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Text File | 1995-10-24 | 15.3 KB | 310 lines

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Visual Artists

(D.O.T.  102.261-014; 141.031-010; .061-010, -014, -018, -022, -026,
-030 and -034; .081-010; 142.061-030; 144; 149.041, and .261; and
970.131-014, and .361-018)

Nature of the Work

Visual artists use an almost limitless variety of methods and
materials to communicate ideas, thoughts, and feelings.  They use
oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, magic markers, pencils, pen
and ink, silkscreen, plaster, clay, or any of a number of other
media, including computers, to create realistic and abstract works
or images of objects, people, nature, topography, or events.

   Visual artists generally fall into one of two categories graphic
artists and fine artists depending not so much on the medium, but on
the artist's purpose in creating a work of art.  Graphic artists put
their artistic skills and vision at the service of commercial
clients, such as major corporations, retail stores, and advertising,
design, or publishing firms.  Fine artists, on the other hand, often
create art to satisfy their own need for self-expression, and may
display their work in museums, corporate collections, art galleries,
and private homes.  Some of their work may be done on request from
clients, but not as exclusively as that of graphic artists.

   Fine artists usually work independently, choosing whatever subject
matter and medium suits them.  Usually, they specialize in one or
two forms of art.  Painters generally work with two-dimensional art
forms.  Using techniques of shading, perspective, and color-mixing,
painters produce works that depict realistic scenes or may evoke
different moods and emotions, depending on the artist's goals.

   Sculptors design three-dimensional art works either molding and
joining materials such as clay, glass, wire, plastic, or metal, or
cutting and carving forms from a block of plaster, wood, or stone.
Some sculptors combine various materials such as concrete, metal,
wood, plastic, and paper.

   Printmakers create printed images from designs cut into wood, stone,
or metal, or from computer driven data.  The designs may be engraved
as in the case of woodblocking; etched as in the production of
etchings; or derived from computers in the form of inkjet or laser
prints.

   Painting restorers preserve and restore damaged and faded paintings.
They apply solvents and cleaning agents to clean the surfaces,
reconstruct or retouch damaged areas, and apply preservatives to
protect the paintings.

   Fine artists may sell their works to stores, commercial art
galleries, and museums, or directly to collectors.  Commercial
galleries may sell artists' works on consignment.  The gallery and
artist predetermine how much each earns from a sale.  Only the most
successful fine artists are able to support themselves solely
through sale of their works, however.  Most fine artists hold other
jobs as well.  Those with teaching certification may teach art in
elementary or secondary schools, while those with a master's or
Ph.D.  degree may teach in colleges or universities.  Some fine
artists work in arts administration in city, State, or Federal arts
programs.  Others may work as art critics, art consultants, or as
directors or representatives in fine art galleries; give private art
lessons; or as curators setting up art exhibits in museums.
Sometimes fine artists work in a totally unrelated field in order to
support their careers as artists.

   Graphic artists, whether freelancers or employed by a firm, use a
variety of print, electronic, and film media to create art that
meets a client's needs.  Graphic artists are increasingly using
computers, instead of the traditional tools such as pens, pencils,
scissors, and color strips, to produce their work.  Computers enable
them to lay out and test various designs, formats, and colors before
printing a final design.

   Graphic artists perform different jobs depending on their area of
expertise.  Graphic designers, who design on a two-dimensional
level, may create packaging and promotional displays for a new
product, the visual design of an annual report and other corporate
literature, or a distinctive logo for a product or business.  They
also help with the layout and design of magazines, newspapers,
journals, and other publications, and create graphics for
television.  Illustrators paint or draw pictures for books,
magazines, and other publications, films, and paper products,
including greeting cards, calenders, wrapping paper, and stationery.
Many do a variety of illustrations, while others specialize in a
particular style.  Medical and scientific illustrators combine
artistic skills with knowledge of the biological sciences.  Medical
illustrators draw illustrations of human anatomy and surgical
procedures.  Scientific illustrators draw illustrations of animals
and plants.  These illustrations are used in medical and scientific
publications, and in audiovisual presentations for teaching
purposes.  Medical illustrators also work for lawyers, producing
exhibits for court cases, and for doctors.  Fashion artists draw
illustrations of women's, men's, and children's clothing and
accessories for newspapers, magazines, and other media.

   Some illustrators draw story boards for TV commercials.  Story
boards present TV commercials in a series of scenes similar to a
comic strip, so an advertising agency and client (the company doing
the advertising) can evaluate proposed commercials.  Story boards
may also serve as guides to placement of actors and cameras and to
other details during the production of commercials.

   Cartoonists draw political, advertising, social, and sports
cartoons.  Some cartoonists work with others who create the idea or
story and write the captions.  Most cartoonists, however, have
humorous, critical, or dramatic talents in addition to drawing
skills.

   Animators work in the motion picture and television industries.
They draw by hand and use computers to create the large series of
pictures which, when transferred to film or tape, form the animated
cartoons seen in movies and on TV.

   Art directors, also called visual journalists, read the material to
be printed in periodicals, newspapers, and other printed media, and
decide how to visually present the information in an eye-catching,
yet organized manner.  They make decisions about which photographs
or artwork to use, and in general oversee production of the printed
material.

   The need for self-expression motivates many fine artists.

Working Conditions

Graphic and fine artists generally work in art and design studios
located in office buildings or their own homes.  While their
surroundings are usually well lighted and ventilated, odors from
glues, paint, ink, or other materials may be present.

   Graphic artists employed by publishing companies and art and design
studios generally work a standard 40-hour week.  During busy
periods, they may work overtime to meet deadlines.  Self-employed
graphic artists can set their own hours, but may spend much time and
effort selling their services to potential customers or clients and
establishing a reputation.

Employment

Visual artists held about 273,000 jobs in 1992.  About 3 out of 5
were self-employed.  Self-employed artists are either graphic
artists who freelance, offering their services to advertising
agencies, publishing firms, and other businesses, or fine artists
who earn income when they sell a painting or other art work.

   Of the artists who were not self-employed, most were graphic artists
who worked for advertising agencies, design firms, commercial art
and reproduction firms, or publishing firms.  Others were employed
by manufacturing firms, department stores, the motion picture
industry, and government agencies.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

In the fine arts field, formal training requirements do not exist,
but it is very difficult to become skilled enough to make a living
without some basic training.  Bachelor's and graduate degree
programs in fine arts are offered in many colleges and universities.
In the graphic arts field, demonstrated ability and appropriate
training or other qualifications are needed for success.  Evidence
of appropriate talent and skill shown in the portfolio is an
important factor used by art and design directors and others in
deciding whether to hire or contract out work to an artist.  The
portfolio is a collection of handmade, computer-generated, or
printed examples of the artist's best work.  In theory, a person
with a good portfolio but no training or experience could succeed in
graphic arts.  In reality, assembling a successful portfolio
requires skills generally developed in a postsecondary art or design
school program, such as a bachelor's degree program in fine art,
graphic design, or visual communications.  Internships also provide
excellent opportunities for artists and designers to develop and
enhance their portfolios.  Most programs in art and design also
provide training in computer design techniques.  This training is
becoming increasingly important as a qualification for many jobs in
commercial art.

   The appropriate training and education for prospective medical
illustrators is more specific.  Medical illustrators must not only
demonstrate artistic ability but also have a detailed knowledge of
living organisms, surgical and medical procedures, and human and
sometimes animal anatomy.  A 4-year bachelor's degree combining art
and pre-medical courses is usually required, followed by a master's
degree in medical illustration, a degree offered in only a few
accredited schools in the United States.

   Persons hired in advertising agencies or graphic design studios
often start with relatively routine work.  While doing this work,
however, they may observe and practice their skills on the side.
Many graphic artists work part time as free-lancers while continuing
to hold a full-time job until they get established.  Others have
enough talent, perseverance, and confidence in their ability to
start out freelancing full-time immediately after they graduate from
art school.  Many freelance part time while still in school in order
to develop experience and a portfolio of published work.

   The freelance artist develops a set of clients who regularly
contract for work.  Some successful freelancers are widely
recognized for their skill in specialties such as children's book
illustration, design, or magazine illustration.  These artists can
earn high incomes and can pick and choose the type of work they do.

   Fine artists and illustrators advance as their work circulates and
as they establish a reputation for a particular style.  The best
artists and illustrators continue to grow in ideas, and their work
constantly evolves over time.  Graphic artists may advance to
assistant art director, art director, design director, and in some
companies, creative director of an art or design department.  Some
may gain enough skill to succeed as a freelancer or may prefer to
specialize in a particular area.  Others decide to open their own
businesses.

Job Outlook

The graphic and fine arts fields have a glamorous and exciting
image.  Many people with a love for drawing and creative ability
qualify for entry to these fields.  As a result, there is expected
to be keen competition for both salaried jobs and freelance work,
especially in fine arts.  Freelance work may be hard to come by,
especially at first, and many free-lancers earn very little until
they acquire experience and establish a good reputation.

   Employment of visual artists, overall, is expected to grow about as
fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005.
Demand for the work of graphic artists will be strong as producers
of information, goods, and services put even more emphasis on visual
appeal in product design, advertising, marketing, and television.
Employment growth for graphic designers, however, may be limited by
increases in productivity due to computers, and because some firms
are turning to employees without formal artistic or design training
to operate computer-aided design systems.  Employment of fine
artists is expected to grow because of population growth, rising
incomes, and growth in the number of people who appreciate fine
arts.

   Despite the expected employment growth, the supply of those seeking
entry to this field will continue to exceed requirements.  Fine
artists, in particular, may find it difficult to earn a living
solely by selling their artwork.  Nonetheless, graphic arts studios,
clients, and galleries alike are always on the lookout for artists
who display outstanding talent, creativity, and style.  Talented
artists who have developed a mastery of artistic techniques and
skills, and in many cases computer skills, should continue to be in
great demand.

Earnings

Median earnings for salaried visual artists who usually work full
time were about $23,000 a year in 1992.  The middle 50 percent
earned between $17,600 and $30,800 a year.  The top 10 percent
earned more than $43,500, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than
$14,600.

   The average salary for those working in design/graphic arts was
$20,800 in 1992, according to the College placement Council.

   According to the Society of Publication Designers, entry level
graphic designers earned between $21,000 and $24,000 annually.

   Earnings for self-employed visual artists vary widely.  Those
struggling to gain experience and a reputation may be forced to
charge what amounts to less than the minimum wage for their work.
Well-established free-lancers and fine artists may earn much more
than salaried artists.  Self-employed artists do not receive
benefits such as paid holidays, sick leave, health insurance, or
pensions.

Related Occupations

Many occupations in the advertising industry, such as account
executive or creative director, are related to commercial and
graphic art and design.  Workers in other occupations which apply
visual art skills are architects, display workers, floral designers,
industrial designers, interior designers, landscape architects, and
photographers.  The various printing occupations are also related to
graphic art, as is the work of art and design teachers.

Sources of Additional Information

   Students in high school or college who are interested in careers as
illustrators should contact:

   The Society of Illustrators, 128 East 63rd St., New York, NY
10021-7392.

   The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, 11250 Roger
Bacon Dr., Suite 21, Reston, VA 22090-5202.

   For information on careers in medical illustration, contact:

   The Association of Medical Illustrators, 1819 Peachtree St.  NE.,
Suite 560, Atlanta, GA 30309-1848.

   For information on careers in scientific illustration, contact:

   Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, P.O.  Box 652, Ben Franklin
Station, Washington, DC 20044-0652.

   For information on careers in graphic design, contact:

   The American Institute of Graphic Arts, 1059 3rd Ave., New York, NY
10021-7602.

   For information on art careers in the publishing industry, contact:

   The Society of Publication Designers, 60 East 42nd St., Suite 721,
New York, NY 10165-1416.


Performing Arts Occupations