Great Careers for Creatives

Love creating new things? Or are you just full of awesome ideas? Either way, art isn’t just a hobby. No matter your medium—you can turn your obsession for creativity into a fulfilling career.

It’s never too early or too late to put your passions into practice. Don’t let inaccurate stereotypes, like the “starving artist,” stop you from working towards your dream job. Even if you don’t know what that job is yet.

Take a look below at some creative careers for all talents and abilities. Meaning you don’t have to see yourself as an “artist” to be creative.

Makeup Artist

Who knew people could be canvases too? With a brush in hand, you can transform someone’s look. Plus, you’ll always know what’s up with beauty trends.

Makeup artists:
  • Enhance or change physical features
  • Test and review new products
  • Work with performers and actors
  • Write for beauty and style magazines
What you’ll need:
  • No diploma to a certificate or associate’s degree
  • Possibly some specialized programs
  • Hands-on experience—try makeup counters or local stage productions (even haunted houses)
Some details:
  • Could make $21,000 to $127,000 (a year)
  • Do anything from special effects and prosthetics to high fashion and big events
  • Great skills to have: creativity, physical stamina, good time-management, and a passion for working with others

What else could you do? Be a costume designer or nail technician.

Choreographers

Share your love and passion for dancing with the world. Create your own routines and make everyone else learn them.

Choreographers:
  • Teach dance movements and routines
  • Keep up with new types of dance
  • Audition dancers for dance companies
  • Help with costume design, lighting, and other artistic aspects
What you’ll need:
  • No diploma to a master’s degrees
  • Training from dance programs
  • Experience—most choreographers begin as dancers
Some details:
  • Could make $10 to $44 (an hour)
  • Work in dance schools, theaters, dance companies, and movie studios
  • Great skills to have: creativity, athleticism, leadership, and a passion for collaboration

What else could you do? Be an actor or dance teacher.

Sound Engineer

Without you, all films would be silent! Record audio and run broadcast equipment to create sounds for everything from TV and radio to theater.

Sound engineers:
  • Operate equipment for theater, radio programs, TV, sound recordings, and movies
  • Manage sound and related tasks—like lighting—for events and live performances
  • Line up sounds and dialogue with action on TV or in movies
  • Edit and finalize audio and video
What you’ll need:
  • A high school diploma to associate’s degree
  • Some computer and technical skills
Some details:
  • Could make $23,000 to $85,000 (a year)
  • Different types of sound engineers: audio and video equipment technicians, broadcast technicians, and sound mixers
  • Great skills to have: handiness, creativity, communication, and a passion for the technology

What else could you do? Be an electrical engineering technician or camera operator.

Copywriter

Be a voice for brands all over the world. Collaborate with creative teams, concept ideas, and write advertising copy.

Copywriters:
  • Tell new stories with every client or project
  • Understand, connect, and write for all audiences
  • Provide ideas and create content from scratch
  • Concept and pitch ideas to clients
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • A portfolio—like your own website
Some details:
  • Could make $30,000 to $118,000 (a year)
  • Industries you can work in public relations, advertising, and marketing
  • Great skills to have: flexibility, creativity, social perceptiveness, and a passion for writing

What else could you do? Be an editor or technical writer.

Art Director

Give brands all over the world an individual look. Collaborate with creative teams, concept ideas, and create designs while directing others.

Art directors:
  • Tell visual stories through design
  • Develop the style of publications, advertising campaigns, or physical sets
  • Manage graphic designers, set and exhibit designers, or other design staff
  • Develop artistic approaches and present them
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree to master’s degree
  • Some experience—try starting out as a graphic designer
Some details:
  • Could make $51,000 to $170,000 (a year)
  • Work in industries like publishing, advertising and public relations, museums and theaters, and TV or movie productions
  • Great skills to have: communication, leadership, creativity, and a passion for the visual arts

What else could you do? Be a graphic designer or multimedia artist.

Interior Designer

Make people walk into a room and go “wow.” Design interior spaces—either public or private—that are functional and beautiful.

Interior designers:
  • Design around how a space is used
  • Create design plans and oversee installation
  • Decide what a space needs and how to find it or build it
  • Shop and decorate, like daily
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Training in interior design, drawing, and computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Possibly a state-required license
Some details:
  • Could make $27,000 to $93,000 (a year)
  • Work as a corporate designer, healthcare designer, sustainable designer, or universal designer
  • Great skills to have: detail-oriented, social, artistic, and a passion for problem-solving through creativity

What else could you do? Be an architect or landscape architect.

Video Game Designer

Don’t just play games, make them. Collaborate with teams to design core video game features—from mechanics to story and characters.

Video game designers:
  • Develop gameplay concepts and experiences
  • Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles in gameplay
  • Lead development teams
  • Guide overall game design
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • A knowledge of necessary software
Some details:
  • Could make $39,000 to $123,000 (a year)
  • Design games for mobile, PC, or console
  • Great skills to have: creativity, communication, artistic, and a passion for digital and interactive arts

What else could you do? Be a video game creative director or a video game level editor.

Producer

Ever wanted to be in charge of everything? Help create everything from movies to live theater at every step of the way—from casting to final product.

Producers:
  • Oversee production, like performances, lighting, and sets
  • Supervise postproduction—like editing, special effects, and music
  • Make the calls when it comes to business and financial decisions
  • Ensure projects stay on schedule and in budget
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Some work experience—start out as an intern or production assistant
Some details:
  • Could make $33,000 to $164,000 (a year)
  • Work in industries like film, TV, advertising, theater and other performing arts productions
  • Great skills to have: communication, creativity, time-management, a passion for leading

What else could you do? Be a director or video editor.

Curator

Bring museums (or galleries) to life. Acquire, design, and oversee exhibit collections of artwork and historic items.

Curators:
  • Select, plan, and supervise exhibits
  • Clean objects such as ancient tools, coins, and statues
  • Design, organize, and conduct tours and workshops
  • Research, authenticate, evaluate, and categorize projects
What you’ll need:
  • A master’s degree in art history, history, archaeology, or museum studies
  • Some experience may be required—like an internship
Some details:
  • Could make $26,000 to $85,000 (a year)
  • Travel to evaluate collections, organize exhibits, and conduct research
  • Great skills to have: logic, organizational, collaboration, and a passion for art and art history

What else could you do? Be an anthropologist or archeologist.

With so many creative careers out there, why not follow your passion? You can love what you do!