Artists held about 147,000 jobs in 2000. More than half were self-employed. Of the artists who were not self-employed, many worked in motion picture, television, computer software, printing, publishing, and public relations firms. Some self-employed artists offer their services to advertising agencies, design firms, publishing houses, and other businesses.
Other workers who apply art skills include architects, except landscape and naval; archivists, curators, and museum technicians; designers; landscape architects; and photographers. Some computer-related occupations require art skills, including computer software engineers and desktop publishers.
Employment of artists and related workers is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Because the arts attract many talented people with creative ability, the number of aspiring artists continues to grow. Consequently, competition for both salaried jobs and freelance work in some areas is expected to be keen.
Art directors work in a variety of industries, such as printing, publishing, motion picture production and distribution, and design. Despite an expanding number of opportunities, they should experience keen competition for the available openings.
Fine artists mostly work on a freelance, or commission, basis and may find it difficult to earn a living solely by selling their artwork. Only the most successful fine artists receive major commissions for their work. Competition among artists for the privilege of being shown in galleries is expected to remain acute. And grants from sponsors such as private foundations, State and local arts councils, and the National Endowment for the Arts, should remain competitive. Nonetheless, studios, galleries, and individual clients are always on the lookout for artists who display outstanding talent, creativity, and style. Population growth, rising incomes, and growth in the number of people who appreciate the fine arts will contribute to the demand for fine artists. Talented fine artists who have developed a mastery of artistic techniques and skills, including computer skills, will have the best job prospects.
The need for artists to illustrate and animate materials for magazines, journals, and other printed or electronic media will spur demand for illustrators and animators of all types. Growth in the entertainment industry, including cable and other pay television broadcasting and motion picture production and distribution, will provide new job opportunities for illustrators, cartoonists, and animators. Competition for most jobs, however, will be strong, because job opportunities are relatively few and the number of people interested in these positions usually exceeds the number of available openings. Employers should be able to choose from among the most qualified candidates.
Designers held about 492,000 jobs in 2000. About one-third were self-employed. Employment was distributed as follows:
Graphic designers - 190,000
Floral designers - 102,000
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers - 76,000
Commercial and industrial designers - 50,000
Interior designers - 46,000
Fashion designers - 16,000
Set and exhibit designers - 12,000
Designers work in a number of different industries, depending on their design specialty. Most industrial designers, for example, work for engineering or architectural consulting firms or for large corporations. Most salaried interior designers work for furniture and home furnishings stores, interior designing services, and architectural firms. Others are self-employed and do freelance work - full time or part time - in addition to a salaried job in another occupation.
Workers in other occupations who design or arrange objects, materials, or interiors to enhance their appearance and function include artists and related workers; architects, except landscape and naval; engineers, landscape architects, and photographers. Some computer-related occupations require design skills, including computer software engineers and desktop publishers.
Set and exhibit designers work for theater companies; film and television production companies; and museums, art galleries, and convention and conference centers. Fashion designers generally work for textile, apparel, and pattern manufacturers; wholesale distributors of clothing, furnishings, and accessories; or for fashion salons, high-fashion department stores, and specialty shops. Most floral designers work for retail flower shops or in floral departments located inside grocery and department stores.
Despite projected faster-than-average employment growth, designers in most fields, with the exception of floral design, are expected to face keen competition for available positions. Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as designers. Individuals with little or no formal education in design, as well as those who lack creativity and perseverance, will find it very difficult to establish and maintain a career in design. Floral design should be the least competitive of all design fields because of the relatively low pay and limited opportunities for advancement, as well as the relatively high job turnover of floral designers in retail flower shops.
Overall, the employment of designers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. In addition to those that result from employment growth, many job openings will arise from the need to replace designers who leave the field. Increased demand for industrial designers will stem from the continued emphasis on product quality and safety; the demand for new products that are easy and comfortable to use; the development of high-technology products in medicine, transportation, and other fields; and growing global competition among businesses. Demand for graphic designers should increase because of the rapidly increasing demand for Web-based graphics and the expansion of the video entertainment market, including television, movies, videotape, and made-for-Internet outlets. Rising demand for professional design of private homes, offices, restaurants and other retail establishments, and institutions that care for the rapidly growing elderly population should spur employment growth of interior designers. Demand for fashion designers should remain strong, because many consumers continue to demand new fashions and apparel styles.
