Before the COVID-19 pandemic, creative organisations involved in advertising, fashion, film and graphic design were thriving.
According to a report from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media
& Sport, the UK's creative industries contributed £115.9billion to the economy in 2019, employing over two million people. The figures show this is a vibrant sector with lots of opportunities for young people to pursue. Its growth over recent years has been driven by a boom in computer services, highlighting the importance of digital creative industries.
Did you know that studying Graphic Design can open up doors to many other creative careers? We looked at five you may not have considered:
- Games Designer
Graphic Design students will learn many similar transferrable skills required to be a games designer, such as coding, working with typography, illustration, and iconography. As a game designer, you'll bring ideas, build prototypes, create interactive narration and develop the game's mechanics. You'll design systems that are easily maintainable, expandable and comfortable to use, while injecting fun into the user experience. The average salary for games designers range from £30,000- £45,000.
- Illustrator
As an illustrator, you'll work to commercial briefs to inform, persuade or entertain a client's intended audience, adjusting the mood and style of images accordingly. You'll typically specialise in a particular design medium, such as drawing, photography or digital illustration. Areas you could work in include advertising, publishing, fashion, editorial and multimedia such as film and TV. Skilled illustrators are in demand and can expect to earn between £20,000-£30,000 per year.
- Interior Designer
Interior designers use their creative skills to plan, design or renovate internal spaces including structural alterations, furnishings, fixtures and fittings, lighting and colour schemes. Most interior designers will be based in a studio and specialist consultancies are usually found in London. Experienced interior designers can command a salary of between £25,000-£40,000 per year.
- UX Designer
As a user experience (UX) designer, you'll ensure that the 'user experience' for individuals using websites, services or products is as efficient and pleasurable as possible. You‚Äôll be focussing on the look, feel and usability of the product, tailoring to specific customers‚Äô needs. You'll work collaboratively with other members of the digital team and the wider business to ensure that products and services meet client needs. Experienced UX designers earn between £30,000-£50,000 per year.
- Product Designer
As a product designer, you'll create a range of items, from everyday products such as mobile phones, household appliances and cars, to larger items such as industrial tools, equipment and machinery. Starting salaries for product or junior designers are £25,000 to £35,000.
To explore more career opportunities in this exciting industry, why not take a look at our
Graphic Design courses and take that first step into your dream creative career.
Sources
Prospects
Department for Digital, Culture, Media
& Sport
