising.
- Continually learn, because web design is constantly changing and evolving.
- Consider going back to school to become a web developer, which may help with career advancement. For example, you can choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary for web designers in 2023 was $108,820, with the top 10 percent making $176,490 or more. By 2032, demand for web designers is expected to increase 16 percent, which is much faster than the national average of all occupations. More companies are expanding their online efforts, including the look and functionalities of their websites.
