What does an artist do?

The responsibilities of any working artist are highly specific to the requirements and demands of their medium and the industry they work in. When working as an artist, some of your daily duties may include: working on client briefs, providing quotes on creative content, generating material and ideas for specific projects, advising clients on industry specific trends and keeping a strong administrative process if you are a freelancer.

Tasks:

  • Providing job specific quotes
  • Creatively liaising with prospective employers
  • Meeting job deadlines
  • Generating a portfolio of work
  • Creating a body of work

What skills do I need to be an artist?

Being an artist in any medium requires a strong ability to communicate with all manner of people, from prospective employers, collaborators and commissioning clients. Many aspects of the creative industry and the creative process demand the need to be able to listen to and understand what other people require and the ability to properly communicate your ideas. This is also coupled with the application of your skills to generating a body of creative work.

Skills/attributes
  • Creative skills across a chosen medium e.g painting, sculpting, digital media
  • Good communication and listening skills
  • Ability to articulate ideas and speak in non technical terms
  • Capable of dealing with the stress of deadlines and expectations
  • Networking and meeting people for potential future employment
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Specialisations

Being an artist involves a vast number of potential occupations. Depending on what you are most passionate about, you can apply and develop your skills depending on what you love doing the most.

Stills photographer

A stills photographer has a thorough knowledge of cameras and related equipment, using them to generate photographs for a variety of different artistic and commercial purposes. Some of the particular fields a photographer may work in are: food photography, fashion photography, behind the scenes stills and photography for use in commercials and digital content.

Video content producer

The booming world of online content and marketing through social media has seen a high demand for people specialising in the moving image. Video content producers work to company and client briefs to produce film and video footage that meets the brief’s requirements, whether it be comedic, informative, dramatic or just for advertising. Video content producers can create digital media for a wide range of purposes.

Performance artist

Performance artists are hired on a temporary basis to create a form of conceptual art, across a number of mediums, which are designed for a particular space. The working environment for a performance artist may vary depending on the client and requires the ability to self generate works of art for the commissioned or prospective basis for its use in a certain space.

Study pathways for beauticians

Depending on your chosen medium and passion, there are a number of employment and educational options ready for you to get a head start in the booming creative industry.

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Getting Started

Pick a course that is tailored to your love and passions.

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Skill Building

Hone your craft during your educational period by working on your chosen specialisation.

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Professional Development

Increase your chances of employment by building your portfolio and qualifications.

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Industry Recognition

Industry certification is heavily reliant upon which industry you work in and the required qualifications, if any, of your chosen medium.

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Getting a job after graduation

Put your training to good use and get the best professional head start in your design career. Emphasise your personal strengths and achievements in your resume and target your cover letter to the job description listed.

Job Prospects and Salaries

Employment opportunities and job openings in visual arts and crafts is forecasted to be low.

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