Schools For Me» Design

Book Designer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:48:46 +0000

Book designers work either full-time or as a freelance regular for a publishing company. The book designer designs not only the jacket and cover of the book, but also the interior. The designer works with the book editor and the publisher’s art director to find out all the information needed to correctly design the book. Designers then make a variety of sketches to show the editor and art director, and sometimes the author. With input from them, the sketches are changed and improved until everyone is happy with the look. Then, more specific drawings or designs are produced to exact specifications.

A designer must communicate clearly with, and supervise the ongoing work of any artists or designers or photographers that help in providing the elements that go into the book design.
Average Salary:

$50,000.
Average Hours (per week):

The average work week for the book designer is 40 hours, though as more designers become freelancers, their hours may vary, and they must make themselves available to the clients in the Publishing house.
Union:

Membership in the Graphic Artists Guild, though not mandatory, may help with networking possibilities.
Certifications:

As with all design jobs, a good design portfolio will get you the job.
Training Period:

A bachelor’s degree in art and design, with courses in publishing, is necessary, as is proficiency on all design software. Courses in psychology, marketing, and business are a good idea. A love of books is not necessary, but it helps. An internship in a publishing house, or a couple of years as an assistant, provides you with a strong knowledge of the demands of the business, a few connections in the industry, and a strong portfolio.
Strongest Market(s):

New York and Boston house most of the book publishers, and are still the centers of the book-publishing world. However, more and more book designing jobs are being outsourced rather than having a full-time staff position, so it may not be quite as necessary to live in one of these two cities.
Entry Level Salary:

$30,000.
Top Salary:

$65,000.
Job Growth Forecast:
The job growth forecast over the next ten years for book designers is 7 percent. Though the Web is replacing many publishing enterprises, there is still a demand for books, specialty and otherwise, that online resources have enhanced rather than diminished.

Design Director

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:46:58 +0000

The design director develops, implements and manages a company’s design strategy, with ultimate responsibility for the company’s product design output. They may work for a design firm, often as its head, or as the head of the design department within a big manufacturing company.
Average Salary:

$120,000.
Average Hours (per week):

40 plus hours per week are the norm for the design director, who has multiple responsibilities.
Union:

No
Certifications:

No certifications are needed that relate directly to director level, though certification in project management would be needed along the way, as well as any engineering certification related to design specialties.
Training Period:

At least ten years of direct experience and a master’s degree are required. An understanding of business administration, people management, engineering, and government regulations related to the areas of design, and best practices are also necessary.
Strongest Market(s):

Some design directors work with start-ups, helping to perfect the products of an entrepreneur. They would want to live in California, where most of the innovators live. Others would be where the prestigious design firms are, or would have worked their way up inside a manufacturing company, which are most anywhere.
Entry Level Salary:

$60,000. This is the low end of a Director’s salary, or a typical senior manager’s pay.
Top Salary:

$180,000.
Job Growth Forecast:
The ten-year Design Director forecast is 7 percent growth, along the lines with growth in high-tech and the need for senior management in all areas of product design and manufacturing.

Design Manager

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:45:10 +0000

The design manager, or industrial design manager, or commercial design manager, or senior manager, is the creative director of the product-designers and draftsmen working to develop or improve products.

Design managers often hire the other designers, then oversees their work. The design manager works with the client and the other members of a design firm to understand completely the client’s needs and budget. They then develop a schedule and puts the right team or teams together to complete the project on time. The manager also advises the teams all along the way, to make sure that they stay on track with the client’s specifications.

A design manager usually works in the same product-design firms as the designers. However, some prefer to work in companies on one kind of product, whether it is a car company, a toy company, or a manufacturing company that produces better and better machine parts.
Average Salary:

$104,000.

Average Hours (per week):

A typical work week for a manager is usually more than 40 hours.
Union:

No.
Certifications:

CAD certification as well as project management certification is a good idea. Also, managers must remain current in areas of product design, consumer trends, and software. They must also stay current with any issues affect the particular industry they are working in.
Training Period:

Beyond the bachelor’s degree or master’s degree that the industrial designer requires, seven years at least are required in a specialized area of design to be a design manager. Besides people management abilities, the job requires project management, and a strong business sense.
Strongest Market(s):

Design and engineering firms needing managers are all over the country. Big manufacturing firms also need managers. The prestigious product design firms are in California, New York, and Boston. Design managers who prefer to work in one industry can go to anywhere that there is a factory with designers.
Entry Level Salary:

$77,000. This is the typical salary for a beginning design manager or a commercial/industrial designer with a few years of experience.
Top Salary:

$136,000.
Job Growth Forecast:
Just as with industrial designers, the ten-year forecast for job growth for design managers and senior designers is 7 percent. Of particular interest is the steady growth, beyond seven percent in the high-tech field.

Commercial/Industrial Designer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:43:29 +0000

The Commercial/Industrial Designer employs an understanding of design, engineering, marketing, psychology, and other skills to design or improve the products we use every day. Though many designers specialize in a particular product category such as cars, appliances, tech goods, medical equipment or even toys, they all combine an appreciation for art, business and engineering in their work of developing and improving products.

Many designers who work for design firms get their assignments from clients, who wish to turn their product ideas into reality so that they can be tested. The designers must gather from the clients all the information they need to perform their assignments. They will often present several possible design sketches, each with its own advantages and drawbacks, in order to discuss the client’s preferences, and to move on to a more thorough design stage.
Average Salary:

$62,000.
Average Hours (per week):

The designer works an average forty-hour week. Because of the nature of product design, there are not usually the overnight deadlines that require overtime.
Union:

No.
Certifications:

A good design portfolio and a certificate in Computer Aided Design are essential.
Training Period:

A bachelor’s degree in industrial design or engineering is necessary. Many designers also pursue master’s degrees for better entry-level positions. Courses should include design, CAD, manufacturing methods, engineering, math, and psychology. An understanding of marketing and business is helpful. One to three years of on-the-job training is required before one can expect to move up
Strongest Market(s):

California is and will continue to be the entrepreneurial center of the world, and the natural home base for anyone wanting to create the next big product in any number of industries. However, any big city will have product-design firms that are producing great ideas, products, and product innovations.
Entry Level Salary:

$30,000. Higher salaries are expected by candidates with Master’s degrees.
Top Salary:

$95,000. More for management positions.
Job Growth Forecast:
The ten-year forecast for commercial/industrial designers working in companies and design firms is 7 percent. Though that is lower than the national average, there is a particular need in the growing high-tech world.

Exhibit Designer — Museum

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:41:36 +0000

Exhibit designers design and construct environments and exhibits for museums. They must make the material as easily reachable and as understandable as possible. They also try to make the exhibits as engaging as possible.

The exhibit designer works with the curator and other museum personnel to gather all the information needed about the exhibit: the number of pieces, the space allowed, and the content and all of the educational material to be conveyed. The designer then makes several possible design sketches for the curator to choose from. The designer then adapts the designs to the curator’s needs and other demands. Once the design is finalized, the designer oversees its construction and installation, making any and all final touches before the exhibit is open to the public.
Average Salary:

$62,000

Average Hours (per week):

The average work week for an exhibit designer is 40 hours, and more if there is a special exhibit with deadlines.
Union:

No
Certifications:

Good portfolio, as with all design jobs, is essential. CAD Certification may be useful, especially as museums are increasingly working toward stimulating environments and not just exhibits.
Training Period:

A Bachelors degree in scenic design with emphasis on interior design is recommended. Many exhibit designers have specialties – art, science, natural history, etc, — based on their own interests. A thorough education in your specialty is also a good idea. Exhibit designers definitely need as broad a liberal arts education as possible in order to be able to design any kind of exhibit. Ability to research is crucial. Graphic arts courses are also a good idea. Internships in museums are a chance to build a portfolio and learn on-the-job techniques as well as develop connections with future employers.
Strongest Market(s):

Washington, D.C. is the place with most of the museums, which, run by the federal government, generally have more money at their disposal. Any major metropolitan area, though, also has plenty of museums, which feature both semi-permanent exhibits as well as traveling or temporary shows.
Entry Level Salary:

$40,000.
Top Salary:

$86,000.
Job Growth Forecast:
The forecasts for ten-year job growth for exhibit designers is 12 percent. Since most museums are dependent on the philanthropy of both individuals and businesses, jobs are expected to increase as the economy improves.

Set Designer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:40:14 +0000

Set designers use a sense of design, an understanding of the architecture of the period presented in the play or film (or commercial), and an understanding of theatre or film in general to create engaging sets.

Set designers read the script and work with the director to understand all the basic needs of the set as well as the director’s vision. They must often do research to ensure that their designs are accurate with the period presented, and with the place presented. The designer shows several possible sketches for the sets to the director, and then must adapt and change as the sketches move to models and to blueprints and then the set itself.
Average Salary:

$45,000. Theatre set designers are on average lower salaries than for film and television.
Average Hours (per week):

Unless employed by a studio or production company, where the work would be steady, the days would be long to meet production deadlines. Forty-plus hours per week would be expected.
Union:

IATSE is the union for most people in the scenic professions, whether building or designing.
Certifications:

CAD certification is useful. The portfolio of your work is still the determining factor for employment.
Training Period:

A college degree – an Associates or, better yet, Bachelors degree — in scenic design is required. Courses in theatre and film, architecture, and art are a good idea. Understanding of structure and construction is helpful. Two to four years working as an assistant will be necessary. As with other design professions, getting an internship with a production company or theatre company would help you build a portfolio, establish connections in the industry, and give you a good working knowledge of the business from the inside.
Strongest Market(s):

Los Angeles is where the soundstages are. Vancouver, Canada, too. New York is where Broadway is. Other big cities may afford an opportunity to build a portfolio by working in theatre.
Entry Level Salary:

$25,000. Set design is competitive, so the entry-level salary is low for both film and theatre.
Top Salary:

$75,000.
Job Growth Forecast:
The ten-year growth projection is 14 percent for set designers, which is better than average growth because of increased film and video markets, both globally and with ever-increasing cable markets.

Interior Designer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:38:50 +0000

Interior designers design the interior space of homes, office buildings, restaurants, and virtually any inside space. The designer works with the client to find out all of the practical needs of the space, and any particular problems that may have to be overcome. They then put together an understanding of space, architecture, art, fabrics, colors and textures to make both an optimally attractive and practical space within the client’s budget. The interior designer needs to be a successful communicator, in addition to having the artistic skills.
Average Salary:

$42,000. Salaries vary widely depending on the type of design specialty and employer.
Average Hours (per week):

The average work week of forty hours fits most interior design schedules. There are deadlines in this profession, too, which often require late nights.
Union:

No, though most are members of American Society for Interior Designers, a trade association.
Certifications:

Some states require a license. Six years combined college education and experience are required before one can take the test. Once certified, continuing education is required to keep the license. Optional certifications in kitchen and bath design are available.
Training Period:

An associates or bachelors degree is recommended for entry-level interior-design positions. A degree in interior design, with courses in architecture and some knowledge of engineering is a good foundation. Besides art courses, knowledge of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is crucial. Internships with a design firm will help you develop connections, give you a better understanding of the business, and help you develop your portfolio.
Strongest Market(s):

Any city with 500,000 population is going to be of sufficient market-size to support design firms needing help.
Entry Level Salary:

$25,000. The entry-level salary is low because of the competition to get into good interior design firms.
Top Salary:

$85,000 is the usual top salary, but supervisory designers, owners of firms, and more experienced and specialized designers make several times that.
Job Growth Forecast:
The ten-year job forecast for interior designers is 19 percent over the next ten years. This forecast is surprisingly good. As the economy improves, housing will improve as will expansion of businesses. Meanwhile, more homeowners are appreciating individualized interior design and are more likely to pay for expert advice.

Senior Graphic Design Specialist

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:37:11 +0000

Also called a Senior Graphic Artist, this individual creates visual solutions to communication problems. Using a knowledge of type, art, composition, illustration, photography, and all of the visual arts, Graphic Designers also use computers to put together visuals for advertising, packaging, promotions, layout of newspapers and magazines, branding, just about everything that uses graphic arts. The Senior Specialist, in a book or magazine publishing house or a design firm, would be like an advertising Creative Director. This person would oversee other graphic artists and help plan larger projects.
Average Salary:

The average salary for a graphic designer is $50,000 at a newspaper; and $75,000 at a magazine. Those working on advertising are usually freelance and can make any amount of money.
Average Hours (per week):

The average work week usually exceeds forty hours, depending on the average deadline, which almost certainly demands working late nights.
Union:

No, except possibly if working in the newspapers.
Certifications:

Even a senior artist needs to keep up a good portfolio of work.
Training Period:

Six years at least as a graphic artist is required before one may get the title Senior Graphic Artist. A Bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a broad liberal arts background, computer courses, and marketing or psychology courses form a good foundation. The senior graphic artist needs to keep up with new forms of computer graphic software, as well as new type fonts, and design trends.
Strongest Market(s):

For senior graphic design positions in magazines, the top ten most populated cities all have a good number of publications, though New York is still the center of the magazine publishing world. For graphic arts in general, the top fifty cities in population are the top-fifty strongest markets.
Entry Level Salary:

$35,000. This is the very low-end of a senior position in graphic design. Most good graphic designers should be making this much in two or three years out of college.
Top Salary:

$75,000 to $100,000. Freelance graphic designers with regular clients can make more than that.
Job Growth Forecast:
Job growth for senior graphic artists is about 10 percent over ten years, about par with the general growth of the job market.

Graphic Design Specialist

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:35:40 +0000

Also known as graphic artists, graphic design specialists create visual solutions to communication problems, meaning they are particularly adept at telling stories or communicating messages using graphic elements. When words are part of the message, they use skills with type fonts to augment the power of the words.

Graphic artists have an understanding of all the visual arts and apply them as needed to advertising, newspapers and magazines, Internet pages, and virtually anything that can be a visual communication. They employ type, illustration, composition, photography and other visual arts into one graphic design. Most graphic designers work on computers, using graphic design software to help them create works faster.
Average Salary:

Advertising graphic designers (salaried) average $44,000. Those on the staffs of newspapers and magazines average $35,000. Many graphic designers are freelance, too.
Average Hours (per week):

Salaried graphic designers work a typical 40-hour week. Freelance designers often have to work after hours when they can meet the client, or otherwise be available when the client needs them.
Union:

Possibly those designers working in newspapers are required to join unions.
Certifications:

A portfolio of one’s best work is the best certification. There are technical certificates for those without a bachelor’s degree who wish to master the technical side of composing ads, or putting together the work of others under their direction.
Training Period:

A college degree in graphic design is useful, as are courses in computer design, psychology, marketing, and general liberal arts.

Strongest Market(s):

The fifty cities with the largest populations are the best bet. Graphic designers must count on a certain level of clients other than grocery stores or the average retail business or small-town newspaper.
Entry Level Salary:

$25,000 – $34,000
Top Salary:

For salaried graphic artists, before moving on to a supervisory role, the top salary is $64,000. Self-employed graphic designers in demand can make more than twice that.
Job Growth Forecast:

The ten-year job forecast is 10 percent growth, about par with the general growth of the job market.

Floral Designer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:33:37 +0000

Floral designers can make literally breathtaking works of art, using flowers, greenery, and sometimes other props such as knickknacks and balloons, or various kinds of planters and vases. There is definitely more to it than meets the eye. Floral designers have a strong visual sense, and learn on the job, or by just noticing the designs of others.

Different occasions – funerals, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and just general occasions – require different kinds of floral arrangements, which the floral designer works to make as beautiful as possible with the flowers at hand and the budget of the customer.
Average Salary:

$23,000.
Average Hours (per week):

The typical work week of 35 hours is what a floral designer can expect. Holidays, wedding seasons, or other occasions may require a few extra hours.
Union:

No
Certifications:

The American Institute of Floral designers offers an accreditation exam to show professional achievement in floral design. Community colleges and other schools offer certificates in floral design.
Training Period:

This is one of the only design-oriented jobs that does not require any education past high school. Most floral designers learn on the job, working for a florist. With ability, persistence, and a good business sense, the floral designer may manage the shop for the owner or open up her own shop.
Strongest Market(s):

Anywhere there is a florist or a grocery store, there is a potential job for a floral designer.
Entry Level Salary:

$15,000. The job often pays minimum-wage, though people who prove they can handle customers well can move up fast.
Top Salary:

$35,000. Owning a successful flower shop, though, can bring more money than this, though the floral designer would have to be good at business and self-promoting, getting business from regular clients such as funeral homes or churches, hotels, or other wedding locales and working well with wedding planners, who will recommend them.
Job Growth Forecast:

The number of floral designers is expected to decline by 9 percent over the next ten years. This doesn’t mean there won’t be possible jobs, though, for the serious person who wants to be a florist. There is high turnover in this field because of the relatively low pay. There are also florists who go out of business or retire all of the time.

Costume Designer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:31:48 +0000

Costume Designers are fashion designers who work for films, television, or in theatre. Besides creating fashions, these designers must do extensive research in the period and place depicted on screen or stage. The Costume Designers present many sketches of possible costumes to the Director. Then, they work to develop the Director’s vision of the costumes, changing and adapting as the designs go from sketches to complete drawings to actual costumes. The Costume Designer will also search through costume outlets, used clothing stores, and vintage shops, to find just the right piece.

Average Salary:

Big-budget stage productions, which also rely on the visual appeal of the costumes, may pay as much as films and television. However, as most theatre jobs, the pay is tiny. $60,000 is the average for film; theatre is at best half of that.
Average Hours (per week):

During the run of a show or film, there are many 12-hour days. So, while the costume designer is working, she is working 50-plus hours a week.
Union:

Costume designers usually belong to IATSE.
Certifications:

Costume designers need a portfolio of fashion drawings. Skills in sewing and patternmaking are important. CAD certifications can be had, but are not as important as proof of creativity and know-how.
Training Period:

An associate or bachelor’s degree in fashion design and theatre arts is required. An emphasis or even minor in art is a good idea. Courses in anatomy, film, theatre are also a good idea. Studios and production companies have internships, as do independent costume designers. An unpaid stint with a theatre company or even student films is also a good way of developing a portfolio, making connections, and getting a practical understanding of the business.
Strongest Market(s):

The costume designer is wise to go where the business is. That means New York and Los Angeles for work in film; New York to design costumes for theatre; and Los Angeles for television work.
Entry Level Salary:

$25,000.

The glamour of film and theatre, and the glamour of fashion combine to make this also a fiercely competitive business to break into. Consequently, true entry-level positions with small theatres or production companies may be much less.
Top Salary:

$100,000 is generally the top salary. Oscar-winning costume designers, and even Obie-winning (theatre) costume designers may make several times that.
Job Growth Forecast:
The job growth forecast for costume designers is 9 percent, a little better than for the fashion industry as a whole. This is because of the increase in film and productions for new media, and their need for those who can find and create the period-accurate or otherwise appropriate costumes.

Fashion Designer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 07:28:48 +0000

Fashion designers are gifted artists who work in the three-dimensional, ever-changing world of designing clothes. Fashion designers study trends in design, particularly, of course, clothing design. They then must create their designs for clothes that won’t be in the stores for two more years. Fashion designers not only are experts at color and style. They must also consider fabrics, the limits of anatomy, and certain practicalities of everyday life in designing clothes. Fashion designers also work closely with the manufacturers to ensure the clothes are done correctly.
Average Salary:

$61,000 for full-time workers. The average for freelance designers is less.
Average Hours (per week):

The standard 40-hour week is typical for salaried designers. Freelance designers need to be flexible and meet often after hours, or whenever the clients can meet. Several trips to trade and fashion shows are also required.
Union:

Not usually for the level of designer, though the clothing industry has many affiliated unions.
Certifications:

A portfolio of your best drawings speaks for itself. Skills in sewing and patternmaking are important. CAD certifications can be had, but are not as important as proof of creativity and know-how.
Training Period:

A college degree, either an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in fashion design, is required. Emphasis on, or even a minor in, business, marketing, merchandising is a good idea. Courses in anatomy, math and psychology are also a good idea. Internships with a design or manufacturing firm a good way of developing a portfolio, understanding the business, and making connections. Also, experience working in retail stores is helpful, especially in developing presentation and sales skills.

Beginners start as pattern makers or assistants.
Strongest Market(s):

New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco are the best markets. This is where apparel manufacturers or merchant wholesalers are. Design firms selling to mass-market outlets are there, too.
Entry Level Salary:

$30,000 is the entry-level salary, if you’re lucky. The competition to break in to the industry is fierce, requiring entry-level designers to work for what they can get.
Top Salary:

$125,000 is the top salary for a fashion designer who works in a company. Freelance fashion designers can possibly make any amount of money if their designs catch on.
Job Growth Forecast:

The official forecast for job growth for fashion designers is only five percent over the next ten years, and the competition for those jobs, because of the prestige and glamour of the fashion industry, is fierce.

THE ART INSTITUTE ONLINE – Interior Design (Bachelors)

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 04:35:18 +0000

DESCRIPTION

You understand the importance of interior design and style as well as the functionality and practicality of space. Part art, part science, our classes for interior design go far beyond decorating. Interior designers have a profound impact on people’s lives by creating the surroundings in which they live, work and play. Our Interior Design degree online can be your gateway into this exciting field.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division is a leader in online creative arts education for Interior Design. Founded in 1921, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh supports our Interior Design courses with more than 85 years of excellence.

ADVANTAGES

In our Interior Design courses, you will study computer-aided drafting and design, 3-D design, space planning, problem solving and the history of design and architecture. Interior design course work also covers specialty design, including exhibit design, hospitality design, retail store design and corporate design. In addition, you will learn how to communicate interior design solutions through a variety of visual media.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

In the Interior Design program, you’ll study the design, safety, and usability issues of creating the spaces where we live, work, and play. Coursework focuses on space planning, traffic patterns, and the colors, surfaces and furnishings that make surroundings comfortable and livable. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as draftsperson, facilities planner, interior designer/decorator, or space planner..

FINANCIAL AID

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division participates in federal and other financial aid programs. We are committed to helping you explore every option for making your education affordable. Regardless of your income of financial situation, you may qualify for financial aid programs that can help finance your education.

Our Student Financial Services team is here to help as you develop an affordable payment schedule. The following resources provide additional opportunities to reduce tuition cost.

To apply for financial aid, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once you have completed the FAFSA, a member of our Financial Services Team will work with you to develop a financial plan that suits your needs.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A rich and diverse array of scholarships are available to pay all or part of a student’s tuition at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Take a few moments to browse through the list of scholarships in the left navigation of your browser window.

Visit The Art Institutes list of competitions for high school students and current students at http://www.artinstitutes.edu/Competitions/Default.aspx

All high school senior scholarship recipients must apply and be accepted at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The recipient must begin his or her program of study in the summer or fall quarter following high school graduation. A full-tuition, two-year scholarship is defined as two academic years or 90 credits and a half-tuition, two-year scholarship is defined as one academic year or 45 credits. Scholarship awards are evenly distributed over the recipient’s program of study.

CERTIFICATIONS

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

SUMMARY

The Interior Design degree online at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division has been developed to educate a new generation of interior designers and prepare them for the challenges ahead.

As a student in our Interior Design program, you will build your individual interior design portfolio. Upon graduation from our Interior Design degree online, you will have the opportunity to showcase the practical and technical skills you have acquired to potential employers at the graduation portfolio review. You will be prepared for entry-level career opportunities in the field of interior design. Potential career opportunities include: Assistant Designer, Draftsperson, Facilities or Space Planner.

After gaining professional experience, you can pursue opportunities such as: Senior Designer, Project Director and Sales Representative.

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