| Artists
create art to communicate ideas, thoughts, or feelings. They use a
variety of methods—painting, sculpting, or illustration—and an
assortment of materials, including oils, watercolors, acrylics,
pastels, pencils, pen and ink, plaster, clay, and computers.
Artists’ works may be realistic, stylized, or abstract and may
depict objects, people, nature, or events.
Artists generally fall into one of
three categories. Art directors formulate design concepts and
presentation approaches for visual communications media. Fine
artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators create
original artwork using a variety of media and techniques. Multi-media
artists and animators create special effects, animation, or other
visual images using film, video, computers or other electronic media.
Evidence of appropriate talent and
skill, displayed in an artist’s portfolio, is an important factor
used by art directors, clients, and others in deciding whether to hire
or contract out work. The portfolio is a collection of hand-made,
computer-generated, photographic, or printed samples of the artist’s
best work. Assembling a successful portfolio requires skills usually
developed in a bachelor’s degree program or other postsecondary
training in art or visual communications. Internships also provide
excellent opportunities for artists to develop and enhance their
portfolios.
Designers are people with a desire to
create. They combine practical knowledge with artistic ability to turn
abstract ideas into formal designs for the merchandise we buy, the
clothes we wear, the publications we read, and the living and office
space we inhabit. Designers usually specialize in a particular area of
design, such as automobiles, industrial or medical equipment, or home
appliances; clothing and textiles; floral arrangements; publications,
logos, signage, or movie or TV credits; interiors of homes or office
buildings; merchandise displays; or movie, television, and theater
sets.
Many designers increasingly are using
computer-aided design (CAD) tools to create and better visualize the
final product. Computer models allow greater ease and flexibility in
exploring a greater number of design alternatives, thus reducing
design costs and cutting the time it takes to deliver a product to
market. Industrial designers use computer-aided industrial design (CAID)
tools to create designs and machine-readable instructions that
communicate with automated production tools.
Career Sources and Professional
Organizations
- AAAAdvertising
Jobs
- American
Art Therapy Association
- American
Association of Advertising Agencies
- American
Association of Museums
- American
Film Institute
- Art
& Design Jobs
- ArtCareer
Network
- Art
Daily
- Art
Deadlines List - a comprehensive list of art contests &
competitions, art scholarships & grants, juried exhibitions, art
jobs & internships, call for entries/proposals/papers, writing
& photo contests, residencies, design & architecture
competitions, auditions, casting calls, fellowships, festivals,
funding, and other opportunities (including some that take place on
the web) for artists, art educators and art students of all ages.
- Art
Job Online
- Artist
Resource
- Artist
Resource Jobs
- Arts
Employment Index
- ArtsNet
- Career
Choices in Art
- Communication
Arts Network
- Creative Focus
- Newport Beach, Los Angeles and San Diego
- Fine
Art Marketplace & Community
- the internet art database
- Graphic
Artists Guild
- Industrial
Light and Magic (George Lucas)
- Museum Employment
Resource Center
- Museums-The
Links
- National
Art Education Association
- National Museum of Women
in the Arts
- National
Press Photographers Association
-
New York Foundation for Art
- Non-Profit
Community Career Center
- Society
of Illustrators
- Visual
Artists
- VSA
Arts - An international nonprofit organization dedicated to
promoting the creative power in people with disabilities
Sample Job Titles
| Entry
Level: |
Experienced: |
| |
Advertising
Artist |
|
Architect |
| |
Art
Teacher |
|
Art
Appraiser |
| |
Assistant
Art Director |
|
Art
Therapist |
|
Desktop
Publisher |
|
Freelance
Artist |
|
Graphic
Designer |
|
Gallery
Director |
| |
Illustrator |
|
Medical
Illustrator |
|
Landscape
Architect |
|
Museum
Curator |
|
Photographer |
|
Web
Developer |
Enhancing Employability
- Participate in internships.
- Computer-related art skills.
- Creativity is crucial in all
design occupations.
- Ability to work independently.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to determine needs of
client.
- Ability to communicate ideas in
writing, visually and verbally.
- Strong ability to work under
pressure.
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