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Design

Occupational Possibilities

Training in the field of design provides skills applicable to a variety of career paths. Many design majors continue to graduate school, but other careers are available to holders of undergraduate degrees. Some occupations, such as teacher, may require additional training or special talents or skills. In general, further graduate study is required for the occupations marked with a *.

Technical

  • *Conservator/restorer
  • Fine arts handler
  • Exhibition specialist
  • Appraiser
  • Arts consultant
  • Design consultant
  • *Historical preservation coordinator






Business and Industry

  • Industrial designer
  • Fashion designer
  • Interior designer
  • Executive search consultant
  • Gallery operator
  • Consumer goods salesperson
  • Marketing manager
  • Marketing consultant
  • Computer programmer
  • Media consultant
  • Commercial artist
  • *Architect
  • *Mechanical/civil engineer
  • Jewelry designer/metalsmith

Education and Communications

  • Teacher
  • *Professor
  • *Librarian
  • *Curator
  • Grants specialist
  • Arts critic
  • *Graphic artist/layout editor
  • Photographer
  • Exhibit designer
  • Information specialist
  • Arts programmer (TV/radio)
  • Arts writer/reporter
  • Book/journal editor
  • Film maker
  • Theatre designer

Human Services and Management

  • *Arts therapist
  • City cultural events planner
  • *Museum director
  • *Archivist
  • Arts council director
  • Preservation agency officer
  • Community arts center director







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Skills and Abilities

A major in design is valuable to those wishing to pursue careers as professional designers, obviously. Many skills are learned which may be applicable to a wide range of other occupational groups as well. Working independently, for example, is valuable to an architect, a teacher, and a designer on a daily basis. Representative skills developed in a design major are listed below.

Technical

  • Gauging public tastes
  • Developing manual flexibility and dexterity
  • Assessing an audience
  • Project planning
  • Writing grant proposals
  • Developing fine visual discrimination skills
  • Examining critically
  • Demonstrating creativity and artistic expression

Visual and Data Analysis

  • Considering historical perspectives
  • Defining quality
  • Recognizing cultural differences/similarities
  • Thinking critically
  • Weighing values
  • Recognizing the school/period/designer of a work
  • Comparing interpretations
  • Analzying the artistic qualities of everyday objects

Problem Solving

  • Defining problem areas
  • Taking multiple approaches to problems
  • Examining components
  • Using other symbol systems
  • Attending to details
  • Perceiving patterns/structures
  • Utilizing available resources
  • Working independently

Interpersonal Relations

  • Working with community groups
  • Recognizing cultural similarities/differences
  • Describing impressions about art
  • Observing human interactions
  • Working within organizations


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Career Planning and Resources

Internships

Job Search

Professional Associations

Art Education

Textile Design

Jewelry Design

Industrial and Graphic Design

Illustration

Ceramics

Photography

For More Information

...about careers, graduate and professional schools, internships, professional associations, or job descriptions contact:

University Career Center
110 Burge Union
(785) 864-3624

For information about majors and concentrations in design:

Design Department
300 Art & Design Building
(785) 864-4401

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