Art and Design and Fashion
If you have a degree in a creative subject then the good news is that, while the recession has had an impact on all industries, the art, fashion and design sectors are still fairly agile.
Employment in the creative arts, for example, has steadily increased in the last few years and design graduates are particularly in demand. Art, design or fashion graduates are often expected to complete some form of internship or voluntary work before securing a permanent role. But once established, employees in the sector enjoy a high level of job satisfaction and independence.
Fashion graduates may choose fashion jobs in one of three main areas: high fashion, designer ready-to-wear or high-street, and will focus on a specific type of design such as menswear, accessories or sportswear. Most fashion designers start out as design assistants and work their way up as they gain experience but entry into the industry is very competitive so it's vital to gain as much experience as possible through work placements and internships. When interviewing for a role, graduates should take along their portfolio, including a look-book, technical drawings, mood boards and completed garments.
Art graduates go into a variety of occupations but those who choose to become fine artists find work through commissions from individuals or organisations and sell their works through art exhibits, art galleries and agencies. The Association of Illustrators (AOI) and The Society of Artists Agents website are both useful resources for agents' listings. If you are an artist in London, the
Artquest website is also a good source of information.
If you have a qualification in graphic design it's likely you'll find work in advertising, print and web publishing or television. It's important to develop a portfolio of your work to show prospective employers. If you are just starting out, doing voluntary work will help develop your portfolio and build contacts.
After building experience, there are opportunities for art, design and fashion graduates to work on a freelance or self-employed basis such as in interior design, pitching ideas and products to buyers and receiving commissions.
A career in art, design or fashion can be very rewarding, though you have to be willing to put in alot of hard graft and often work long hours to tight deadlines.
There is potential to earn a considerable amount of money in the art, fashion and design industries, especially if your work earns recognition or becomes sought after.
But the reality is that many in the creative industries earn less than £20,000 per annum and part-time, short-term or freelance work is common. Salaries are very varied depending on the type of job you do.
If you work as an artist or art museum curator, for example, the average salary is £30,000 while fashion buyers and stylists only earn between £12,000 - £16,000 per year.
Most employers will require you to have a degree in the subject area and in some cases a postgraduate degree in a specialist subject will be useful. A knitwear or accessories designer, for example, will often need a Postgraduate or Masters qualification specifically in knitwear or accessory design.
To work in the art, design or fashion industries you need to be brimming with ideas and have excellent communication skills. You'll also need to be tenacious as there's often alot of competition for job, and it’s important to develop your practical business and networking skills as you’ll need these to sell your work and ideas.
