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First, some facts. Of the Design and Applied Arts graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 62 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Design and Applied Arts graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 20% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Design and Applied Arts graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Modern Science and Arts University with a Bachelor's degree in Design and Applied Arts. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCharacter Designer, Storyboard Artists, and Illustrations Shamseya for Innovative Healthcare Solutions Nov 2020 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
In examining the LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with a degree in Design and Applied Arts, it's evident that a variety of career paths have emerged. Many of these jobs showcase a wide range of relevance to their academic training, varying significantly from deeply artistic roles, like Graphic Designer or Interior Designer, to positions less tied to their field, such as Sales Associate or Team Leader in non-design-centric roles. While it’s clear that numerous graduates have successfully landed jobs that leverage their design skills, many have also ventured into roles that diverge from the creative realm, often focusing on managerial, sales, or customer service responsibilities.
The most common type of job among these graduates is within the realm of graphic design. Many individuals have held titles such as Graphic Designer, Junior Graphic Designer, or Freelance Designer, which directly utilize the artistic competencies and design knowledge acquired from their degree. These roles typically demand a daily application of design principles, making them highly relevant and aligned with their educational background. Other roles, like Art Director and UX Designer, also demonstrate a strong connection to design and applied arts, showcasing leadership and advanced skills in creative direction. The presence of positions like Interior Designer within the profiles further solidifies that graduates have the capacity to pursue careers that intensely involve their design training.
In contrast, a notable number of graduates have taken on jobs that do not fully engage their design education. For instance, roles such as Sales Associate, Customer Service Representative, and Marketing Specialist, while occasionally utilizing some design-related skills, primarily center around customer interaction and operational tasks rather than applying the core design knowledge they learned. This trend indicates a potential gap between the degree obtained and the job market, where many design graduates may find themselves securing positions that do not resonate with their creative aspirations. It raises an important discussion around the value of a design degree in a diverse job market, where graduates may need to adapt their skills to fit into various non-design roles to gain initial work experience.
Overall, while there is a clear pathway for many graduates into fulfilling design-oriented jobs, the reality also reflects a significant number of them navigating into less relevant roles that might not fully utilize their creative potential. This dichotomy highlights both the opportunities available to those with a Design and Applied Arts degree and the challenges they face in establishing a career that aligns with their passion and training.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Design and Applied Arts graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Design and Applied Arts, it seems there’s a broad spectrum of successes and challenges faced by these individuals after they leave school. Right out of college, many of them land jobs in roles that align somewhat with their degree, but that doesn't always mean they stay in those fields. For instance, some of the first positions after graduation include sales associate roles and various entry-level design jobs, but it doesn't always lead directly into a solid career path in design. A significant number of people take on internships, freelance gigs, or jobs that are not directly related to design or the arts. This might suggest that while they are gaining experience, it can often be a challenging road to meaningful, full-time employment in their field.
Five to ten years down the line, you often start to see more defined career paths. Some graduates do manage to climb the ladder in their respective fields, moving into managerial roles or specializing further in their domain, like graphic design, branding, or UX/UI roles. Those who found their footing in design roles tend to stick around and move into senior positions, while others venture into entrepreneurial paths, like founding their own businesses or consulting agencies. However, it's also striking to see individuals who have entirely drifted away from design-related jobs, finding themselves in roles that don’t align with their degree at all. This split suggests that while some graduates thrive, others struggle to maintain a sustainable career trajectory in their trained fields, potentially leading to dissatisfaction and job-hopping in search of something that fits.
Overall, if you're considering a degree in Design and Applied Arts, it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, there are graduates who forge successful careers that are closely related to their education. On the other hand, there’s a notable portion who end up in unrelated fields or struggle to find their place within the design world. Like any career path, it comes down to a combination of persistence, networking, and seizing opportunities as they arise. So, it's essential to stay proactive, be adaptable, and perhaps be ready to pivot if your dream job doesn't materialize immediately after graduation.
A Bachelor degree in Design and Applied Arts can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. On one hand, if you’re passionate about creativity and enjoy working on design projects, you might find it pretty engaging and manageable. But on the flip side, it can also be pretty demanding—lots of hands-on work, deadlines for projects, and the need to constantly critique and improve your designs. If you're not super into putting in the hours and being open to feedback, it might feel a bit overwhelming. Overall, it’s probably average in terms of difficulty, but your enthusiasm and effort can make a huge difference!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Design and Applied Arts.
Looking at the career paths of these design grads, it seems like quite a few have landed solid jobs that could potentially pay decently. For instance, the San Diego State graduate working as a GTM Associate Manager at Deckers Brands likely makes a good salary, especially after jumping from entry-level positions to management roles. Similarly, the Nike designer who progressed from a junior role to senior color designer is probably raking in a nice income. However, not everyone seems to be on the same trajectory; some graduates are stuck in lower-paying or part-time gigs, like the graphic designer who worked as a barista while holding multiple freelance positions. It appears the potential for making decent money is there, but it really depends on how people navigate their careers and the industries they target.
Overall, while some grads are definitely experiencing financial success, others appear to be hovering in entry-level or freelance roles that may not provide the best financial stability. With the fields they’re in, like graphic design and marketing, there's a lot of room for growth, especially if they keep building their skills and gaining experience in larger companies or more specialized areas. So, it really varies from person to person, but there are definitely some who’ve figured it out and are likely doing just fine.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Design and Applied Arts. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Design and Applied Arts (ordered by the average relevance score of their Design and Applied Arts graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: