Gifted with a passion to create, designers use their artistic ability to produce functional items that are visually pleasing. Their influence is seen in the clothes we wear, the physical spaces we inhabit, the merchandise we buy and the print and web publications we enjoy. Although many designers are employed by corporations and manufacturers, a significant number are self-employed as consultants and freelance designers. Through their vision and skills, designers put their imprint on our world.
Before designers can begin to create, they must first consider the needs of their client, looking at both the function of the intended design and those features that would be important to users. After determining requirements such as desired size, color, cost, weight, shape and materials, designers prepare sketches to illustrate their vision for the design. Often, computer-aided design tools (CAD) are utilized to make visualizing the final product easier. Industrial designers may use computer-aided industrial design (CAID) tools which also produce machine-readable instructions for automated production machinery. Since design needs for a specific industry may be highly technical, designers generally specialize in a particular area, such as automobile, clothing and textiles, floral, theatre, industrial, interior, medical, website or landscape design.
Fashion designers design clothing and accessories. Most are employed by apparel manufacturers, although some design for individual clients. Interior designers may specialize in either residential or business design, planning the interiors of both new and existing structures. They must consider their client’s taste, needs and budget in planning functional, comfortable and aesthetically-pleasing spaces. Commercial and industrial designers use their artistic talents to produce such items as automobiles, kitchen appliances, furniture, toys, and sports and office equipment. Graphic designers develop the layout and design of media including magazines, newspapers, web pages, journals, signs and other publications. Flowers and foliage are the raw materials used to express the creativity of floral designers. While their areas of specialization may differ, designers have much in common.
Along with a passion to create, designers must have an eye for color and detail, a sense of proportion and balance and an appreciation for beauty. Sketching ability is important, even with the increasing use of computer-aided design tools. Since designers often work as part of a product development team, strong communication skills are vital, as is the ability to understand and solve design problems. Because tastes in style and fashion change, designers must be open to new ideas and quick to react to emerging trends.
Most entry-level design positions require a bachelor’s degree, except for some positions in floral design or merchandise display. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree includes a study of art and art history, principles of design, and specialized study in each of the design disciplines. Additional courses in business, marketing, and psychology are recommended for designers who hope to freelance. Training in architecture is often helpful for those wishing to work in interior design. Increasingly, familiarity with computer-aided design software is a requirement for job consideration. For many positions, it is the quality of the applicant’s portfolio (a collection of the designer’s best work) that leads to a job offer.
Possible Career Paths for Design Majors
- Animator
- Apparel Designer
- Art Director (assistant)
- Brand Identity Designer
- Cartoonist
- Catalog Page Designer
- Cinematographer
- Communication Specialist
- Contractor
- Costume Designer
- Designer/Sales
- Exhibit/Display Staff
- Fashion Illustrator
- Fashion Reporter
- Graphic Designer
- Home Fashion Coordinator
- Illustrator
- Interior Designer
- Jewelry Designer
- Landscape Architect
- Layout Artist
- Lighting Designer
- Logo Designer
- Merchandising Analyst
- Multimedia Designer
- Patternmaker
- Preservationist
- Photographer
- Retail Store Designer
- Retail Visual Merchandiser
- Set Designer
- Technical Designer
- Video Game Designer
- Video Technician
- Web Designer
- Window Designer
Learn More
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits more than 200 postsecondary programs in art and design. For general information contact the National Association of Schools of Art and Design at http://nasad.arts-accredit.org. Learn about careers and programs in interior design at the American Society for Interior Designers at www.asid.org and at the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research at www.fider.org. For graphic design information, click on the website of the American Institute of Graphic Arts at www.aiga.org. Don’t forget the Bureau of Labor Statistics resources at www.bls.gov.
