Different Jobs in the Art Field
You may have to apply to many positions before you get a job, but there are positions for artists available. Many artists work as freelancers or at part-time positions, and may or may not hold an additional full-time position. However, there are full-time positions available. Most artists are expected to work with computers and to have experience with certain design programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver.
Other People Are Reading
-
Advertising
-
Advertising art is also referred to as visual communications, and those working in these positions may be referred to as graphic artists. Jobs usually consist of designing product packaging and marketing materials such as brochures. You may like this type of job if you can come up with ideas quickly and are willing to work long hours to meet deadlines. Most positions are available in large cities like New York City and Los Angeles, but you can also find some positions in smaller cities. Salaries for advertising positions in 2008 started lower than $26,000 for graphic artists in advertising, but could go well over $100,000 for art and creative directors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Animation/Cartooning and Special Effects
-
Animators, cartoonists and special effects artists create movies, animated advertisements and animations for websites. Special effects artists may also be responsible for creating props for movie sets. There are also a few cartoonists that create comic strips for newspapers, but the Incredible Art Department claims these positions are rare as many newspapers are closing. Most positions are found in Florida, California and New York City. The BLS found that median pay in 2008 was $56,330 for animators and related artists, but pay can depend on your exact position within the company and how much work the company has.
-
Desktop Publishing and Web Design
-
Many desktop publishers and web designers work as freelancers, so income can depend on the number of jobs the artist receives. The BLS found that most desktop publishers made between $28,140 and $47,870 in 2008. Desktop publishers can also work as web designers, as well as creating items such as business cards and letterheads for businesses.
Illustration
-
Illustrators have a wide variety of possible employers, from publishers to advertising agencies. Some illustrators can specialize in certain fields, such as medical illustration which provides drawings and diagrams for medical books. Specialization can require education specific to the field in order to get a position. Many illustrators are freelance, so income can vary depending on jobs, but the BLS found that the median income for illustrators in 2008 was $42,650.
Video Game Design
-
The video game field is highly competitive, according to the Incredible Art Department, and you need to be well-qualified to get a position with a gaming company. The term "video game designer" covers artists who create the characters, the background and the textures of items in the game. Salaries can range based on the position, company location and size of the company, with the BLS stating that the median salary in computer systems design positions being $47,860 in 2008.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Ciaran Griffin/Lifesize/Getty Images
