Arts & Creative Careers
Arts & Creative Careers
This is a fast growing sector which is pivotal to the UK economy. Creative arts and design encompasses careers as diverse as advertising, fashion, film and graphic design
This is a fast growing sector which is pivotal to the UK economy. Creative arts and design encompasses careers as diverse as advertising, fashion, film and graphic design
Even more importantly, more than two million people work in creative industries, making it a vibrant sector with lots of opportunities for graduate careers. However, it's useful to note that while the sector is in general good health despite COVID, its growth over recent years has been driven by a boom in computer services, highlighting the importance of digital creative industries such as video gaming
Getting Started
Getting Started
Graduates entering the creative arts and design sector can expect:
- the need to demonstrate a practical creative talent or to show a passion for art, design, music or other creative pursuits
- to spend time practicing and honing their craft, particularly for actors, dancers and musicians
- to need to be independent, proactive and resilient
- a higher than average likelihood of being self-employed or freelance, or of working on short-term contracts
- the majority of work to be project-based and deadline-driven
- lower salaries, an unsteady income and a lack of job security when you first start out in the industry
- potential to earn higher amounts of money with experience
- working environments to range from offices and art/design/film/photography studios to theatres, museums and music venues
- working hours vary from regular office hours to evenings and weekends
- to have to keep up to date with industry developments
- to travel and work away from home depending on your role, for example touring or shooting on location as part of the crew
Check out this video about working as a professional Artist & Illustrator:
Jobs
Employment opportunities can be grouped into:
- advertising and marketing
- architecture
- crafts
- design
- fashion
- film, TV, video, radio and photography
- IT, software and computer services
- publishing
- museums, galleries and libraries
- music, performing and visual arts
Areas of design include:
- exhibition
- games
- graphic
- industrial
- interior
- landscape
- product
- textiles
- theatre
Working in the sector, you'll have the opportunity to pursue practical roles such as an artist, actor or interior designer, or administrative or managerial jobs such as an arts administrator or museum curator.
There is an increasing overlap with the media and information technology sectors in relation to the use of digital technology to produce and deliver creative content. This is noticeable in roles such as web design, animation and game design.
Opportunities
While the majority of companies may be small, the sector also has large well-established organisations that recruit graduates. Examples include:
- Advertising - AMV BBDO, Grey UK, Leo Burnett, McCann
- Cultural heritage - English Heritage, National Trust, National Museum Wales, Victoria and Albert Museum
- Design - Jaguar Land Rover, Harrods, AKQA, Big Active.
- Fashion - Arcadia, ASOS, Burberry, John Lewis & Partners, Marks & Spencer, Next.
- Film/TV - Ealing Studios, Endemol Shine UK, Pinewood Studios, Sony Pictures, ITV, BBC, Channel 4.
- Music - Opera North, Sony Music UK, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group.
- Publishing - Bloomsbury, HarperCollins UK, Oxford University Press, Penguin Random House.
- Video games - Rockstar North, Codemasters, Sports Interactive, Creative Assembly
Practice applying for an entry level job
So you know what you are up against, practice applying for an entry level Arts & Creative job as a Junior Videographer and see if you get an interview
Apply Now
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