Careers: graphic designer, interior designer, photographer, animator, and art director. Majors: Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fine Arts and Studio Art, Fashion Design and Merchandising, and Digital Media and Film Production.
College majors for arts and design
Graphic Design
Teaches you to communicate visually through layout, typography, images and digital media.
Interior Design
Designs functional, safe and attractive interior spaces.
Fine Arts and Studio Art
Develops your skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and other art forms.
Fashion Design and Merchandising
Studies how clothing and accessories are designed, made and sold.
Digital Media and Film Production
Teaches you to create video, audio, animation and interactive media.
Web Design and Development
Teaches you to design and build websites and web applications.
Architecture
Designs buildings and spaces that are useful, safe and beautiful.
Music
Studies music performance, theory, history, composition and production.
Careers in arts and design
Graphic Designer
Create logos, layouts and visuals that communicate ideas and build brands.
- Typical training: 4 years or portfolio-based training
Interior Designer
Design interior spaces that are functional, safe and beautiful.
- Typical training: 4 years
Photographer
Capture images for clients, events, products and stories.
- Typical training: 6 months–2 years
Animator
Bring characters, worlds and effects to life for film, games and media.
- Typical training: 4 years plus reel
Art Director
Lead the visual style of ads, publications, products and productions.
- Typical training: 4 years plus 5+ years of experience
Fashion Designer
Design clothing, shoes and accessories from sketch to store.
- Typical training: 4 years
UX/UI Designer
Design apps and websites that are easy, useful and enjoyable to use.
- Typical training: 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio
Public Relations Specialist
Shape and protect the public image of organizations and people.
- Typical training: 4 years
Producer and Director
Bring films, shows, plays and videos to life from idea to final cut.
- Typical training: Years of production experience
Skills these careers use
- Writing
- Storytelling
- Typography
- Layout and composition
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Branding
Minors that fit this interest
- Graphic Design: Adds visual design, layout and design software skills.
- Web Development: Adds the skills to build websites with HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Start building skills now
A self-paced online course on what graphic designers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: typography, layout and composition, and adobe Creative Cloud
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Arts and Design
A self-paced online course on what interior designers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: space planning, autoCAD and Revit, and 3D rendering
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Arts and Design
A self-paced online course on what photographers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: camera operation, lighting, and composition
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Arts and Design
A self-paced online course on what animators do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: 3D animation, modeling and rigging, and visual effects
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Arts and Design
Arts and Design: frequently asked questions
What careers are there in arts and design?
Careers connected to arts and design include graphic designer, interior designer, photographer, animator, art director, fashion designer, UX/UI designer, and public relations specialist.
What should I major in if I am interested in arts and design?
Majors connected to arts and design include Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fine Arts and Studio Art, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Digital Media and Film Production, and Web Design and Development. Compare what each includes, the skills it builds and where it leads.
What arts and design careers do not require a four-year degree?
Examples include photographer, audio and video technician, florist, jeweler, court reporter, and costume attendant. They typically start with a high school diploma, a certificate, an associate degree, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Which arts and design careers usually require a bachelor’s degree or more?
Examples include graphic designer, interior designer, animator, art director, fashion designer, and UX/UI designer. Some also need a license or certification.
What skills do you need for a career in arts and design?
Skills that come up often in these careers include writing, storytelling, typography, layout and composition, adobe Creative Cloud, and branding, along with communication and problem solving.
What minors fit an interest in arts and design?
Minors connected to arts and design include Graphic Design and Web Development.
How do I start a career in arts and design?
Learn about the careers in the field, choose one or two that fit you, check the education or training each requires, and build practical knowledge early through classes, part-time work, volunteering or short career training.
Can I explore arts and design careers before choosing a college major?
Yes. Career profiles, job shadowing and short online career training let you learn what jobs in arts and design involve before you commit to a major or program.
Does Career Education Institute offer training related to arts and design?
Yes. Related online trainings include Graphic Designer Training, Interior Designer Training, Photographer Training, and Animator Training. They are general, non-credit courses that teach what a job involves; they do not grant a degree or license.
Which colleges offer programs related to arts and design?
Use the college search to find U.S. colleges that report awarding degrees in related majors, filtered by state, city, ZIP code, online programs and type of school.