Do you have a creative side that doesn’t get enough airtime? Are you looking for a way to creatively express yourself and bring your hidden talents to light? A career in art, design or marketing can feel like a long shot. But if you’re passionate about something, don’t give up! There is a way to make your creative dreams come true – by describing your work in a way that will engage potential employers and allow you to shine.
Self-expression
These days, more and more people are becoming comfortable with sharing their creative side with the world. Whether they’re posting images of their work on social media or setting up an online art gallery, the internet has made it easier than ever for creative individuals to find an audience and show off their talent. The key to finding success in this field is to find a way to put yourself in your work. Whatever style you choose – whether it’s bold, colorful or abstract – you will be able to find an audience that shares your passion for art and design.
Artistic Director
An artistic director is the person in charge of the overall artistic vision and creative direction of a production. They work closely with the playwright, composer, and filmmaker to bring their vision to life on the big screen or stage.
While a production assistant might be assigned to help with logistics or handle day-to-day tasks, an artistic director’s main responsibility is to create a space that allows for maximum artistic freedom. They work to ensure that the project follows a coherent artistic vision while also considering the needs of the production company – including finanical constraints. Having a clear idea of what an artistic director’s job entails can help you find your own creative voice and work towards becoming the skilled professional you’re capable of being.
Performance Art
If you’re thinking about taking a leap of faith and trying out for a role in a play, consider the type of work you’ll be performing. Depending on the production, you might end up performing in front of an audience or for a camera. While all acting is creative and requires a certain level of training, performance art is all about being in the moment and turning on a creative spark. Think of how fireworks change the way you perceive your surroundings, just for a moment. That’s what you’ll be experiencing on stage or in front of the lens, for the artistry of the performance.
Marketing
A marketing manager plans, budgets, and implements marketing strategies to grow a business. Depending on your specific responsibilities, you might be called upon to develop marketing materials (such as press releases, website content, and social media profiles) or oversee a marketing campaign. A marketing manager must possess a solid foundation in business, as well as the ability to think creatively and analytically. They should be able to work with limited supervision and be comfortable managing their own initiative.
Developing a marketing plan and executing it require a high degree of professionalism. And considering what we already know about the effect that marketing has on a business’ growth potential, creating the perfect marketing plan is essential. Fortunately, thinking creatively and coming up with new ideas are all part of the job. So even if you don’t have experience in this field, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to grow and develop into a successful marketing manager.
Animation
If you’re passionate about film, you might consider pursuing a career in animation. This industry is all about bringing characters to life through digital drawings and bringing their stories to life through compelling characters and dialogue. Being a skilled animator requires a combination of artistic talent and technical know-how – not to mention the ability to think on your feet and act quickly in stressful situations. If you’re looking for a creative outlet and the ability to express yourself through your work, animation could be the right fit.
To become successful in this field, you’ll need to find the right mentor who can help you get your foot in the door and make the right connections. From there, you can learn the ropes from seasoned professionals and build a portfolio of work that will draw interest from top film studios and entertainment brands.
Design
Designers are responsible for the layout, style, and artistic representation of a product or service. They may be asked to come up with concepts, draft documents, or revise existing products to make them more functional or aesthetically pleasing. A career in design can be both challenging and rewarding, depending on what stage you’re at.
The first step towards becoming a successful designer is to find your niche. Rather than trying to fit into a traditional mold, become part of a successful design team by defining your role clearly and articulating your contributions to the process. By taking an active role in your education, you’ll be able to find the right mentor who can help you get your foot in the door and secure your first role. From there, you can learn the technical and creative aspects of design and begin to build a portfolio of work that will draw interest from top agencies and brands.
Creative Director
A creative director is the person in charge of a content marketing strategy. This includes coming up with the ideas and concepts for a brand or publication, as well as producing the creative content (such as logos, illustrations, animations, or videos) to spread the word about the brand or initiative. A creative director should have a solid understanding of graphic design and editorial craft, and be able to demonstrate the ability to come up with ideas that will push the boundaries of a brand’s or publication’s existing identity.
Being a creative director is a demanding job. You’ll be expected to come up with innovative ideas for a brand or publication, and then ensure that those ideas are effectively represented in practice. This involves a lot of responsibility, as well as the ability to work under pressure and maintain a healthy work-life balance. If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in this field, be sure to find a mentor who can help you get your start and secure your first role. In most cases, a strong portfolio will land you this job. Creative directors often report to the CMO or CFO on a daily basis, and are responsible for driving business growth and developing new revenue streams through marketing and content strategy.
Brand Director
A brand director is in charge of a brand’s marketing and communications strategy, as well as coordinating all related activities (including public relations, advertising, and digital marketing). A brand director should have extensive experience in marketing and communications, and possess a strong understanding of media and digital marketing – including paid and earned media. Being a brand director is very different from being a creative or marketing manager. You’ll be expected to think deeply about a brand’s positioning, raise brand awareness, and influence purchasing decisions. A brand director is usually considered to be the senior member of a brand team, and is often the individual who brings in the most business – whether that’s through pitching, building, or evolving a brand’s marketing strategy.
A brand director usually has a lot of power and is considered to be a crucial member of a marketing team. Because of this, they will often get the opportunity to take on a leadership role in driving a brand’s strategic marketing plan. If you’re looking for a career that will allow you to use your creative talents and exercise your strategic thinking, then a career in brand direction might be the right fit.
Account Manager
An account manager is responsible for the financial and operational performance of a business. In most cases, account managers handle the logistics of a business’ monetary and financial transactions, and occasionally handle customer service requests and provide strategic advice. Because of this, they will often have to work closely with sales and management to ensure that the business is meeting its financial objectives and being run efficiently.
Like a CFO, an account manager must be thoroughly familiar with the financial side of a company. However, an account manager is more likely to work with the sales side – analyzing revenues, analyzing expenses, setting budgets, and creating financial reports. Like a CMO, an account manager should be able to think creatively and strategically, and have a good understanding of the digital transformation that is transforming the way we experience, consume, and create content.
As a brand manager, strategist, or communications professional, you will be considered to be an expert in marketing and communications. This is a largely technical role, and will require you to draft articles, pitch stories, design press releases and other marketing materials, and craft speeches and presentations. You’ll need to be comfortable working with numbers and have an analytical mindset to be successful in this role.
If you’re looking for a job that will allow you to use your creative talents and exercise your strategic thinking, then a career in marketing and communications might be the right fit.