Fine Arts

What can I do with a Major in.... Fine Arts ?

Fine Artists use techniques such as drawing, painting, photography, sculpting and computers to express or interpret ideas.

Before you begin to look at the different types of opportunities available to Fine Arts majors, you must look at yourself and ask yourself a few basic questions:

What am I good at?

Understand your major strengths, skills and accomplishments. Some examples of skills and qualities employers look for are:

Computer literacy
Creativity
Interpersonal
Attention to detail
Applying artistic principles & techniques

What do I like to do?

Examine your interests. What kind of life style do I want to lead? Examine your values...is money what you're after, job security, challenging work?

If you are having trouble answering these questions, you are not alone. Make an appointment with an advisor in the Career Center. We want to help you!

POSITIONS

Once you know yourself, you are ready to decide where and how you want to apply this knowledge.

A bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and the appropriate talents and/or experience can lead to positions as:

Graphic artist
Package designer
Illustrator
Art teacher
Designer
Art restorer
Photographer
Merchandise displayer

Experience in the field or an advanced degree could lead to certain positions in:

Desktop publishing
Teaching, colleges/universities
Art therapy
Art direction
Computer animation
Set decoration/design
Fashion design
Photo journalism
Police artistry, etc..

For information on graduate schools, consult Peterson's.

EMPLOYMENT

Typical places of employment are:

Free-Lance opportunities
Corporations
Advertising firms
Newspapers
Magazines
Manufacturers
Retail/Wholesale trade
Printing firms
Publishing firms
TV & motion picture studios
Academic institutions
Museums, etc.

LEARN MORE

To help you decide which area to pursue you must do in-depth research into each area of specialization and/or industry you have an interest in.

Places to begin:

Join the Career Centers COACH Program

The Occupational Outlook Handbook

Talk to people in the field, talk to your professors, write to and/or join one of the following associations:

The American Institute of Graphic Arts 185 Varick Street New York, NY 10013 (212) 255 - 4004 www.aiga.com

Trade Publications:

• Print, R.C. Publications Inc., 104 5th Avenue, 9th Floor, NY, NY 10011, 212) 463 - 0600, Martin Fox (Bimonthly)
• Art in America
• Art Direction: The Magazine of Visual Communication
• Graphic Arts Monthly For additional lists of Associations consult the Encyclopedia of Associations.