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Art and Design
Careers
With my interest in art and design, what kind of job could I do?
Here are just a few ideas:- Animator
- Art Conservator
- Cosmetics Chemist
- Fashion Designer
- Industrial Designer
- Scientific Illustrator
- Set Designer
- Urban Planner
Animator
What's an Animator?
You've seen a few cartoons in your lifetime, right? And you've also probably seen online stuff like Encarta, so you know these things blend graphics, animation, video and writing. There are writers for the script, actors for "voice overs". And of course, there are the people who create the pictures. Simulations are another kind of animation.
That's where you come in. You'll not only take the ideas people have and put them into pictures, but if you do computer animation, you may have to program or even stand in as voice talent! Animators can earn between $43,980 and $59,000.
Things to Do
- Draw! If you aren't driving your friends and family crazy with all your sketches, you aren't drawing enough.
- Learn more about different techniques in animation.
- Try to draw a cartoon.
- Learn about the animation process at Pixar.
People
Jon Knowles is a director at Games Group of Lucasfilm, the company founded by George Lucas (the director of Star Wars) in 1982.
Kris Peterson is an animator at Raven Games.
Classes to Take
In addition to the courses you take now, think about taking these classes in high school:
- Lots of computer courses.
- As many art courses as you can; if there's a course on film, try to take it.
- Take a dance class, go to the zoo and watch animals as they interact with one another or with people, or volunteer to read to kids at your local library. The more you know about storytelling and the way things move, the better your animation will be.
What Are You Like?
- Are you creative?
- Do you like to draw?
- Do you like computers?
- Do you communicate well with people?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be a successful animator!
Art Conservator
What's an Art Conservator?
Art is continually exposed to hazards--from the environment and from improper handling and storage. An art conservator examines how to minimize these risks. Conservators also preserve works of art, artifacts (like dinosaur bones), and specimens, keeping detailed records about them.
What's an Art Conservator Do?
As an art conservator, you might use X-rays, chemical testing, microscopes, special lights, and other laboratory equipment, and techniques to examine objects. You document your findings, then treat the objects to minimize their wear and tear or to restore them to their original state.
As a conservator, you can decide to work on particular materials or groups of objects, like old maps or books, paintings, decorative arts, textiles, and even metals. Art conservators earn between $35,000 and $250,000.
Things to Do
- See a painting get restored at the Upper Midwest Conservation Association.
- There's more to a painting than just your first impression. Click here to read about it.
- Take a tour of the Conservator's Studio at the Seattle Art Museum.
- Volunteer at a local museum
- Try some art online.
- There is math in art! Click here to see!
If you're really interested, see some of the issues a professional conservator considers by visiting the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works web site.
People
Olga Nikolic-Litwin was born in Croatia and remembers bringing home a frozen bird as her first experience at conservation and restoration.
Rebecca Pavit who restores documents and textiles.
Karel Kaio and Anne Harmssen live and work in New Zealand. Read about them here.
Classes to Take
In addition to the classes you take now, think about taking these when you get to high school:
- Drawing, painting, ceramics and other art classes
- Art or world history course
- Chemistry and Physics
- Writing
- Engineering courses, such as electronics and structural technology
Think Art Conservator Might be a Job for you?
- Are you creative?
- Do you like to draw?
- Do you like computers?
- Do you communicate well with people?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be a successful art conservator!
Cosmetics Chemist
What's a Cosmetic Chemist?
What are cosmetics made of? Where did they come up with that shade or that scent? How did brazil nut oil and jojoba end up in your shampoo and conditioner? What keeps face cream from becoming "toxic" in the jar?
As a cosmetic chemist, you find the answers to these kinds of questions. A cosmetic chemist spends a lot of time in the lab, trying new things, mixing, researching, testing, and concocting the exact formulas to make the products we buy useful, safe, and appealing.
Many cosmetic chemists work for companies that make famous brands, like L'Oreal or Gillette. Some are in smaller companies. Others work on their own as inventors.
As with most careers, the amount of education and experience you have will affect how much you’ll earn. A chemist with 4 years of college typically earns $33,000 a year; with 5 years or more you can earn between $55,000 and $68,000.
Things to do
- Most cosmetics are safe if you use them correctly. But there are some things to be careful about. How much do you know about cosmetics? Take this quiz and find out.
- Look here to find out what lipstick really is. scroll down the page to learn how to make your own Vitamin E lip balm.
- And read about what happens when you color your hair.
People
Mort Westman started his career 35 years ago as a hands-on cosmetic chemist working in a lab, and now he is the president of his own company.
Learn more about what it takes to be a cosmetic chemist.
Classes to Take
In addition to the courses you take now, think about taking these classes in high school:- Chemistry
- Biology
- Math
- Algebra
- English
- Health
What are you like?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be a successful cosmetic chemist.
Fashion Designer
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What's a Fashion Designer?
You like to sketch and have an interest in clothes, but if you think that's all a career in fashion design is about, think again. Those things are important, but fashion design involves all kinds of things. How do you manufacture a lot of clothes at once? What fabric should you use? What about dyeing and printing material? For this job, you need technical knowledge and creative talent.
What does a Fashion Designer Do?
As a fashion designer, you give new shape to garments, footwear, jewelry, and other accessories to make strong personality statements. If your interest is in making clothing, you might create one-of-a-kind pieces or retail your creations. You can specialize in leisurewear, women's wear, knitwear, sportswear, any wear!
A fashion designer with two to five years' experience can make $30,000 on up. Of course, famous designers with their own clothing lines earn millions.
Things to Do
- Read more about getting into this career at Faze Magazine.
- Explore clothing design through the ages at the Costume Museum of Canada.
- Pay an online visit to the Museum of Costume, the Museum for Textiles.
Who does Fashion Design?
Tracy Reese. Her designs are featured in all of the big fashion magazines.
B Michael, a New York designer whose clothes are worn around the world.
Classes to Take
In addition to the courses you take now, think about taking these classes when you get to high school:- Lots of computer courses
- As many art courses as you can
- Math
- Science, for example, chemistry
- Business courses, such as business communications
What Are You Like?
- Do you like to draw? You'll use sketches to outline basic ideas and select fabrics.
- Do you have an eye for detail, a sense of color, shade, texture?
- Do you like talking with people? During manufacturing, you'll work with production staff and clients to make sure your creation can actually be made. Expect to travel a lot during fabric selection and fashion shows, to talk with many people and convince them that your designs are the best.
What Are You Like?
- Can you use your imagination to visualize how something will look? You'll need to think of new designs two or more seasons ahead.
- Do you like to do some of your work on computers? Often designs are worked out with the help of computer-aided design programs.
- Can you stay calm when everyone else is in panic mode? This job can be high pressure, especially when there are fashion shows.
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills needed to be a successful fashion designer.
Industrial Designer
What's an Industrial Designer?
Cell phones, tennis shoes, even toasters have a person behind them, at least when it comes to their design. An industrial designer uses principals of art, psychology, and technology to create products that are convenient, cheap, and easy to use. There are all kinds of designers from those who design shoes to those who design golf courses.
The average salary for an industrial designer in the US is about $44,000.
Things to Do
- Visit Slam Dunk Science and learn about how athletic shoes are made.
- Read more about the profession at the Industrial Designers Society of America web site.
- Check out your local library and read about the shoe industry in the Sneaker Book.
- Get some practice! Redesign a pair of scissors to make a more perfect product.
- Design, build and program a robot that is capable of peforming underwater missions.
Who does Industrial Design?
Meet Stephanie Michaud. An athlete herself (she competed in the 1999 Nike Women's Triathlon in Vancouver, Washington), Ms. Michaud has a master's degree in science. She concentrated on learning about the human body, studying prosthesis and orthotics.
See some student work at the Industrial Design Society of America web site, where you can see an "unbathroom," a special backpack, and reusable garbage bags.
Classes to Take
In addition to the courses you take now, consider these kinds of classes in high school:
- As much math as possible: pre-algebra, algebra and any accelerated courses your high school offers, such as trigonometry, pre-calculus and calculus.
- Carpentry, automotive, or electrical courses.
- Art, especially courses featuring 3-D modeling and graphic design.
- Computer-aided design (CAD). If your school doesn't offer any classes, look to your community center or your town's continuing education programs.
What Are You Like?
- Can you see the whole picture?
- Are you creative?
- Do you enjoy writing and speaking with people?
- Can you convey a concept in a quick sketch?
- Do you have mechanical abilities and a basic understanding or curiosity about how things work?
- Do you enjoy working with computers, especially 3-D programs?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be a successful industrial designer!
Scientific Illustrator
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What's a Scientific Illustrator?
Medical and scientific illustrators combine drawing skills with their knowledge of biology or other sciences to draw accurate pictures of all things science. For example, a medical illustrator draws parts of the body or surgical procedures, while a scientific illustrator may draw animal and plant life, atomic and molecular structures, or geologic and planetary formations. Scientific illustrators earn between $26,000 and $40,000.
What's a Scientific Illustrator Do?
As a scientific or medical illustrator, your work will appear in medical and scientific publications and in audiovisual presentations for teaching purposes. You might also work for a lawyer to create exhibits for court cases.
Things to Do
- Try drawing a horse following these instructions.
- Check the Association of Medical Illustrators web site.
- Another kind of illustration involves drawing someone you've never seen. Find out how it works at The Art of Crime Detection.
Who does Scientific Illustration?
David Gifford, a scientific illustrator whose drawings are in the Science Photo Library.
Katherine Zecca is a scientific illustrator, artist and author.
Karen Carr's illustrations convey scientific information for museums, zoos, scientists and magazines.
Classes to Take
In addition to the courses you take now, think about taking these classes when you get to high school:
- English
- Math (including algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra)
- Science, (including biology, chemistry, and physics)
- Social studies (including U.S. history and U.S. government)
- Foreign languages
Classes to Take
- Art - Take as many art classes as you can. Be sure to pick the ones where you can draw from life and learn how to use different artistic materials.
- Keep in mind that you'll eventually want to put together a portfolio. Draw from reality (your friend, a house plant, the chair in your room, etc.) and draw realistically. Pick about 10 to 15 pieces to be in your final portfolio.
Think Scientific Illustrator Might be a Job for You?
- Do you like to draw?
- Do you have an eye for detail?
- Do you enjoy working with all types of art materials?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be a successful scientific illustrator.
Set Designer
What is a Set Designer
Ever wonder who sets the background for the Oscars? How a play gets set up or even the background for a movie shot on location? It's the job of a set designer. This is the person who oversees the construction and decoration of sets. Designers frequently rent props and look through catalogs or visit warehouses where props are stored. Sometimes designers draw pictures of props may even build them. Once the sets are built, designers arrange the placement of items. They may also suggest the best place to shoot scenes outside or how to alter the natural environment to make sure the set meets their clients' requirements.
Things to Do
- Experience sculpting, woodworking, or sketching.
- Volunteer at museums or theaters.
- Design stage sets for your school drama club or local theater company.
- Try creating a masterpiece a Picassco masterpiece with Mr. Picassohead.
Who is a Set Designer?
Read about what set designers do.
Roy Christopher, set designer for the Oscars.
Coburn Bennett, who does a slightly different kind of set design. He works WGBH TV in Boston.
Classes to Take
In addition to the courses you take now, think about taking these classes when you get to high school:
- Math
- Art
- Computer, especially Computer-Aided Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- English
- Woodworking or carpentry
What Are You Like?
- Do you ask questions and listen to the answers?
- Express your ideas clearly when you write or speak?
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly?
- Enjoy art and design
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills needed to be a successful set designer.
Urban Planner
What's an Urban Planner?
For starters, an urban planner tries to make life better for people, creating environments that are functional, healthy, and comfortable. Government agencies (like your city or town) often employ planners. So do architectural and engineering firms, and even real-estate developers.
To do this job, you want to think about the best way a community can use its land and resources. Whether it's designing a beautiful city park, curbing congestion, or combating pollution, you have to find creative solutions to complicated problems. Urban planners earn about $50,000 a year.
Things to Do
- Try a "visioning" exercise.
- Name your own city.
- Visit different neighborhoods in your town and write down some ways in which they're similar and different.
- Try redesigning your bedroom into a great place to work, play and sleep.
- Visit the Center for Understanding the Built Environment (CUBE), an organization that encourages working together to create healthy, quality living spaces.
More Things to Do
- Click around the Virtual Museum of Architecture Web site to see what architect Stephen Lauf has done to combine architecture with computer aided design (CAD).
- See Waltopia, Walt Disney's original plans for the perfect city. Later, these were used to build Disney World and Epcot.
- See how math relates to buildings and planning by visiting the "New Angles in Art" online exhibit at the National Gallery of Art.
People
Meet these urban planners, some of whom are members of AICP (that is, they are members of the American Institute for Certified Planners).
Classes to Take
In addition to the classes you take now, think about taking these when you get to high school:
- Computer courses, especially computer-aided design (CAD)
- Art
- As much math as you can
What Are You Like?
- Are you creative?
- Able to see the big picture?
- Are you a good communicator in writing and in talking so you can convey your ideas to others (and perhaps even convince them you're right)?
- Do you enjoy math?
- Do you like working with computers?
If you answered yes to these questions, you have many of the skills to be a successful urban planner!
Updated: December 5, 2008