Design is important when building anything and has many meanings in technology. Design focuses on the look and feel of the tech all around us, and can make websites, apps and software user-friendly. Art also plays a large role in design. Many fields within this discipline use a critical eye and art techniques, including graphic design, 3D modeling, animation and computer-aided design or CAD.
Everything from your phone, to your car, to this website, had a designer help develop the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). Without designers, everything would be less pleasing to interact with. Designers can be artists, engineers or anyone who helps develop the overall experience of technology.
Careers within the design field are varied and include graphic design, web design, 3D modeling, animation and graphics, CAD and more. Qualities that make a successful designer include creativity, communication skills, visual thinking abilities, a detail-oriented mindset and organization. Designers need to be able to see the bigger picture while noticing small details.
If you’re interested in entering a design technology career, know that it can be pretty competitive. Try putting together a “portfolio,” or collection, of your work or assignments in the field. Digital or physical copies of portfolios are common. The field of design, like fashion, is ever-changing. Trends come and go out of style, and designers need to be up-to-date on the latest movements.
What doesn’t go out of style, however, are the fundamentals of art. Jobs in design typically require some familiarity with art, including color theory, an understanding of line and shape and more.
Education Requirements
Associate's degree or bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$51K
Web designers plan, create and code internet sites and web pages, many of which combine text with sounds, pictures, graphics and video clips. A web designer is responsible for creating the design and layout of a website or web pages. Web designers often have a wide range of education, from a bachelor's degrees in web design and development, computer programming or computer science to associate's degrees coupled with years of work experience.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$122k, according to ZipRecruiter
Video game designers create the concepts and worlds of video games. They are involved with the design of the genre, environment, story, characters, gameplay system, objectives and user experience of video games. A game designer is the creative force behind the development of a video game. They typically have a bachelor's degree in game design, computer engineering, or computer science.
Education Requirements
Typically, this occupation requires a bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$45k according to ZipRecruiter
A graphic designer, or graphic artist, is responsible for creating aesthetically pleasing images that accompany written text. Their duties include meeting with clients to establish their needs, using design software to complete projects and revising projects based on client feedback. Graphic designers usually need a bachelors degree in graphic design or a related field.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree and additional training
Average Salary
$47k according to ZipRecruiter
Interior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials. They read blueprints and must be aware of building codes and inspection regulations, as well as universal accessibility standards. A bachelor's degree is usually required in order to become an interior designer, as are classes in interior design, drawing, and computer-aided design (CAD).
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$58k according to ZipRecruiter
Industrial designers develop the concepts for manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and toys. They combine art, business, and engineering to make products that people use everyday. A bachelor's degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering is usually required for entry-level industrial design jobs.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's or master degree, internship and field work
Average Salary
$78k according to ZipRecruiter
An architect is a skilled professional who plans and designs buildings and generally plays a key role in their construction. Architects are highly trained in the art and science of building designs. Since they bear responsibility for the safety of their buildings' occupants, architects must be professionally licensed. To become an architect, you need to complete a bachelor's or master's degree program in architecture. Then, an internship and ultimately licensure is required to work in any state. Architects who want to consult or work in academia will need a doctorate in the field.
Education Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent
Average Salary
$40K according to ZipRecruiter
Carpenters are skilled artisans who construct, erect, install and renovate structures made of wood and other materials, ranging from kitchen cabinets to building frameworks. They work in various areas of construction. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to enter the occupation. Certain high school courses, such as mathematics and mechanical drawing, may be useful. Some vocational-technical schools offer associate's degrees in carpentry.
Education Requirements
Associate's or bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$62K
Animators use computers and other techniques to create moving images that tell stories or provide information. They work with clients and production team members to establish project goals, create storyboards, and design and refine animations. Animators use software and other techniques to produce animations, as well as collaborate with clients and production teams to understand needs, review scripts, design storyboards, and create and edit animations. An animator's education typically involves a bachelor's degree in computer animation, fine art, or graphic arts.
Education Requirements
Associate's and Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$58K
A sound designer is responsible for an audience's audio journey through a production. The sound designer works with the director and the rest of the creative team to make decisions about what an audience hears when they watch a piece of theatre. They are also responsible for setting up the sound playback equipment and must make sure the board operator is properly trained. Most sound designers earn a bachelor's degree in audio engineering, sonic arts, or a related field. Although this is an entry-level position, it's not an easy one to get, and requires an impressive portfolio.
Education Requirements
Associate's and bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$47K
As a video editor, you'll manage material such as camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics and special effects to produce a final film or video product. A video editor is tasked with taking the raw footage shot by a film crew and director and turning it into the final product. This means following an outline, script or shot list and assembling the footage into one cohesive video or film. This is a key role in the post-production process and your skills can determine the quality and delivery of the finished result. most film and video editors have a bachelor's degree in a field related to film or broadcasting, such as communications. Many colleges offer courses in cinematography or video-editing software.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree and 1-5 years experience
Average Salary
$70K
A film producer is a person who oversees film production. Either employed by a production company or working independently, producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script; coordinating writing, directing, editing; and arranging financing. Film producers should have a bachelor's degree in film, acting, journalism, communication or another related field. 1-5 years or industry experience is common and internships are available.
Education Requirements
Associate's and bachelor's degree in illustration
Average Salary
$57K
Illustrators are artists that use their creative skills to create original images for a range of printed and digital products. They work closely with clients and the marketing team to turn ideas and printed media into inspiring illustrations. Careers in illustration are competitive, and many employers expect experience, talent, and education. Earning a bachelor's degree in illustration prepares future professionals in these areas.
Education Requirements
Associate's or bachelor's degree and experience
Average Salary
$85K
The UX designer cerates satisfying or compelling experience for users of a product, often drawing on results from user research and workflow analysis. UX designers collaborate with designers and developers to create intuitive, user-friendly software. Generally UX designers need to possess strong creative, technical and problem solving skills. They are typically required to have a bachelor's degree in visual design, communications, computer science or psychology. Previous design experience is often required.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Average Salary
$59K
Set designers are involved in all aspects of "creating the scene," from stage construction to costume creation to the use of props. They research, design, and supervise construction of the visual aids required in stage, film, and television productions. Set designers have above average artistic ability. A bachelor's degree in set design, scenic design, or theater is sufficient to enter this field.
Career salary data provided by: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook handbook and O*NET OnLine.
