5 answers
Jasmin
Student
Kansas City, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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Where do I start being successful?
I. I love any type of art
2. probably be an interior designer or Art teacher
3. My favorite color is yellow
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5 answers
Lexie Tonelli
Consultant
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Lexie’s Answer
Hi Jasmin,
I love yellow too! Though I'm not an artist, I'll take a stab at answering your question.
Where do you start being successful? I think you have to define what success is for you! For some folks, that means building a sustainable lifestyle with a job that satisfies they're living requirements, but that doesn't take up all of their time. Ideally, that job is related to something you enjoy doing - like art. For others, success is starting their own business. Or retiring by age 40. Or becoming their own boss (like freelancers). Its worth spending some time thinking about what "success" is to you. If that comes with a certain lifestyle or salary requirements (e.g., "I need to make $X thousand dollars a year to live a comfortable life) then that will narrow what career options you seek out. And its ok if you don't yet know the answer to this question. Its something that will evolve, but its good to start thinking about it now to help you inform your next steps when it comes to your schooling/career.
When I went to college, I majored in Math, and everyone asked me if I wanted to be a Math teacher. I didn't want to be a math teacher, but I had no idea the types of careers I could have with a math degree. I see you mentioned Art teacher in your prompt -- I would encourage you to expand your research on what art-related careers are out there! For example, my friend thought she wanted to be an Interior Designer. She majored in Interior Architecture, started her career in Branding / Design (product design and user experience (UX) design), and now works in UX Research. The company she works for is an interior design app that lets users design their spaces. So related to her initial thinking, but not necessarily the same thing.
It's worth doing some research on what careers are related to art and design, and then cross checking that with how you define succcess - hopefully that narrows down where you want to go, and you can figure out what the next step is to get there! You can start to answer questions like - what training / degree do I need to get these types of jobs? And more.
I hope this was helpful!
I love yellow too! Though I'm not an artist, I'll take a stab at answering your question.
Where do you start being successful? I think you have to define what success is for you! For some folks, that means building a sustainable lifestyle with a job that satisfies they're living requirements, but that doesn't take up all of their time. Ideally, that job is related to something you enjoy doing - like art. For others, success is starting their own business. Or retiring by age 40. Or becoming their own boss (like freelancers). Its worth spending some time thinking about what "success" is to you. If that comes with a certain lifestyle or salary requirements (e.g., "I need to make $X thousand dollars a year to live a comfortable life) then that will narrow what career options you seek out. And its ok if you don't yet know the answer to this question. Its something that will evolve, but its good to start thinking about it now to help you inform your next steps when it comes to your schooling/career.
When I went to college, I majored in Math, and everyone asked me if I wanted to be a Math teacher. I didn't want to be a math teacher, but I had no idea the types of careers I could have with a math degree. I see you mentioned Art teacher in your prompt -- I would encourage you to expand your research on what art-related careers are out there! For example, my friend thought she wanted to be an Interior Designer. She majored in Interior Architecture, started her career in Branding / Design (product design and user experience (UX) design), and now works in UX Research. The company she works for is an interior design app that lets users design their spaces. So related to her initial thinking, but not necessarily the same thing.
It's worth doing some research on what careers are related to art and design, and then cross checking that with how you define succcess - hopefully that narrows down where you want to go, and you can figure out what the next step is to get there! You can start to answer questions like - what training / degree do I need to get these types of jobs? And more.
I hope this was helpful!
Emma McFarland
Sourcing Recruiter
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Emma’s Answer
Hi Jasmin! You can start being successful by doing exactly what you are doing now - reaching out to learn more about career possibilities. For a career in the arts, I would continue learning about types of art that interest you and types of art that don't. Think about what attracts you to some artistic movements or artists and what makes you pass on others. You can develop a vocabulary to talk about the parts of artistic works in relation to other artists or to your own interpretation. As you see more art and learn more about art history, you will develop a personal sense of artistic style and taste.
Since interior designers and art teachers have very different career paths, you might want to start out by researching what a typical day would look like in each profession. Ask yourself some questions like these: Do I want to work with students or with adults? Am I energized by sharing my knowledge or by deeply understanding someone else's taste? Do I work better collaboratively or on my own? What kinds of degrees or certifications would be required for each position in my state? Do I know an interior designer or art teacher in my city?
As long as you are pursuing your interests and learning, you're already on your way to success!
P.S. My favorite color is red.
Check some books on art history and interior design out from your local library.
Since interior designers and art teachers have very different career paths, you might want to start out by researching what a typical day would look like in each profession. Ask yourself some questions like these: Do I want to work with students or with adults? Am I energized by sharing my knowledge or by deeply understanding someone else's taste? Do I work better collaboratively or on my own? What kinds of degrees or certifications would be required for each position in my state? Do I know an interior designer or art teacher in my city?
As long as you are pursuing your interests and learning, you're already on your way to success!
P.S. My favorite color is red.
Emma recommends the following next steps:
Tinley Melvin
Behavioral Researcher
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Tinley’s Answer
There are so many different ways that art can manifest into a career! Getting involved in art organizations (extracurricular programs, museums, etc.) in your community can be a great way to meet adults who have different art-related career paths that you're excited about.
Once you do meet people who have careers that sound exciting and interesting to you, ask if they can meet with you and tell you about their lives and how they got there! Ask them lots of questions and get curious. Maybe they can mentor you or even bring you to their place of work to observe!
Research art organizations and activities in your community
Connect with adults through these orgs and activities to explore different art-related careers
Ask lots of questions and get curious!
Once you do meet people who have careers that sound exciting and interesting to you, ask if they can meet with you and tell you about their lives and how they got there! Ask them lots of questions and get curious. Maybe they can mentor you or even bring you to their place of work to observe!
Tinley recommends the following next steps:
Jessica Han
Consulting
6
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Jasmin,
That's so wonderful that you love art! And even more so that you have an idea which type of art is your favorite!
As a former professional musician, I think one of the most important first steps is to make sure you learn as much as you can about art and the art you love. Examples of how you can go about doing this:
1) Go to museums that allow you to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the art you love
2) Study specific artists/designers and familiarize yourself with their style and technique as best as you can
3) Find art that you appreciate but that may not be exactly what your passion is. Think about what it is that you appreciate and why. The goal of this exercise is to 1) expose you to more art, 2) get you thinking critically and analytically about art, 3) give you the time and space to be reflective about art, 4) help you understand what you like/don't like and ultimately help you develop your own voice as a creative.
Practically, if you are interested in pursuing art as a career, there are two things you can do immediately:
1) Get lessons: You can look into art programs in your area to see if you like making art! Those classes could be painting, sculpting, design (e.g., design could be a computer class) etc. Try it! See if you like the process of creating art. :)
2) Study: If you discover you can't get enough of art, you can start learning about the different art schools around the country. Some examples to start with are: Parsons, Rhode Island School of Design, Cooper Union, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and California Institute of the Arts.
3) Ask questions: Speak to your school art teacher or teachers at local art schools! I imagine they would love to help you along your journey :)
Best of luck! Keep loving and living, and never give up :)
That's so wonderful that you love art! And even more so that you have an idea which type of art is your favorite!
As a former professional musician, I think one of the most important first steps is to make sure you learn as much as you can about art and the art you love. Examples of how you can go about doing this:
1) Go to museums that allow you to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the art you love
2) Study specific artists/designers and familiarize yourself with their style and technique as best as you can
3) Find art that you appreciate but that may not be exactly what your passion is. Think about what it is that you appreciate and why. The goal of this exercise is to 1) expose you to more art, 2) get you thinking critically and analytically about art, 3) give you the time and space to be reflective about art, 4) help you understand what you like/don't like and ultimately help you develop your own voice as a creative.
Practically, if you are interested in pursuing art as a career, there are two things you can do immediately:
1) Get lessons: You can look into art programs in your area to see if you like making art! Those classes could be painting, sculpting, design (e.g., design could be a computer class) etc. Try it! See if you like the process of creating art. :)
2) Study: If you discover you can't get enough of art, you can start learning about the different art schools around the country. Some examples to start with are: Parsons, Rhode Island School of Design, Cooper Union, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and California Institute of the Arts.
3) Ask questions: Speak to your school art teacher or teachers at local art schools! I imagine they would love to help you along your journey :)
Best of luck! Keep loving and living, and never give up :)
Myra Rivera
product management
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Myra’s Answer
Contact your school's career center to get help landing an internship at companies you admire. Magazines, television, studios, etc. Your biggest asset at this stage is your time and drive to learn. Spend it learning as much as you can and being honest with yourself about where you would like to spend your time based on experience doing the things you are interested. Give yourself the opportunity to get real life experience and use the time to learn about the people working there. Who comes to work excited about their day and the work ahead? Talk to those people about what they do and why they enjoy it. Best of luck!