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Thinking about an education or career in design? Browse our guide to help you decide which specialty(ies) you are most interested in pursuing. Each specialty has a general description, education and career perspectives. |
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- 3D Design | Advertising
| Apparel Design
| Architecture |
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) |
Computer Art/Design
| Design | Desktop
Publishing | Environmental
Design | Exhibit Design
| Fashion Design
| Floral Design |
Footwear Design |
Furniture Design |
Game Design | Graphic
Design | Illustration
| Industrial Design
| Interior Design
| Landscape Design
| Product Design
| Toy Design |
Transportation Design
| Web Site Design
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- 3D Design
- 3D Design is the designing of three-dimensional space. People
visualize mentally in 3D, which can be demonstrated by thinking
of any object: You think of it as a single object, not in three
projection views. 3D design works much the same way, with the
designer creating a model on screen as if it were in his mind.
Having changed and added elements to complete the design, the
model can be oriented to in plan, side or front views which become
2D projection drawings--exactly the same drawings that would
be created with traditional 2D methods. 3D Designs are often
used to simulate objects or situations prior to production in
order to reduce the overall cost. Education in the field has
significant overlap with the fields of Animation, Computer-Aided
Design (CAD), Computer Art and Holography. Skilled 3D Design
professionals are important to science and engineering, the entertainment
industry, product design and packaging, training and testing.
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- Advertising
- Advertising is a means of communicating to deliver a message
to a specific audience, most often associated with business.
Creating the desired appearance and value for the advertiser
and/or its products usually makes the difference between success
and failure. Educational programs for Advertising aren't usually
found within an art department, but more often are stand-alone
departments or within a Communications, Journalism, Public Relations
or Marketing Department. Overlap with art departments is necessary
for those who actually aim to design advertisements and visual
campaigns, not necessarily for those who coordinate all aspects
of advertising campaigns. In the industry, this is usually in
the Creative Department, and requires knowledge of advertising
trends and strong visual communication skills, overseeing progression
of campaign from rough sketches through final production.
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- Apparel Design
- Apparel Design students study the visualization, design,
and pre-production of products for apparel-related industries,
learning to turn creative ideas into reality. Education in the
field may include significant overlap with Fashion Design, Fibers/Textiles/Weaving
and Footwear Design. Career possibilities include apparel designer,
design development coordinators, and computer-aided design (CAD)
system managers. Using both computer technology (including CAD)
and traditional methods, apparel design professionals develop
everything from marketing themes, color direction, fabrics, graphics
and packaging to sketches and specifications.
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- Architecture
- Architecture is an art, a technology and a business. Architects
guide clients through the entire design and construction process;
they must consider materials, technology, cost, structural stability,
as well as aesthetic, artistic, and practical qualities; they
provide an environment of space, light and climate, changing
its context by its location and form and conveying artistic meaning.
All states in the US require architects to be licensed (registered)
by the state in which they practice, and education typically
requires five or more years of professional studies followed
by several years of internships and passage of the Architect
Registration Examination (ARE).
- Computer-Aided Design
- Computer-aided design (CAD) programs are used by architects,
engineers, graphic artists, and many others to create anything
from artwork to fashion design patterns to technical blueprints
and maps to genetic modeling. It is most often used to create
images in two and three dimensions. Students of CAD can expect
to gain experience in a wide array of computer programs and applications
related to their own specialized field of interest. CAD's many
applications have made it an integral part of a great many industries,
particularly technical and precision-oriented fields of work,
such as drafting and engineering - its widespread use makes skilled
graduates very marketable.
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- Computer Art/Design
- Computer art combines traditional art and technology to create
any type of artwork using computer programs. In practice, computer
art is used in infinite ways in every industry, from the simplest
of graphics to the retouching of photographs to three-dimensional
animations for the movie screen to genetic modeling in scientific
research. The artistic potential that computers have is ever-expanding.
Students will find no shortage of computer art courses, degrees,
certificates, workshops, and self-tutorials at almost any visual
arts school, and computer art professionals will find their skills
in demand throughout the art community.
- Design
- Design is the art of representing or communicating an idea.
It is a broad term which encompasses many fields of study and
occupation, combining art, engineering, and conceptualization.
The principles of design have been applied to all man-made things,
from the cars we drive to the clothes we wear to the furniture
we sit on to the books we read. Academically, the study of design
often requires a specialty, which could be Apparel Design, Architectural
Design, Environmental Design, Exhibit Design, Fashion Design,
Floral Design, Footwear Design, Furniture Design, Game Design,
Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Product Design,
Transportation Design, etc. In any case, a design-related education
should balance artistic talent and with a sense of consumer preferences.
Professionally, designers are both artists and engineers, working
in every sector of the economy, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
offers an excellent write-up for Designers, which those interested
in the field should be sure to read.
- Desktop Publishing
- Desktop Publishing is the creating of documents with computers
and printers, rather than through traditional mechanical methods,
such as the printing press. The popularity of desktop publishing
has revolutionized the printing industry in recent decades, as
many businesses now rely on their own in-house expertise to produce
simple documents such as flyers, reports, and newsletters. In
the past, these projects went to a print shop.
- Education in Desktop Publishing will often include study
of the major software programs used in the field (PhotoShop,
Illustrator, and Quark Xpress) on both Macintosh and PC platforms.
Certificate programs are common, but advanced degrees are not
- however, courses are often included within other art-related
majors, such as Advertising, Graphic Design, Commercial Art,
Media Arts and Visual Communication. Professionals can expect
to write and edit text, create graphics, work with hard copy
and digital photographs and drawings, develop advertising campaigns,
typeset, and a host of other tasks associated with document design
and production. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers an excellent
write-up, which those interested in the field should be sure
to read.
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- Environmental Design
- Environmental Design is a broad field that includes landscape
architecture, environmental planning, architecture, city and
regional planning, industrial design, interior design and construction
management. Environmental Design applies environmental science
to the efficient and healthy design and operation of buildings
and cities. From feng shui to golf course design to large-scale
city planning, these are the people working toward conservation
and safety in our environment. An Environmental Design degree
provides the skills and knowledge required to participate in
a wide range of existing employment sectors, and to pioneer in
new fields. Cities and towns are always growing and changing,
so there are many avenues to explore which usually require four
years of undergraduate work leading to a bachelor of arts degree,
masters degree, and doctoral work. Some academic overlap can
be expected with fields such as Architecture, CAD, Interior Design,
Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design.
- Exhibit Design
- Exhibit Designers design and build exhibits for museums,
trade shows, theater sets, visual merchandising, and interior
design. From table-top designs to large scale show rooms, they
translate ideas into 3-D marketing and/or educational structures.
The field combines a knowledge of three-dimensional and graphic
design with computer and marketing skills. The Exhibit Designers
and Producers Association (EDPA) states that communicating a
product, service or corporate message through an interactive
environment is the goal of exhibition design. Close to $4.8 billion
is spent annually on trade-show exhibits in North America alone,
so it is a sizable professional field. Classes in exhibit design
are only beginning to be taught in design schools today, so Exhibit
Designers typically have backgrounds which include a wide variety
of design disciplines, such as Industrial Design, Architecture,
Interior Design, Graphic Design and Theater Design. Strong creative
skills and the ability to work independently--and as part of
a team--are essential.
- Fashion Design
- Fashion designers design clothing and accessories, creating
original clothes according to market demands. Most fashion designers,
however, work for apparel manufacturers, creating designs of
men's, women's, and children's fashions for the mass market.
People in the fashion industry work for magazines, television
shows, public relations firms and salons; as stylists, wardrobe
consultants, or photographers; for textile, apparel, and pattern
manufacturers; for distributors of clothing, furnishings, and
accessories; and for department stores and other business that
market clothing and accessories. Because style and fashion trends
change quickly, fashion designers must work hard to stay in tune
and change with the market. Long hours and extensive travel to
production sites are considered par for the profession. Education
in the field often requires a two- or four-year degree, including
some training in textiles, fabrics, and ornamentation, as well
as fashion. Fashion Design students should expect to study creative
design and drawing, pattern-making and sewing, management, and
commercial realism, to name just a few.
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- Floral Design
- Floral designers work with live, dried, or artificial flowers
and combinations of foliage and accessories, creating arrangements
and designs for all occasions. The duties of a floral designer
largely depends on the size of the business and the number of
designers working there. For small businesses, the designer may
do everything from growing and purchasing flowers to keeping
financial records. The educational requirements for a floral
designer is generally less than for most other design fields,
most floral designers learn their skills on the job. However,
professionals who want to advance more easily in the field will
usually complete a Floral Design certificate program at vocational
and technical schools. Two- and four-year programs in floriculture,
horticulture, floral design, or ornamental horticulture are also
offered at colleges and universities. The emphasis is for students
to understand the principles of floral design and to master the
techniques needed to create arrangements for any occasion. Topics
studied include basic floral design, wedding, sympathy and church
flowers, special occasions and decorations, and Christmas arrangements,
to name a few. The job market for floral designers includes availability
in all areas of retail flower shop operations; wholesale sales
of flowers, supplies, plants and interior plantscaping. With
a two-year degree in floral design one can expect to earn 25-50
percent more than the entry level pay (of about $6 per hour).
The employment potential is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics
reports that 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."
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- Footwear Design
- The fashion industry in general is going through a boom time,
and footwear is considered one of the most important fashion
accessories. Footwear Designers keep in mind market trends and
styles. Manufacturing footwear has become a highly specialized
affair and requires sophisticated machinery and technically skilled
manpower. Thorough knowledge of science and machines is essential
for managers in order to handle advance technology. Designers
should have a good visual imagination and be creative and innovative.
There are only a few institutes that offer undergraduate degrees
in footwear design, and designers are typically graduates with
a diploma in footwear design. At the post-graduate level, footwear
science and engineering can be taken as a specialization, which
will enhance the designers ability to create quality, marketable
footwear. Knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) is essential
for having a successful career as a footwear designer. Quality
footwear manufacturers primarily employ designers. One can also
set up their own design consultancy organization and fabrication
units of special footwear use. Starting salaries that we've seen
start at $5,500 per month.
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- Furniture Design
- Furniture Designers design furniture for manufacture based
on design trends, production costs and capabilities, and characteristics
of the market. Furniture designers may design and prepare detailed
drawings of fixtures, forms, or tools required to be used in
production. Professionals may also be required to design custom
pieces or styles and must be strongly involved with the fashion
industry in order to stay aware of current trends.
- Education in the field is available at two- or three-year
professional schools which award certificates or associate degrees
in design, and some four-year colleges grant degrees in fine
arts with specialties in furniture design. Students can expect
to study CAD, Drafting, Model-making, Product Development, Upholstery,
and Design. About one-third of furniture designers are self-employed,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and those interested
in this field should expect keen competition.
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- Game Design
- The convergence of education and the entertainment industry
has resulted in the field of "Game Design," which can
include everything from computer programming, graphic art and
illustration to user interface, marketing, and packaging design.
Game Design professionals may handle it all, or specialize in
different pieces of the final product. Educational studies for
this field can be found at technologically-based colleges where
some detailed programs may be 80 weeks long. Using sophisticated
graphics and specialized design tools, students learn how to
design, script, and develop various categories of electronic
games. Because of the mathematical nature of the programming,
statistics and probability also is usually required for those
striving to design their own games from top to bottom. Beyond
the technical skills, good writing and communications skills
are critical. The main career paths within the game industry
are Programmer, Artist, and Producer. Because so many who enter
the field wish to design their own games, professionals often
operate their own business in software game design and production
or in training departments of business, industry and educational
institutions. Employment opportunities also exist in the software
production industry, but the market is extremely competetive.
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- Graphic Design
- Graphic designers prepare visual designs for print, electronic,
and film media. This includes everything from the layout of magazines,
newspapers and web pages, to brochures and newsletters, to company
logos, book and CD covers, billboards, movie credits and labels.
Their visual designs and images are often used to inform, persuade,
and/or move specific audiences to act, and their work is seen
in every kind of visual communication imaginable. In education,
graphic design is often a required course of study within any
visual artistic discipline. As a subject unto itself, graphic
design students can still expect significant overlap with other
art disciplines such as advertising design, CAD, commercial art,
desktop publishing, drawing, design, illustration, layout and
production, multimedia, product design, and visual communication.
Professionally, graphic designers can be found in any business
that has anything to sell or promote--which means just about
any business. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics has a write-up on Designers that
includes a lot of information that applies to graphic design.
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- Illustration
- Illustration is the art of creating images for the sake of
visual communication. It is the process of being able to get
across an idea, concept or emotion through an illustration, and
it has been a part of human existence since the drawings on cave
walls of the first nomadic people. Illustration has evolved with
every passing era of belief, and is now even incorporated into
the new computer age, with the advent of technical illustration.
This aspect of illustration used various forms of computer software,
such as CAD, Photoshop, and Illustrator to make illustration
less time consuming. Illustrators are often trying to solve a
visual problems for their clients.
- Illustrators of all kinds are encouraged to have a firm foundation
in two-dimensional design. Instruction in computer-related software
is also recommended, especially for those hoping to get into
careers in technical illustration. Printmaking may also be an
asset, as many careers involve publication illustration. There
are even career opportunities that involve restoration of ancient
manuscripts, which would require a knowledge base in history.
- Industrial Design
- Most people probably don't give much thought to the impact
of industrial design on their everyday life - but hundreds of
new and innovative products are being released into the marketplace
every day and, when seen on the morning news, people do take
notice of that. Industrial Design involves the design of these
consumer and capital products, from telephones and cars to toothbrushes
and computers. What drives the work for professionals is often
the concept or "big idea" that elevates a project into
something unexpected. Industrial designers often work as part
of a team, combining art with research on product use, customer
needs, and production capabilities. A college degree with at
least a bachelors degree usually is needed to break into this
field, which ranks as one of the most popular majors for both
BFAs and MFAs - about 4 percent of all BFA and MFA graduates
specialize in Industrial Design, according to a member survey
of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Familiarity with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is generally expected
int he field. Curriculum in industrial design includes a foundation
in the design and creative process and hands-on experience with
using tools, materials, and software; students can expect overlap
with sub-specialties such as 3D Design, CAD, Drafting, Furniture
Design, Product Design, Toy Design and Transportation Design,
depending on their own interest. Graduates will be prepared to
apply for entry-level positions such as junior or staff designer,
assistant, intern, or studio assistant. Jobs in industrial design
are hot right now as the field is experiencing major growth,
as the demand has also been growing for new products to improve
quality and safety, convenience and comfort.
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- Interior Design
- Interior Design refers to the decoration and functionality
of any interior space. Interior Designers act as consultants
to ensure that their clients get what they want and need. Interior
Designers must be good with color, fabric, and furniture; they
must have knowledge of materials and possess good communication
skills; their work includes creating lay outs, and even purchasing,
ordering, supervising contractors, and overseeing budgets. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics states that "most salaried interior
designers work for furniture and home furnishings stores, interior
designing services, and architectural firms. Others are self-employed
and do freelance workÂ-full time or part timeÂ-in
addition to a salaried job in another occupation." Professionals
in the field typically hold at least a bachelor's degree in Interior
Design. Education in the field will strike a balance between
mastering design skills and creativity that will lead to innovative
thinking about the inner and outer environment. Prospective students
searching for a school should take into consideration the amount
of training a school has to offer (degrees are attainable from
an AA to an MFA), whether it has any nationally-recognized graduates,
reputation, and accreditation. The Foundation
for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER) is the accrediting
body and offers a guide to well-rounded interior design curriculums
providing a thorough education in the field.
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- Landscape Design
- Landscaping combines elements of art and science to create
a functional, aesthetically pleasing extension of indoor living
to the outdoors. To work toward a desirable landscape design,
the Landscape Designer must have knowledge of art elements and
design principles. Landscape Designers design an environmental
landscape for their customers by using landscape software, some
of which combines a design program along with plant encyclopedias
to aid in your work. Landscape Designing requires not only being
able to make the environment aesthetically pleasing, but having
the knowledge to use the correct materials, placement, and plants
to provide not only a service to your customers, but to improve
the environment in an ecologically friendly way. Students studying
landscape design will receive a comprehensive training in ecology,
aesthetics, and technical skills. A typical curriculum may focus
on research, design techniques, products, services and the environment.
Career options in this field include landscape designer, landscape
contractor, nursery operations worker, government agency employee,
horticulture consultant, garden and landscape management, parks
and reserves, residential landscape designer, and groundskeeper/maintenance
worker. Some of these careers may require more than two years
of college study. Because the career options are widespread there
this is a very marketable field to be in.
- Product Design
- Product design incorporates fine art skills with technical
understanding. Those who work in this field design just about
any manufactured product that you see in any store, from the
simplest household appliances and tools to the most complex computers
and medical supplies. The profession provides the opportunity
to take ideas from prototype to mass production, including attention
to the way a product looks, feels and works.
- Educationally, Product Design programs help students to develop
skills in drawing, modelmaking and use of computers while also
learning about ergonomics, materials and manufacturing processes.
There is often some overlap with 3D Design, Computer-Aided Design,
Drafting, Industrial Design and/or Visual Communication. It is
sometimes recommended that product designers also have a background
in engineering, so they better understand the mechanical applications
of their design.
- Toy Design
- For those of us who refuse to grow up there's toy
design. Those of us who grew up with toys realize that there
is a simple, innocent quality to playing with an inanimate object.
Toys provide children with a positive outlet to explore dreams,
fantasies, and the imagination. Toys also help children to form
social relationships. Toy designers incorporate product design,
engineering, and computer capabilities to help an idea take form.
Professionals should also have a basic understanding of marketing
to have an idea of whether their toy concepts are sellable -
but perhaps, most importantly the toy designer must have an understanding
of the consumer: kids of all ages. Academically, Toy Design is
considered a subset of Industrial Design, and it is not commonly
found as an independent major (although we have seen a few schools
that offer a BFA in Toy Design). Those interested in this specific
field should find out how much coursework a school has to offer,
but in any case, the study will often involve significant overlap
with the fields of CAD, Design, Industrial Design, Product Design
and Visual Communications; some principles of engineering and
computer programming skills may also be required. Graduates will
find that careers are found within toy corporations and private
businesses; interactive, computer-based toys are also an emerging
specialty within the field.
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- Transportation Design
- The field of Transportation Design involves the application
of aesthetics to business and industrial settings. Vehichle designers
bridge the gap between art and technology by coupling artistic
principles with science to improve aerodynamics, and effeciency,
performance, and safety. They work to improve airline, train,
and bus transportation. They visualize finished designs, objects
in pictorial or graphic material, and two-dimensional representations
of objects; to make visual comparisons and to see slight differences
in shapes. They design roads, and bridges that increase terrestrial
travel while preserving the environment through which these roads
and bridges exist. Transportation designers are encouraged to
obtain a thorough education in the concepts of design (2D, 3D,
and computer), as well as engineering. It is also important for
the professional in the transportation design field to have a
good understanding of state and national laws regarding highways,
motor vehicles, etc. Job offers are given at a competitive rate
based on skill, design prospectus, and cost. This is an undying
field, as human being are fundamentally mobile, and social creatures.
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- Web Site Design
- For those out there that belong in the world of the technologically
elite, but can't quite seem to find your creative nicheÂone
hintÂweb site design. It has become apparent over the past
couple of decades that the phenomenon of computers is lasting.
It seems that the general appeal to computers is that they provide
the world at your fingertips, with a simple click of a button.
The world is conveniently compacted into a new existence within
cyberspace. Communication of information has been greatly impacted
by the advent of the World Wide Web. We, as a global society,
can readily expand our minds in practically no time at all. With
this newfound communication comes a desire to expand especially
with various businesses. It is necessary to locate qualified
individuals who are adequately acquainted with the inter-workings
of these intricate systems. Businesses need artists who can advertise
over the Internet. Those without any backing in the world of
computers, never fear. There is help. With an education in the
principles of design, advertising, and basic computer skills,
you can get in on this up-and-coming field. Additionally, the
Internet is famous for the concept of free information; therefore,
there are a number of instructional sites that will assist the
beginner in getting started. The portal to online business is
Web Site Design. The World Wide Web is expanding at about 7 million
new web sites a year. Designing a successful Website is the first
step toward reaching potential viewers and customers. Businesses
want their Website to reflect their personality, their services,
and unique ideas. They want to keep abreast of cutting edge technology,
and this requires training in Web Site Design. All of this makes
for a fast growing field with unlimited potential and comfortable
salaries.
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