Become A Medical Illustrator
Do you remember flipping open your science book in school and looking at those drawings of the human body? Wasn’t it uncanny how much they looked real? This is called medical illustration. Medical illustration is an art form that combines drawing, illustration, and computer graphics for scientific needs in the healthcare industry, which is the fastest growing industry in the nation right now. There is a projected job growth rate of up to 25% for medical illustrators, but to be a part of this small and competitive field, you’ll need the proper certification and education. In fact, even the Association of Medical Illustrators advises checking out art schools for medical illustration courses before applying for the job. In order to ensure your success, consider the boost art schools can provide for your future.
The best candidate for this job has specialized training in art and the biological sciences. Specifically, these artists draw illustrations of human anatomy and surgical procedures that are used in medical and scientific publications. But what’s the best benefit of this job? Medical illustrators made an annual average of over $40,000 in 2005, with some of the top illustrators reaching over $60,000. Another advantage for illustrators is they can freelance and work straight from home. So don’t give up on art or medicine—see how art school can combine your two passions into a creative and well-paid future.
Sources:
Mshealthcareers.com
BLS
Assoc. of Medical Illustrators
Become A Gallery Manager
So Charlotte from Sex and the City made us want to be glamorous gallery managers, but what does it really take to make it in this occupation? Gallery managers must be skilled in two areas: knowledge of art and the sales know-how to move merchandise. Think about it—how will you sell art if you don’t know anything about art? And there’s one place where you can find programs in art history, exhibit design, and art retail—art school. Sure, you could get a degree from a university in marketing and sales, but you would be missing the sensitivity to art that art schools provide. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports sales managers made almost $100,000 a year in 2005. Gallery managers are no exceptions!
Gallery owners must have a keen eye for unique art, exhibit display, lighting, and layout, as well as the key components of a sales manager: maintaining contact with dealers and distributors, monitoring customer satisfaction and determining sales potential. Perhaps the most important skill is the training and advising of staff. Joe Jancsurack reported in the August 2005 issue of Art Business News, “whether or not customers return to a gallery is often a matter of how they were made to feel and what they were able to learn from the staff they encountered during their initial visit.” Think you’ve got what it takes? See what art school can do for you today.
Sources:
BLS
FindArticles.com
Become A Magazine Designer
You might not be the content of the magazine, but you can still see your work on the pages as a magazine designer. From Us Weekly to Time Magazine, each of these magazines employs an art and design team to create the perfect look for each publication. At the helm is the art director, who leads his or her team of graphic designers. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports high competition in this field, stating, “[T]he number of qualified workers exceeds the number of available openings because the arts attract many talented people with creative ability.” That means an art or design degree is necessary to make sure you’re best poised for success. According to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, 250 institutions, many of them art schools, exist with programs for the art of magazine design.
The art director presents information in a way that is both visually stimulating and fits with the content and style of the publication. The design team works on artwork, layout design, and copywriting. It is necessary for all members of the design unit to understand computer graphics and design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, all of which can be learned in art school. And listen to this: BLS reports that designers made an annual average of $40,000 a year in 2005, while art directors make an average of $70,000. Job success after art school never sounded so promising!
Sources:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design nasad.arts-accredit.org/index.jsp
BLS www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm & www.bls.gov/oco/ocos092.htm & www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
Become A Letterer
Attention to those who are drawn to the written and printed art—this is a call to letterers, more commonly known as printers. The printing industry is in need of letterers to set type for newspapers, magazines, books, and brochures. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the print industry is a large one, but made up mostly of small companies. 7 out of 10 companies often employ fewer than 10 letterers at a time. That means you’ve got competition. A secondary education will enhance your chances for getting a good shot at the job. It’s a good thing art schools offer accredited programs for lettering in which you can earn a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree. There are currently 9 art schools nationwide that offer art education in lettering.
A letterer, or one who creates symbols or character either by hand or computer, is essential to the industry of print production. The art of print production includes lithography, flexography, gravure, screen printing, and letterpress. Jobs in flexography and digital printing are aimed to have the highest growth rate because of the economy’s continued reliance on computer-based technology. BLS reports the average weekly earnings for production workers in the printing industry were $604 in 2004. That’s an average of over $30,000 a year! Now let’s put that artistic energy to use. Search your local art schools for help in advancing your chances for success in this exciting job opportunity.
Sources:
Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lettering
BLS http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs050.htm
ArtSchool.com http://www.artschool.com
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lettering
Become An Interior Designer
Are you that person who every time a friend or family member moves, you’re standing among the unpacked boxes, giving your two cents about the design of each room? Why not put that creative energy to real financial gain? Interior design is a well-respected art form that is gaining strength in today’s economy. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports jobs for interior design are growing due to higher homeowner wealth and the expansion of private businesses. BLS also reports designers without the proper degree will have a harder time breaking into the business. Don’t fret! These days, quite a few art schools offer degrees in Interior Design. Currently, there are over 75 art schools that offer interior design programs, and these well-regarded and intensive programs will give you the competitive edge college art departments can’t.
Specifically, interior designers are responsible for selecting a color and style palette for an interior, as well as choosing the appropriate furniture, lightening, and textures that best accentuate the space and meet the needs of the building occupants. BLS reports annual average earnings for interior designers were over $40,000 in May 2005, with the highest 10 percent of those earning more than $70,000. 3 out of 10 interiors designers also go on to become self employed, so don’t let your knowledge of this art go to waste. Take advantage of this increased interest in interior design by researching art schools today.
Sources:
BLS http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm & http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos293.htm
ArtSchool.com http://www.artschool.com
