| Where can a degree in applied arts and design | | | | degree with business, merchandising, or marketing |
| take you? Graduates working in the field can be | | | | training. |
| found in the world's top fashion houses, Fortune | | | | Graphic Designers: From Fortune 500 companies |
| 500 companies, respected architectural firms, and | | | | to local shops, businesses usually trust trained |
| more.Pursuing a degree in applied arts and design | | | | graphic designers to create a fresh, interesting |
| can be a smart way to combine your artistic | | | | look. About a quarter are self employed, and may |
| ability with training for a potentially lucrative | | | | work on multiple projects at once, building |
| career. While no educational program can | | | | experience and professional contacts. Career |
| guarantee such a career, hiring managers typically | | | | training typically combines artistic basics with |
| prefer or require education when reviewing | | | | popular graphic design computer programs. |
| potential applicants. | | | | • Mean Annual Salary: $45,340 |
| Training Beyond Fine Arts | | | | • Recommended Degree: The bachelor's |
| Unlike training strictly in fine arts, applied arts and | | | | degree is the traditional educational route, though |
| design courses can provide students with a mix | | | | certificate and diploma programs offer specialized |
| of artistic and technical knowledge that can be | | | | coursework you may prefer. |
| used in today's competitive design careers. | | | | Interior Designers: Multimillion-dollar homes, public |
| Graduates may start their own businesses, work | | | | spaces like libraries and hospitals, and private |
| on their own as freelancers, or join established | | | | industry spaces benefit from the work of interior |
| companies. The flexibility of an applied arts and | | | | designers. Over a quarter of all interior designers |
| design degree draws many to the industry, and | | | | are self-employed, and many work for specialized |
| you traditionally need a strong portfolio to stand | | | | design services. Education takes a technical turn, |
| out among the crowd. | | | | often including computer-aided design. |
| Popular Applied Arts and Design Careers | | | | • Mean Annual Salary: $50,190 |
| Entering an applied arts and design education | | | | • Recommended Degree: A bachelor's degree |
| means specializing in the field of your choice. | | | | is recommended for entry-level positions. Some |
| Check out some of the most popular fields for | | | | states license interior designers, a process |
| applied arts and design majors, with 2007 salary | | | | involving education, experience, and passing a |
| information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. | | | | licensing exam. |
| Fashion Designers: These talented artists create | | | | Benefits of a College Education |
| the styles we wear every day. About a quarter | | | | The design world can be highly competitive, and |
| of all fashion designers are self-employed. An | | | | hiring managers often prefer or require formal |
| education can give you essential knowledge of | | | | education in the form of a college degree or |
| textiles, ornamentation, fashion trends, and more. | | | | certificate. Beyond the benefits of that piece of |
| • Mean Annual Salary: $71,170 | | | | paper, training in applied arts and design means |
| • Recommended Degree: Bachelor's degrees | | | | getting a chance to explore different areas of |
| are popular in the industry. Those hoping to open | | | | design, learning your own strengths and |
| their own fashion line may combine a design | | | | weaknesses as you build your creative portfolio. |