The Designer
When someone needs an innovative solution, you’re the one they turn to. A creative career is calling your name! Read on to discover what kinds of jobs and opportunities suit you.
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Creative
You’ve got an active imagination, and you’re always dreaming up new ideas.
Open-minded
While some might shy away from the unknown, you relish the opportunity to try something new.
Discerning
It’s undeniable — you’ve got great taste. You know what you like (and don’t like).
Congratulations! You are the Designer. Inventive, open-minded, and stylish, you bring a creative approach to everything that you do. You’re probably known as ‘the creative one’, and you feel most alive when you’re bringing new ideas to life. In your spare time, we’ll probably find you stuck into arts and crafts, dancing, cooking, or even creative writing.
Because of your curious nature and interest in the arts, you’re drawn toward jobs that involve finding new ways to solve problems, potentially using technology. If you’re looking for some career inspiration, some good places to start are in the arts, design, engineering, or architecture sectors.
Design is intelligence made visible.”
— Alina Wheeler, author
Six high-potential jobs for you
There’s more to Designer jobs than graphic design, although that is a popular option. There are many kinds of problems that require creative problem-solving, as well as the ability to consistently pull off high-quality projects.
These careers could be your perfect fit:
1. Interior designer
Design beautiful, functional spaces for living, working, and everything in between. Work collaboratively with clients and contractors throughout the design process.
AVERAGE SALARY2. User experience (UX) designer
Improve how users interact with digital products and services, like websites and apps. Conduct user research, prototype, test with users and present design solutions.
AVERAGE SALARY3. Building designer
Translate ideas for buildings into reality. Develop designs and help with renovating and constructing homes, businesses and public facilities for clients.
AVERAGE SALARY4. Photographer
Create photographs that represent a subject or convey a message in a particular way. Use camera and studio equipment and image editing software to achieve specific results.
AVERAGE SALARY5. Fashion designer
Design the clothes, shoes, and accessories people wear. Research trends, develop designs, choose materials, and instruct producers how to construct them.
AVERAGE SALARY6. Motion designer
Create 2d and 3d artwork, and bring it to life with animation and motion sequences. You'll work to briefs, and liaise with clients to convey intended messages and effects.
AVERAGE SALARYTransferable skills
There are several core transferable skills you’ll build upon throughout your career. To build a great career in the Designer cluster, you’ll want to focus on:
Project management skills
Planning
Quality assurance
Time management
Problem-solving skills
Problem-solving
Lateral thinking
Research
Technical skills
While technical skills depend largely on the industry or occupation you’re in, some Designer skills in demand are:
Developing concepts
In design and creative roles, you need to be able to generate lots of ideas. Then, you whittle them down to the best ones and polish them until they’re ready to present to the client, and iterate as needed. You can pick up this skill through study.
Estimating project scope and costs
It’s not all creative thinking — clients need you to be able to provide quotes for projects, so you must be able to ask good questions and discover what they need. In some roles, you’ll also need to coordinate with suppliers or freelancers to get the resources necessary.
Designing with computers
In previous years, you’d find creatives working with paper folios and bent over drawing tables. Much of today’s creative work, however, happens on a screen. Being comfortable with the right program for the job is a must.
Subjects you may enjoy
Dreaming of all the different careers out there? These subjects can lead to jobs that will use your natural talents and abilities, while keeping you challenged and engaged.
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