| Design graduates can find it takes time to become established. Two factors that are crucial to your success are thoroughly researching your chosen career area, and making contacts through networking. The resources and employer directories below should help you begin this process.
A report on the long term career paths of art and design graduates indicated that almost a third of the respondents who have graduated from Three Dimensional Design courses have done some teaching or lecturing. Also, that Three Dimensional Design graduates are the most likely to have been self employed at some stage since graduating. Whilst a high proportion have been in full time employment at some point, this can be a very competitive profession.
See some of the success stories from the University of Plymouth.
Overview of options
Prospects has a document titled " Product/ industrial design: Where to start , which is a useful starting point, including information about jobs relating to your degree, main areas of employment, skills gained on your course, further study opportunities and useful contacts and resources. Whilst all Designers will find this information of interest it is of particular relevance to Product Designers. " Art and design: Where to start" is another more general resource, it consists of useful information about jobs, skills and further study opportunities.
Product/ Industrial Designers typically find work with two main groups of employers: manufacturers with their own in-house design departments and design consultancies. The manufacturing companies can consist of consumer and electronic products; leisure and sport; toy design; furniture and various other household goods and appliances.
A high number of Furniture Designers are self employed crafts people, although others, like Product Designers, find work within consultancy practices and manufacturing companies.
Interior Designers typically work for architectural practices or design consultancies, or become self employed. However, it is uncommon to set up a business in this field without first gaining experience and building up a reputation and contact list.
Ceramicists and other craft based designers are mostly self employed and run their own business. They may sell their products directly through their own outlet or through galleries and shops. An alternative to this is to find work within large ceramics production companies.
If you are unsure with where to start, our Career Planning pages may help you to formulate some ideas
Job profiles
These job profiles include information about what different jobs involve, qualifications and experience needed for them and useful information about professional bodies and vacancy sources. You may also find the information on the Architecture options page of use.
Case studies
Furniture Designer and CAD Technician: David
Freelance Production Designer: Florian
Professional and trade organisations
BFM The association for British Furniture Manufacturers trade association and employers organisation, which represents the furniture industry. The site includes useful industry links, a news centre and company directory
BIDA The British Interior Design Association enables you to search for designers and corporate suppliers. Also has a careers information section
CHARTERED SOCIETY OF DESIGNERS (CSD) provides a range of services for members including a list of recruitment agencies
dba (The Design Business Association) provides members with events, awards, advice, training and information on all aspects of the design industry
The BJA (British Jewellers' Association) represents the interests of over 600 member companies, large and small, involved in all aspects of jewellery and silverware production. The site contacts information on industry news, events, training, publications and links
Westcountry Potters Association for news, events and members contact details
Magazines
Cabinet Maker magazine for the UK furniture trade. Can subscribe to the magazine, or the website gives you access to some of the information and articles. The website also has a directory of over 11,000 furniture and furnishings industry contacts, market information, links to useful organisations and associations, and a recruitment section with agents and some jobs
Ceramic Review international magazine of ceramic art and craft
designWEEK enables subscribers to access news, articles and advertised jobs
Other useful resources
100%design an example of a well known design exhibition, with news and events to enable you to make contacts and network
AA2A Artists Access to Art Colleges national set of schemes, providing visual artists and makers the opportunity to undertake a period of research or realise a project, using workshop and supporting facilities in fine art and design departments
an (The Artists Information Company) enables subscribers to access information about opportunities and organisations as well as advice on professional practices and working in the arts
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND provides information about current projects, funding and opportunities happening across the country. Has direct links to Arts Council South West, which details events and news about what is going on in this region, as well as contact details, funding information and useful links. Also has a publication on the crafts industry in the South West
Crafts Council provides information, bursaries, workshop space, and events for all areas of craft. You are able to subscribe to the Crafts Magazine from this site
Creative Choices job profiles, ideas, stories, information from all aspects of the creative industries
designboom covering the fields of art, design & architecture
Design Council online information resource centre for all aspects of design
Design Directory online portal for designers
design FACTORY East Midland's leading creative development agency
design nation educational resource for designers
Hidden Art:London not-for-profit membership organisation that supports and promotes UK designers and designer-makers
International directory of design by PP (Penrose Press) is an international design search engine and directory (including search categories such as conferences, museums, event organisers and publishers)
NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) is funded by an endowment from the National Lottery, supporting people of exceptional talent and imagination
Self employment
If you are interested in becoming self employed you may wish to view our self employment section, which includes information specifically for the creative industries. The Formation Zone based in the Roland Levinsky building can offer support, space and resources to help you develop your creative business idea.
Useful links
devon artsculture provides business support and development for people involved in the creative arts who live in certain areas of Devon
enterprise pavilion for graduates starting their own business within the creative industries sector
Page last updated August 2010 |
