20 Creative Careers in the Arts: Job Paths for Drawing Enthusiasts

The myth that there are no career options for artists has officially been debunked. There are plenty of options for artists who want to turn their passion into a career, outside of traditional fine arts. Your unique skills as an artist can be applied in various industries and fields. With the advancements in technology and the emergence of new media platforms, there is an increased demand for creative individuals with art skills in different areas. Now is the perfect time to explore unconventional career options and gain valuable experience in diverse industries.

Jump ahead:

Illustrator

Animator

Graphic Designer

Art Instructor

Art Director

Creative Director

Tattoo Artist

Fashion Designer

Web Designer

Art Therapist

Concept Artist

Textile Designer

Architect

Toy Designer

Curator

Theme Park Designer

Set Designer

Art Dealer

Multimedia Designer

Content Creator

Careers in the Arts

Illustrator

Illustrators use their skills in drawing, painting, or digital art to visualize stories, convey messages, and share ideas in a wealth of industries. They typically engage in freelance work, producing greeting cards, posters, books, character art, games, comics, and advertisements (though in-house positions are also available). For an aspiring illustrator, it is recommended to prepare your portfolio in advance and gain proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) applications.

Animator

Animators utilize their creativity to design captivating 2D or 3D moving images using modeling programs or computer animation. These images are used in commercials, movies for special effects, music videos, and video games. Animators can work for large production companies and help to make some of the best animated films and shows. Aside from getting a degree, there are plenty of online animation classes for aspiring animators to expand their expertise. 

Graphic Designer

This is a career that is in high demand. Nearly every company needs or has a graphic designer to help them advertise their vision and create a successful brand image. It’s a perfect role for digital artists, but it requires an understanding of design theory, typography and applications. In addition to drawing tools and design programs, it's smart to install a VPN app to protect yourself. There are quite a few VPNs for Mac OS that can keep your software safe while working digitally, especially as a graphic designer.

Art Instructor

No matter whom you envision working with, toddlers, adults, or anyone in between, this profession allows you to teach art to the age group you feel most comfortable working with. At the elementary and secondary level, art teachers impart a wide array of visual art skills, while art professors in a post-secondary setting tend to specialize in specific areas of art depending on their expertise. There are also art mentors who offer insight, guidance, and industry advice to emerging artists. You can find an artist mentor to help you make some important school and career decisions to help you establish yourself as a professional artist.

Art Director

Art directors manage the vision and aesthetics of creative projects for brands and productions. They’re most often seen working for magazines, in the film industry, or in advertising. This role is great for people that have an ‘eye’ for aesthetics, trends and visual culture, and who work well with managing other creative people. Art directors work directly with photographers, illustrators and graphic designers to create the correct visual experience. 

Creative Director

Though this role seems similar to an art director, a creative director manages all areas of the creative process, including the strategy, from forming the idea to ensuring its proper execution. They oversee the art director, copywriter, and entire creative team within a company. Creative directors are responsible for the overall production of large creative projects as well as managing a team, which often includes recruiting and hiring.

Tattoo Artist

Tattooing may be the perfect job for people who love drawing, line art and working with people. If you want a creative outlet that allows for you to further develop your style while making a consistent income, you can consider becoming an apprentice at a tattoo shop. As a tattoo artist, you can use your creativity and artistic skills to create unique designs that will stay with people forever.

Fashion Designer

This career choice is perfect if your love for art matches your love for clothing and accessories. Outfit and accessory designs can be hand drawn or digitally rendered depending on the company or project. Many fashion designers are employed by apparel companies that produce clothing in large quantities, drawing inspiration from runway shows, renowned brands, and seasonal trends. Some are able to start their own micro-brands that showcase their own fashion vision. This career would also include learning about textiles, sewing, and dyeing. 

Web Designer

A web designer, often distinguished from a web developer, manages the visual appeal and user experience of a website. Their primary responsibility is to design the layout, structure, and overall look of a website, taking into consideration both aesthetic and functional aspects. Web designers use various design tools, graphics software, and coding languages to craft a seamless and engaging user experience. In addition to creativity and design skills, they often possess knowledge of HTML, CSS, and other coding languages to implement their designs effectively.

Art Therapist

Art therapists utilize their art skills and experience to assist clients in self-expression, stress relief, anxiety, addiction management, and the development of social skills. They work in various settings such as rehabilitation units, hospitals, wellness centers, schools, and research facilities. After undergoing training in psychotherapy, art therapists get to bridge together artistic expression with mental health. 

Concept Artist

Concept artists are involved in the initial phases of a project, assisting in the development of the visual style and design. A concept artist is responsible for creating the overall look and feel of a project such as a video game, sci-fi movie or animated show. They work closely with art directors and production teams to translate abstract or narrative ideas into visual designs. Concept artists often sketch and illustrate characters, environments, props and key scenes, helping to establish the visual style and mood of a project.

Textile Designer

Textile designers create repeat designs either by hand illustration or using digital software. These patterns are printed on, knitted into, or woven into fabric for various purposes like apparel, curtains, or furniture upholstery. They work independently or as part of a fabric manufacturer or apparel brand. Textile designers also research and predict trends and innovations in their field to ensure their work aligns with market demands.

Architect

This job is perfect for people that use the artistic and mathematical sides of their brain. Some of the most famous artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci were also architects, and for a lot of people, architecture is just another field of art. You will be able to design buildings while turning them into practical parts of everyday life. A lot of education goes into becoming an architect, but if it’s your passion, it’s worth it!

Toy Designer

Want to connect with your inner child? Toy designers arguably have the most exciting job, as they get to innovate and design new toys. They develop sketches, brainstorm materials, and create prototypes and oversee the production of a final product. They combine creativity with an understanding of child psychology, safety regulations, and market trends to design toys that are both engaging and age-appropriate. The goal of a toy designer is to make innovative and enjoyable toys that contribute to the growth and entertainment of children while considering factors such as educational value and safety.

Curator

Curators are professionals responsible for managing and organizing collections of artworks, artifacts, or objects in museums, galleries, or cultural institutions. They develop an idea for an exhibition and invite artists (usually through submissions, but sometimes selecting their own artists) to create an exhibition that is meaningful. Curators may also be involved in conservation efforts, documentation, and public outreach, aiming to make the collections accessible and engaging for the audience while preserving cultural and historical significance. This is a great field if you have an interest in art history or a love for contemporary art with a vision for possible exhibitions. 

Theme Park Designer

This one is definitely outside of the box, but it goes to show you how vast the industries that require artists are. If Disneyland is your go-to family getaway and you have an eye for design, you may be a theme park designer at heart! Theme park designers integrate creativity, engineering, and entertainment principles to design attractions, rides, and environments that adhere to a specific theme or narrative. They collaborate with architects, engineers, and various specialists to ensure the seamless integration of attractions, landscaping, and infrastructure.

Set Designer

Set design is a great industry to crack into for the people that enjoy the behind the scenes of large productions. They often work on stage (theatre productions), film, and television sets to create a mood and visual environment for the production to take place on. Set designers work closely with directors and other production staff to translate a script or concept into physical and visual elements, including backdrops, and props. They also collaborate with lighting and costume designers to achieve a cohesive, beautiful and immersive show!

Art Dealer

Fei Lu at the show 'Art & Travel: A Cultural Odyssey' featuring work by Enyi Lu

Art dealers are experts in the value of artwork and make money through selling artworks, representing artists to promote their work to potential buyers and advising collectors on acquisitions. Art dealers can work with auction houses, galleries, interior designers, and on a client by client basis to help find artwork that suits the clients needs. They are informed about art market trends and facilitating art transactions with expertise in negotiation and authentication. Unlike curators, art dealers do not organize exhibitions in museums and galleries, but instead are focused more on the business and investment side of art. 

Multimedia Designer

Multimedia designers work similarly to graphic designers, because they help to advertise for a company. The difference is that working across different media (rather than solely graphic design) is they key to their work. They make videos, skits, animations, video games, interactive websites, and a variety of other forms of digital work. They work with creative directors in order to brainstorm and execute projects.

Content Creator

A great outlet for creative expression is the growing industry of content creation! This is the fastest growing career niche and the best time in history to become a content creator. You can work for a brand to create content for them through social media like our instructors at Winged Canvas, who are also content creators on our YouTube channel. You can also create your own content based on an interest you have, like drawing or animation!

Well there you have it. These 20 artistic career examples are just the tip of the iceberg of creative jobs out there! Your passion for art doesn't have to limit your future career goals. There are tons of exciting opportunities for artists and art lovers alike across countless industries, so apply your skills and passion so that you can find a creative job that suits you the best!