15 Jobs & Career Paths For ARTISTS (that actually make money)

BIG thank you to the School of Visual Storytelling for sponsoring this video! svslearn.com/kelseyrodriguez. Artists don't need to starve, and I'm tired of people saying that modern artists "have" to become influencers in order to make a living.
There are a TON of options out there for creative people. From becoming a textile designer, an in-house illustrator for a small company, or a prop artist/designer for an indie-production studio, there are OPTIONS out there for you.
Just as an aside-- while I do mention movie poster work in this video, please respect the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and GWA strike by actors and writers, who are striking against major studios and seeking better pay and working conditions. They've asked content creators to refrain from promoting (even organically) stricken work.
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🌟 ARTISTS FEATURED 🌟
○ Anthony George (textile designer): anthonygeorgehome.com
○ Hillary Wilson (medical illustration): www.hwilsonillustration.com
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○ Kyle Lambert (Stranger Things poster artist): www.kylelambert.com
○ Audrey Estok (movie poster artist): www.audreyestok.com
○ Jonathan Benainous (texture/material artist): www.artstation.com/jonathan_b...
○ Airborn Studios (icon/asset artist): www.artstation.com/airbornstu...
○ Ameorry Luo (icon/asset artist): www.artstation.com/dustandhalos
○ MAR Studio (splash artist): www.artstation.com/mar_studio
○ Ina Wong (splash artist): www.artstation.com/inawong
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[@annabellesigmond4918]

game dev and animation are some of the most competitive jobs out there. I've worked in animation and graphic design and something to keep in mind is that for animation you usually get hired per project, meaning that if your show gets cancelled or once the movie is done you're back to job hunting. Design has a lot more stability.

[@aaron6290]

How does design have more stability ?

[@annabellesigmond4918]

​@@aaron6290 By stability I mean that in design (unless you're freelance) you're not continuously applying for work. Since a lot of graphic design work is a salaried or hourly jobs for companies, many of those positions offer benefits like insurance, 401k matching, that sort of thing. All the animators I know get their insurance through the LA union which requires you to consistently work in the industry and so if you have a hard time finding work after a project ends you can loose your insurance. I'm not an expert this has just been my experience working in both fields!

[@rarity-bo8pk]

0:54 Textile Designer 1:45 Surface pattern designer 2:21Medical Illustrator 3:41 Movie Poster Artist 4:20 Icon Artist 7:14 Production Artist/ Graphic Designer 8:00 Lighting Artist 9:21 Studio Staff 10:28 Art Handeler 10:58 Art Conservators 12:01 Set Designer 12:46 Prop Artist 13:06 Typeface Font/Font Designer

[@kianabrowning7483]

5:20 splash artist

[@soobintheestalIion]

people treat art like it’s not a real profession and it’s just a hobby and you should have a “real job” while doing art on the side when like … every thing is art related …. everything we use was designed by an artist there are so many art jobs art is everywhere

[@williammclean6594]

I've been looking into like getting into art related careers like animation and game concept, art and things like that. But the more I research it all those types of jobs are corporate and it's really fast paced and stressful. A lot of the people get into animation say it's really exhausting that they take advantage of you and they push you hard. you'll have to get stuff done on time on schedule or risk getting fired. Idk I have anxiety disorders. I don't think I could take that.

[@Marichika24]

It really is gonna be THAT HARD huh?

[@williammclean6594]

​@@Marichika24yeah, from what I've heard it just depends where you work. You could get taken advantage of by some studios if you're not in a union. But yeah, animation jobs can be pretty stressful. It's not going to be for every job but a lot of companies now expect you to do way more than they used to. For example, if you do storyboarding the expected to do animation for them as well. I'd rather have my own business than work for someone to be honest.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

extremely valid! Every workplace is different but I don’t fault you for wanting to strike out on your own 💗

[@bamb3928]

Freelance might make more sense for you. I’m looking to get into animation, I know quite a few animators who only work part time in the studio and part time in other art fields, freelancing or teaching. That might be something to consider if you want to try out the game/animation industry.

[@bunnyfreakz]

Artist just paid peanuts regardless the job.

[@I_am_Lauren]

I got a degree in Museum studies and work as a curator at museums. I also serve on art committees for local organizations. I am SO plugged into the art community where I live and it's amazing!

[@kaitsukii2160]

That’s so awesome! I’m trying to get a degree in art history or museum studies myself to become a curator too! Though I have to ask, is your work contract based or is it a relatively stable career. I’m asking because I was an animation major but I am considering art history now because I got turned off by the nomadic life style that animators have :/ I don’t think job hopping is my thing

[@marianoa.7525]

I am baffled by the fact that the starving artist cliche is still a thing for some people, while we also live in a so called "society of images". Behind every image there is an artist behind it, and this video trully proves it, quite useful kelsey.

[@My_Secret_ArtSketchbook]

So Mariano where are you from you like Art? I find your profile interesting

[@JenniferDailyArt]

You did a great job of outlining a LOT of the various ways artists can make money. I just want to add that surface and textile design pairs really nicely with being a fine artist. I think its so important to self assess - what do you LOVE to make, and what do your want your days to look like, and then figure out how that equals consistant revenue.

[@jakeparker44]

Great video Kelsey! I think you're spot on with this. The creative problems solving that we artists put into our art shouldn't stop there, use it for finding work and landing those jobs.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Thank you Jake, that means a lot! It was lovely working with you :)

[@wekyweky]

Very interesting! I really liked that you went for other art carreers that are not just painter or concept artist, like we know they exist, but there is so much other possibilities, and you did great at showing that. Thanks a lot Kelsey! 😊

[@NoiseDay]

In the realm of model making- museum diorama creation and restoration. You know, like those animal dioramas or architecture minis or heck, even dinosaur animatronic displays. This is such a great video and I'm sure will help a ton of people figure out their goals. Thanks for bringing attention to these careers!

[@MADGuy248]

Great video! This goes to show that artistic skills are very much needed beyond entertainment purposes. I have a some notes to add about working as art conservator as someone who studies and am working in the museum and heritage sector (and hang out with conservation students and specialists.) Firstly, conservationist don’t only get hired in museums, they also work in universities institutions and private conservation companies, all of which can be hired by private collectors or museums for contract works/commissions. There are many museums in the world but not all are able to afford having in-house conservation department - and when they do, staff availability is very limited, hence would require third party company’s/institution’s special supports. If you are highly skilled and have substantial management skills, you can go freelance or even open your own conservation company and take contract businesses. Traditionally, you’d need a Master’s degree to break into the sector, but this is starting to change depending on a region’s sector norm and culture (for example, some UK institutions are welcoming people without degree to enter certain entry level positions as long when they have certain required skills or traineeship experiences.) There are also many traineeships and diploma for developing theoretical and practical skills for conservation so you don’t have to commit to a full degree, and sometimes even get paid for your time and effort. That said, the cultural heritage conservation field is very competitive. My friends with bachelor’s degree in cultural conservation are struggling to find jobs in the field (they are based in the UK and Europe). Unfortunately the competitiveness is (surprisingly, for outsiders,) common for the museum and heritage sector jobs.

[@PrinceBaraButterfly]

Wow, so this past month has been a struggle and I became very irritated that the art world I felt like was shrinking with the rise of "AI Art" and the constant change of social media and just really second guessing if going into art was a mistake, but recently learned that scientific illustration or making a dark stationary art may be right up my alley!

[@CricketsBay]

One industry that could always use more artists with your interests illustrating Tarot decks. There is always a market for artwork that can compete with (not copy) the styles of Anne Stokes, Paolo Barbieri, and Ian Daniels, as well as Claire Goodchild's style in The Antique Anatomy Tarot. If there's a topic or an art style, there's a company or a writer looking for an artist to create a Tarot deck for it or about it.

[@TAHOEkaleidonaut]

13:05 …AYY!✨ Thanks for reminding me! I’ve a degree in Graphic Design. The hardest to please Prof/Dept Director was a fresh doctorate graduate by my senior year. The Prof was a student under a topmost leading authority on Typography for Roman based typefaces (including English) at the time. Everyone remembers when a Prof like that gives you praise. Including when it’s once-removed educationally from a topmost/accredited professor.😅 I got pretty good at it… Ironically due to being a Comicbook Geek; btw, Comicbook/Webcomic Lettering is also a possibility asides this. Ok… Gotta dust off & brush up my skills to show what I can do! Thanks again!!! ✨😁✨

[@ThatPaintingLass]

Such a cool video. It’s such a good reminder that art is literally everywhere and our lives would be so boring without all these artists thinking so out of the box and seeking jobs outside of main stream.

[@reneenoriega4524]

Great video! Love the way you explain the details of every job and their benefits, certainly something to think about. A couple of months ago I had to take a step aside from anything art related and just recently I've been able to come back to it, so this couldn't have come out in a better moment 🤭 Keep the great work, you're doing amazing! ❤️

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Hopefully the best is yet to come for you! Thanks for watching

[@amandac8836]

I remember wanting to go into medical illustration years ago when I was in university and even spoke to someone about it on campus who was a medical illustrator, and she told me that the field was really hard to get into and there wasn’t much demand in my state. 😢 It’s good to know it’s in high demand everywhere else though!

[@KelseyRodriguez]

the internet is a beautiful thing nowadays! Things don't need to be in-demand in your area anymore. Most illustrators in this field seem to work remote as far as I can tell :)

[@Ss-ze2mn]

don’t you need a degree to get into medical illustration?

[@amandac8836]

@@Ss-ze2mn yeah I believe so… at least where I’m from you’d need a fine arts degree and complete human anatomy science units from what I remember but potentially a lot more than that to make sure you were accurate enough with your illustrations. This was like 15 years ago though.

[@amandac8836]

@@KelseyRodriguez yeah you’re right! If I feel inclined to go towards that path again I will definitely see what I can do to study and branch out. Thanks for replying and giving encouragement! :)

[@aaron6290]

@@amandac8836how’s it going now?

[@ochavezart]

I learned about the icon artist role from Mr.Trent Kaniuga first, on a video he did talking about the "other art jobs" in the video game industry. Some of the jobs he mentioned are less competitive and less glamorous than character design but can be more chilled, are in high demand and can sometimes pay more. There is one job that I don't see on youtube, or maybe I have not looked deep, it is painting space landscapes for NASA. Chesley Bonostell is one grandmaster from the golden era of NASA, the NASA art program, and the book called Space Art: How to Draw and Paint Planets, Moons, and Landscapes of Alien Worlds by Michael Carroll. That book also has resources on where to look, what organizations there are and names of artists who paint for NASA.

[@craycray375]

Thank you for this!! Some great ideas. It's stuff that we see almost every day but don't think about how it's made or that it is something we can do.

[@terrancecharlemagne4622]

This is the second art biz 101 that I’ve watched and it’s realistic helpful. Thanks a lot. Keep them coming

[@_ururka]

Thank you for this video! You reminded me that I actually wanted to try making some medical art or other nature related for handbooks etc

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

Textile art might be a good fit for me. That might be something fun to go into career wise. A lot of the options in this video sounds great!

[@splendidcyan]

omg Kelsey Rodriguez mentioned game and concept art, the stuff I wanna do!! Maybe someday you could collab or talk to Trent Kanigua or Atey Ghailan, both super cool dudes (from a viewer's perspective haha) who work in games and have advice on KZbin!! The universe of art advice and inspiration for careers is ever growing!

[@E4Alabbasy]

Thank you for searching for this topic! It's nice to know what options you have if you want to take art as a career

[@MariJadeWrites]

Thank you for this video, I am getting more and more into thinking about a creative job (art/writing related).

[@inkpendude]

I've been really interesed on Font design lately. No idea how to start but I'm definitely gonna do that eventually

[@yc1734]

Thank you so much, this is super helpful!

[@withlovepersephone8796]

These types of videos are my favorite of yours. They’re so helpful. Thank you. 💜

[@evelyndominguez4757]

Love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing. 😊

[@NotTheBriish]

I started watching your videos a few days back (mainly your ones about how to make money as an artist), and as I've been trying to get better at art so that I can get into art school after highschool, I've seen all over the place that "artists can't make money" or "art school is only for people who can directly afford it", and it just annoys me to see people saying that when there is proof artists *can* make money. Your channel has let me even see the many ways it can outside of regular 9-5s and that businesses can even be made out of it. (Tysm for releasing a video like this though as it shows that there even are stable art jobs in the industry) Fyi sorry if any part is worded a bit oddly

[@Shadowkitty360]

Designing fonts sound really cool!

[@luffypunketa]

great video ! the diversity of art careers and jobs is so cool i love to see the involvement art and design has everywhere

[@samuel-lungu]

Your videos are really helpful Kelsey... Thanks 😊

[@chiekohoki]

I'm glad you mentioned medical illustration! 😁I'm probably the one that you were referring to in the discord server lol but glad it made the list!!

[@kelseysstudio]

There are a few of y'all over there and it's been so cool to learn more about it!

[@Stroggoii]

Problem is every job that doesn't need a degree is either exclusively for nepobabies, or self-employment.

[@heartstringsduets]

thanks, this is such a cool idea. I feel like I know too little about what jobs are out there.

[@mehmetyhallac]

Very helpful . Thanks Kelsey .

[@rw8160]

This is great! Thank you!

[@olwynnsay237]

I am writing and illustrating my own picture books so that is another thing, book illustration.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

absolutely another option! book cover design, editorial illustration, children's book illustration, etc etc. lots of options!

[@duart4heart]

I really like your way of communicating :)

[@shainorsham4334]

Thank you Kelsey !

[@joelguity3649]

Thank you so much, I needed this list especially at a time where I am looking in a new direction for fulfillment 💚💚

[@kassyrlee]

If you have the make to be one (self driven, can handle extreme criticism and hours, have a passion for body modification/self expression, common sense of cross contamination/cleaning etc) I think the tattoo world does need more fine artists. You do have to have a little more of a product over process mindset, its a crucially perfect pricise artform, and you have to post enough on socials to just show people what youre doing and book; but I think fine artists have a compassion and integrity (ie not stealing artwork) that this industry could use. And you charge 100-200 an hour depending on a few factors. If you love art, its a career to make it permanent and pretty much be doing, living, breathing art 24/7. 🤷🎨

[@fuzzydragons]

I have been looking at a lot of game developing companies and at there general artist jobs, def more suited for people that like me have a varied skill set and can draw all kinds of things when needed. its a very competitive field tho. same with graphic design. Depending on where you are, you usually need a degree of some kind for graphic design and knowledge of a lot of different programs to usually get a job that pays and is not just an intern position sadly

[@My_Secret_ArtSketchbook]

You are FABULOUS!!! Thankyou. I love being creative with cards, Paper, Collage, Paints and LOVE 😊😊😊😊😊

[@LifeOfQuezzy]

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AHH! HOPE I GET INTO CREATOR CAMP AND MEET YOU💙

[@devineartstudiowithkeshaydT]

Great valuable content ❤

[@shannonpowell1893]

Thank you for all the great ideas. I sometimes see job postings for screen printing. It's hard to find a lot of information about weather or not that's a good choice for employment for someone starting out. Any thoughts?

[@JRose-zk1ni]

What kind of portfolio would you suggest if I'm interested in Surface Pattern Designing? I've only been making art for a year ( started back in January of 2023 and haven't stopped..lol). I don't een know what a portfolio would consist of, actually. Thank you fo this very helpful video. It makes me feel like there might be a chance for me and creating art for a living..lol.🙂

[@jordanleighwheatley]

I would love to do medical illustration and surface/textile design

[@Riste.R]

Thank You ❤

[@loading...2535]

yessss sis open my eyes🤩

[@ashalley]

Thank you

[@lezeahsincere437]

Great video!

[@darioscomicschule1111]

TIMESTAMPS would be so great!

[@LoungeSongs21]

Great video! really inspiring. Do you have any videos talking specifically how to connect with a studio to work an artist and help them create their vision or what ever else they need help with. Like do you need a resume? portfolio? What if you have no experience at all? Thank YOU!

[@KelseyRodriguez]

not something I've done yet but maybe someday I'll get the experience to make that video!

[@XxX-dv9dt]

hey kelsey great video btw but is it possible to make a detailed video on medical illustrators. ive been researching about it a lot recently yet couldnt find good sources that talk about it.

[@qazisalman5012]

Thanks for the scoop. But where do you find surface pattern designer jobs?

[@KelseyRodriguez]

you're gonna have to do some research because it'll change depending your area! look for agencies, design houses, openings on brand websites, etc

[@digitalpencil_art]

I started out doing craigslist posts for a sewage company, now I'm the lead designer at a full blown youtube studio. Just gotta keep looking, there's always opportunity for work if your the kind of artist that is more reclusive. p.s. thank you indeed

[@My_Secret_ArtSketchbook]

I really love that necklace you have its beautiful. Where from please? Who designed that?

[@KelseyRodriguez]

it’s from Madewell!

[@iMakeThat]

Thanks Kelsey! 🎉 great video

[@Dardasha_Studios]

Splash artist...nice!!

[@Sharlot2016]

thanks

[@ShahmirSyedShah]

Im gonna study design even though im older than the average and didnt go to uni cause i failed maths but we move

[@loganwall601]

as soon as you said "think really hard" I was out. I'm mostly kidding I love the video!!!

[@feenikss]

About the patterns... now that Midjourney can create almost flawless patterns, what future is there? I mean, sure, some artists are magnificent and some businesses would gladly pay for their work, but for someone who is just good or okay at this... idk..

[@juliantourn]

The video has some great ideas but it would be helpful to know WEHERE to sell these product ideas. Helpp

[@snubnosedmonke]

good list, but you are not telling your viewers the median salary of that job. sure we can search it up ourselves, but it’s better to include the pay so young artists don’t go in the direction of a job that burns them out for little pay.

[@user-ng4ik4lc8d]

Hey your awesome

[@BardyLemon]

Affiliate marketing! Help! 😭🙏 Would you consider making a short how-to video re. Setting up affiliate marketing links? It's a great passive income for artists but most affiliate marketing tutorials seem scammy, travel the world, get rich fast, make it your whole business 😬 etc thanks! 😘

[@KelseyRodriguez]

join affiliate programs for products you believe in, put them in video descriptions, bios, etc. casually mention stuff that you actually use. the more sincere and genuine you can be when you try to sell stuff, the better. that's basically all the advice I have on it!

[@EarthToIndiaa]

I’m just sad because when you live in a place like Idaho there’s absolutely no options like these to grow here as an artist without a bachelors degree. As I work to get my bachelors there’s no options for me to work at an art related job through college, which is all I want. Idaho is like the state where if you have dreams you can’t pursue them without traveling elsewhere because there’s literally no creative jobs here for no reason 😐

[@KelseyRodriguez]

you might be able to find remote positions! a lot of these don't need to be in person.

[@EarthToIndiaa]

@@KelseyRodriguezI’ll definitely look into that thank you!

[@AprilEngelmannArt]

Same here in Utah

[@tylersdadx]

Thankyou

[@NastiushapinkDashingDriver]

❤

[@Daquiriwolfgirl]

With AI art on the rise, i've been feeling like my GDesign degree was a waste of time😢

[@ebmage8793]

I work in graphic design. Trust me, our customers dont know what they want. They need a human artist to explain branding, color theory, typography and hierarchy. Graphic design is so much more than 'pretty pictures'. Hang in there! You will have a career for a good while yet

[@justlearning1881]

art instruction thou had made profit.

[@culinarycode]

Tattoo artist.

[@bunnyfreakz]

Game dev and animation are fun but it not sustainable. You'd better work at commercial.

[@jinny5974]

Just want to say, look up jake Parker and Alphonso Dunn regarding Alphonso's book. Personally, I don't trust Jake Parker (SVS). He also did some things regarding Inktober. That was not cool at all, which turned many artists away from Inktober. Otherwise great vid.

[@AlexBaldivino96]

Though this is encouraging stuff, I get the feeling that some of these jobs aren’t long lasting and are replaceable with AI.

[@cetriyasArtnComicsChannel]

as a surface/textile designer, the issue is the back end technical part. Its no just painting stuff. its a lot of 'throw away' commercial art and pay is relatively low (40-64k ) and has gone down.

[@teru_9921]

AI produced art legally cannot be monetized by any business or companies because of the sources that were fed to the AI. So any creative skill industry would only depend on human artists unless they say otherwise. You're good.

[@kartyboomz]

Do you make money out of art rn?

[@KelseyRodriguez]

yep! I sell prints! I have lots of videos on my personal finances if you go through my channel

[@casualplayer2198]

Almost all these things can be done by AI😢

[@abhayshenoy8556]

So what? Yeah the buyer numbers might get lesser but would you really want to sell your hard work to someone who would consider it the same as a computer generated image? Find people who will actually respect your work for what it is instead of weebs who can't understand art if it hit them in the face.

[@williammclean6594]

​​@@abhayshenoy8556I think what they're saying is that a lot of jobs will be cut in the next 20 years. Not just art jobs but anything that can be done by AI. So you have to do something super specific that can never be replaced by a computer. Like my friend works in storyboarding and not all jobs will be replaced by AI. But a lot of stuff in animation studios will get replaced by AI.

[@elloohno1349]

I was thinking the same

[@pendlera2959]

@@abhayshenoy8556 That's not good advice for people who are trying not to starve. You have to be successful (or at least have a large financial buffer) before you can afford to limit your clients to people who respect your work.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Most of them can’t, actually! Studios are reluctant to use AI because of the myriad of copyright issues, and it’s unclear if that will ever be resolved. I think people still value human made art.

[@JjonaldAadolfo]

I will be very lucky if you will be my wife for life

[@KelseyRodriguez]

then i guess you won’t be lucky 💗

[@JjonaldAadolfo]

@@KelseyRodriguez I know that it will be difficult for you to be mine, so I'll just be lucky if there's a miracle for us.

[@aun7106]

imagine proposing to stranger in internet :/

[@pastelmoon9118]

do you know anything how could try to make money with comics? thought of starting instagram comic and maybe later publish book but not sure how and where to start or are there better options than insta

[@fieldsofblueheather]

Love this video and the options you've shared! 🤍

[@kiki_steez]

if anyone in this comment section is hiring lmk!! im going to keep looking into all of this, i need to get out of my desk job & use my skills. im ready 🤍