What Are My Career Options in Design Management?
Design management could apply to many employment settings, allowing you the chance to manage accounts, clients and employees while working to bring concepts and ideas to the visual forefront. For example, you could work as an art director, graphic design manager or industrial design manager. Read on to learn more about these career options and their requirements. Schools offering Art degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Career Overview
With a background and/or education in design management, you could follow several career paths, including the two discussed below. In the business world, your experience in design management shows potential employers that you are creative and innovative. You can lead groups and employees on projects that require learning, building and development in many business settings. Using creative theories and practices, you can bring marketing and communication tools to product development and research. Some possible job titles include art director, graphic design manager and industrial designer.
Important Facts About Careers in Design Management
| Art Director | Graphic Design Managers | Industrial Design Managers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Skills | Creativity, communication and time-management skills | Communication, computer, and creative skills | Analytical, problem-solving, and creative skills |
| Work Environment | Advertising agencies, publishing companies and specialized design services | Design services, newspapers, and wholesale trade | Manufacturing, specialized design services, and wholesale trade |
| Similar Occupations | Fashion designers, photographers, and writers/authors | Desktop publishers, drafters and technical writers | Architects, art directors, and fashion designers |
| On-the-Job Training | None | None | None |
Source: U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics
Art Director
One career path you can explore with a design management background is to become an art director. You could find employment in any creative capacity that uses illustrations, art work, designs or ads, and you'd work with a team of creative individuals and clients. Managing accounts, you would edit and write copy, ensuring that the final project meets concepts and visions.
Requirements
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recommends having a bachelor's degree in arts or fine arts to enter this field, but if you want to be a manager, a master's degree is preferred (www.bls.gov). Before advancing to the position of art director, you usually need to work in another art role for at least five years, according to the BLS. For example, you might start as a fine artist or graphic designer.
Job Growth and Salary
According to the BLS, employment in this field could increase by two percent between 2014 and 2024, which is slower than average. As of May 2014, the median wage for this occupation was $85,610. Most art directors earned between $45,060 and $168,040 per year at that time.
Graphic Design Managers
Another career option to explore is graphic design management. As a graphic design manager, you would work for clients and companies, supervising those who create visual illustrations, graphics and other artwork pertaining to your client's or team's vision. Working with computers and graphics software, you would prepare accounts of images and artwork, determining layouts and final decisions.
Requirements
The BLS notes that a bachelor's degree in graphic design would suffice for this field, but in researching design management master's programs, for management, you could consider pursuing a master's degree. The BLS notes that after you gain between one and three years of experience as a graphic designer, you might advance to a position such as art director or chief designer.
Job Outlook and Salary
According to the BLS, the field of graphic design is expected to experience little or no change in job growth from 2014-2024. PayScale.com reported in September 2015 that graphic design managers earned a median income of $55,293 with most earning from $34,153-$85,046.
Industrial Design Managers
As an industrial design manager, you would supervise the design of new products, such as toys, consumer electronics, furniture, medical equipment and vehicles. This career requires an engineering background along with artistic ability and business expertise. The product development process involves planning the design, creating a prototype and getting both the design and prototype approved.
Requirements
While industrial designers typically need just a bachelor's degree, you might earn a master's degree in business if you're interested in a leadership role, such as chief designer. You also need to gain work experience in industrial design before you can advance to a management role.
Job Outlook and Salary
Industrial designers in general should see an employment growth of two percent over the 2014-2024 decade, according to the BLS. Although PayScale.com didn't list salary data for the specific job title of industrial design manager, it reported that product design managers earned a median wage of $75,512 in 2015, and that most of these managers made between $43,487 and $122,996.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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