Centre for Career and Personal Development Degree Profiles

These degree profiles look at potential jobs, key skills & atributes, associations & professional development and great books which relate to each degree and its potential career path.

Visual Studies

Students develop conceptual understanding in the visual arts; a foundation of knowledge and practice of artistic self-sufficiency; and the creative processes of planning needed to carry out their various studio interests.

Key Skills & Knowledge

Art recognition and interpretation: Appreciate and promote aesthetics; compare and contrast works of art.

Organizational: Manage multiple projects simultaneous; possess a high level of discipline and internally motivated work ethic; organize information and materials; careful attention to detail and observation skills.

Creativity: Possess a strong grasp of the creative process; artistic conveyance of ideas; abstract conceptualization; knowledge of popular culture and artistic events.

Communication: Strong skills in artistic and written expression; adapt ideas to different audiences; think clearly and form arguments, present theories and ideas in visual formats; convey complex information and emotions.

Interpersonal: Working as part of a team; comfortable with scrutiny and criticism; feel at ease in new situations.

Qualitative and quantitative research and writing skills: Understand history and interpret cultures, evaluate research results and present findings; think critically and analytically.

Sample Job Titles

Please note some of these positions may require further training, certification or education. Check out the occupational profiles to review the full details for the occupations that interest you at alis.alberta.ca/occinfo

Advertising Designer
Architect
Art Director
Art Therapist
Artist
Arts Administrator
Editor
Communications Coordinator
Cultural Events Planner

Curator
Designer
Desktop Publisher
Display Designer
Exhibit Designer
Graphic Designer
Historical Preservation Co-ordinator
Illustrator
Museum Coordinator

Photographer
Printmaker
Prop Building
Sculptor
Textile Designer
Teacher/Professor
Visual Merchandiser
Visual Arts Consultant

Potential Industries

Advertising Firms
Animation
Architecture
Art & Design
Art Conservation
Art Galleries
Art Therapy
Arts Administration
Auction Houses
Cartooning

Communications
Community Centres
Computer Graphics/Special Effects
Drafting
Editing
Education
Graphic Art
Hospitals and Health Care
Marketing & Promotions
Media – Electronic & Print

Medical Illustration
Museums
Painting
Post-Secondary
Photography
Publishing Houses
Sculpting
Travel & Tourism

Associations & Professional Development

Job Sites

Additional Resources

Visual Studies - More Resources

Aligned Majors

Communication and Media Studies

Drama

Film Studies

Marketing

Did you know?

Formal Career Assessments like the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator can be helpful tools for your career development. These assessments have been used for decades to help individuals choose a major, explore career options during and upon completion of a degree and to further understand yourself in relationship to the world of work. Inquire with Career Services if you are interested in these formal assessments.

Publications

Opportunities in Visual Arts Careers by Mark Salmon
ISBN: 9780071545297
Publication Date: 2008-09-19
Career Opportunities in Art by Susan H. Haubenstock; David Joselit; Elise Rosen (Editor); Karen Bressler (Editor)
ISBN: 0816042454
Publication Date: 2001-03-01
Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors by Blythe Camenson
ISBN: 0071482148
Publication Date: 2007-09-11