What is design?
Different people have different definitions of the term design. Some may perceive the word design as the way something appears, while others might think of it as creating something attractive. Design is the process of organizing information as effectively as possible.
Every element in a design has a significant impact on its creation, from the typeface and color palette to the simplicity and the message that is to be conveyed. A good design strengthens the message, while a bad weakens it. The best design transcends its medium, communicating the message so well that it becomes invisible.
Creative careers in the design field
1. Graphic designer
Graphic designers create designs for marketing collateral, product illustrations, brand identities, and websites using computer software like the Adobe Creative Suite. They combine technical skill with artistic understanding to create a design that meets their client’s needs. Graphic designers may work independently as freelancers or contractors, in an in-house setting or an agency setting for a company.
Skills for graphic designers:
• Adobe®Creative Suite
• Typesetting
• Social media
• Website design
• Packaging
2. User experience (UX) designer
UX designers design websites, mobile applications, software, or video games that are user-friendly for users to interact with. They study and assess how people feel about a particular system and design their product to meet the needs of the user. They also consider and evaluate specific components of the system such as usefulness, value, credibility, and accessibility.
Skills in demand:
• UX wireframes
• Prototyping
• Visual design
• User research
• Adobe Creative Suite
An entry-level UX Designer with less than 1-year experience can expect to earn an average salary of $63,209. A mid-career UX Designer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average salary of $84,411. An experienced UX Designer with 10-19 years of experience earns an average t salary of $95,934. In their late-career, employees earn an average salary of $97,799.
3. Photographer
Photographers use their creativity and composition skills along with their technical expertise to capture photographs that tell a story or document an event. Most of today’s photographers work with digital cameras and editing software to capture quality images. Some travel to different locations to shoot an event or scenes, while others set up their own studios for portraits, commercial shoots, or artistic work.
Skills in demand:
• Digital photography
• Customer service
• Product sales
• Adobe Photoshop
• Social media
An entry-level Photographer with less than 1-year experience can expect to earn an average salary of $13.73. An early career Photographer with 1-4 years of experience earns an average salary of $15.52. A mid-career Photographer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average salary of $19.40. An experienced Photographer with 10-19 years of experience earns an average salary of $20.11.
4. Interior designer
Interior designers work on interior areas to improve the safety, functionality, and creative appeal of the area. They are responsible for selecting color schemes, furniture, materials, decor, and finishes of a room or building while maintaining the budget. Interior designers also sketch their ideas or use design software to design and present their plans to the architects, structural engineers, and builders who bring their designs to life.
Skills in demand:
• Customer service
• Customer contact
• Computer-Aided Drafting/Design (CAD) software
• Sales
• Purchasing
An entry-level Interior Designer with less than 1-year experience can expect to earn an average salary of $40,474. An early career Interior Designer with 1-4 years of experience earns an average salary of $47,595. A mid-career Interior Designer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average salary of $55,445. An experienced Interior Designer with 10-19 years of experience earns an average salary of $60,175. In their late-career, employees earn an average salary of $59,917.
5. Multimedia artist & animator
These professionals create 2D and 3D animations and special visual effects for movies, television, video games, etc. They work with teams of animators and artists to bring ideas to life using computer software or by writing their own computer code. Some work in studios or offices, but many are self-employed and work from home.
Skills in demand:
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Graphic design
• Motion graphics
• Maya
• UX Wireframes
An entry-level Multi-Media Artist or Animator with less than 1-year experience can expect to earn an average salary of $50,752. An early career Multi-Media Artist or Animator with 1-4 years of experience earns an average salary of $52,882. A mid-career Multi-Media Artist or Animator with 5-9 years of experience earns an average salary of $57,200. An experienced Multi-Media Artist or Animator with 10-19 years of experience earns an average salary of $64,632. In their late-career, employees earn an average salary of $71,267.
6. Art director
Art directors work in a variety of areas such as magazines, newspapers, internet-based publications, and advertising or public relations agencies. They communicate with clients while keeping a watch over project budgets and schedules. They manage a team of design professionals, reviewing and confirming all creative materials before presenting them to clients.
Skills in demand:
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Graphic design
• Budgeting
• Creative direction
• Project management
7. Fashion designer
Professionals in this field design new clothing and accessories by sketching them on paper or digital devices and then determine the colors, materials, and textures of the final product. Fashion designers study fashion trends by reviewing magazines and attending fashion shows. They then present sample garments to sales representatives and agents in hopes of selling their own collections.
Skills in demand:
• Sales
• Customer contact
• Product design and development
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Sketching
An entry-level Fashion Designer with less than 1-year experience can expect to earn an average salary of $45,677. An early career Fashion Designer with 1-4 years of experience earns an average salary of $56,572. A mid-career Fashion Designer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average salary of $68,333. An experienced Fashion Designer with 10-19 years of experience earns an average salary of $82,727. In their late-career, employees earn an average salary of $90,986.
8. Film & video editor
Film and video editors use technical software to create promotional or artistic video projects from scenes shot by camera operators. They work with directors and producers to determine which material is more likely to capture the interests of their audience and merge the scenes. The editing process involves trimming footage down into segments, marking frames for audio, and organizing raw footage into a smooth and polished final product.
Skills in demand:
• Video editing
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Social media
• Video production
• Music
