23 May 10 Unexpected Careers You Can Pursue with an Art Background
So you love art, but you keep hearing that it’s not “practical.” Maybe people around you think the only path is to become a painter or a starving artist living in a loft. First of all, no thanks. Second of all, there are so many cool careers you can go after with an art background that most people don’t even think about.
Whether you’re always sketching in your notebook, obsessed with character design, or just enjoy making things look cool, your art skills can open doors in ways you might not expect. That said, here are ten unexpected careers you can pursue with an art background.
#1. Art Therapist
If you’re into creativity and want a job where you can help people feel better, this one’s worth looking into. Art therapists work with kids, teens, and adults who are going through tough stuff like anxiety, grief, or trauma. Instead of using only words, they use drawing, painting, and other forms of art to help people express themselves.
It does take extra schooling in psychology and therapy, but your art skills are a big part of it. And you don’t have to be perfect at drawing either. What matters most is knowing how to use creativity in a helpful way.
#2. UX Designer
UX stands for user experience, and it’s all about how people interact with apps, websites, and digital tools. A UX designer makes sure things look good and are easy to use. This job needs creative thinking and a good eye for design, but it also involves a bit of research and tech.
If you’ve ever used a confusing app and thought, “I could totally fix this,” you might love UX. Many designers sketch out ideas, build mockups, and test them with real users. It’s one of those jobs that pays well and still lets you stay creative.
#3. Book Illustrator
If you love telling stories through your drawings, this one might be your dream job. Book illustrators create art for novels, children’s books, comics, and more. Some design detailed covers, while others fill pages with full scenes or little drawings that go with the story.
You can work with authors or publishers, or even go indie and publish your own stuff. Most book illustrators use digital programs like Procreate or Photoshop, but some stick to traditional tools like pencils and watercolors. Either way, it’s about making words come to life through your art.
#4. Exhibit Designer
Ever walked into a museum or science centre and thought the setup looked really cool? Someone had to design that. Exhibit designers plan the way spaces look and feel for museums, galleries, and even pop-up events.
They think about how people move through the space, what they see first, and how the display tells a story. It’s kind of like building a world people can walk through. You’ll use both creative and planning skills, sometimes working with models or software to test out ideas before anything is built. If you like mixing visuals with real-world spaces, this one’s for you.
#5. Game Concept Artist
Before a video game looks like, well, a video game, someone has to imagine what the characters, gear, and worlds even look like. That’s what a game concept artist does. They take rough ideas from writers and developers and turn them into detailed sketches that show off the vibe of the game.
Think dragons, sci-fi cities, haunted forests, or futuristic weapons. This is the stage where it all starts. You’ll need solid drawing skills, especially when it comes to shapes, shadows, and creating totally new things from scratch. If you’re into gaming and love designing characters or scenes, this job is seriously next level.
#6. Set Designer
Set designers build the look and feel of plays, movies, concerts, and shows. They design everything from cozy living rooms to magical castles. You’ll work with directors and production teams to figure out what the space should look like, then draw or build mockups to bring it to life.
You’ll also need to think about lighting, space, props, and how people move on stage. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating the world behind a story, this job gives you the chance to do exactly that. It’s great for anyone who enjoys theatre, film, and visual storytelling.
#7. Medical Illustrator
This one sounds super specific, but it’s honestly kind of amazing. Medical illustrators draw stuff like human organs, surgeries, and health conditions. Their work shows up in textbooks, hospital posters, and online health videos. It helps doctors explain things and students learn about the body.
You’ll need to be into both drawing and science for this one. Knowing how the body works is just as important as being able to draw it clearly. Most medical illustrators study a mix of biology and art, since their job is to explain complex stuff through visuals. If you actually enjoy science class and always find yourself doodling in the margins, this career lets you do both in a way that helps people understand things better.
#8. Toy Designer
Every toy you’ve ever played with started as an idea in someone’s sketchbook, and toy designers are the people behind those ideas. They dream up new games, characters, and gadgets, then figure out how to turn them into something fun, safe, and easy to use.
One day, you might be designing a collectible figure, and the next, you could be working on a board game or an interactive plush. It’s a mix of imagination, design, and hands-on problem solving. It’s a creative job that keeps things playful.
#9. Courtroom Sketch Artist
Some courtrooms do not allow cameras, so they rely on artists to capture what’s happening during big trials. A courtroom sketch artist draws people in action, like the judge, lawyers, and witnesses. The drawings are often used in the news or as part of the public record.
For this one, you have to be able to sketch fast and capture details without distracting anyone. It’s not a full-time gig for everyone, but it’s a cool freelance job if you’re quick with a pencil and good at observing people. It’s also a way to be part of real-life events without needing a press badge.
#10. Color Stylist For Animation
In animated shows and movies, someone has to choose the colors for everything, from characters to backgrounds to props. That’s where a color stylist comes in. This person decides what colors fit the mood of a scene and makes sure everything works together visually.
They study things like lighting, emotions, and color theory to make the story stronger. You’ll use digital tools to fill in scenes and create style guides for the animation team. It’s perfect for someone who’s great with color and wants to be part of a big creative team without doing the full animation work.
Final Thoughts
If you love art, you don’t need to have everything mapped out right now. What matters is that you keep creating and stay open to where it can take you. Try new styles, explore digital tools, take on small projects, and pay attention to what excites you most. The more you experiment, the more you’ll figure out what fits best with your skillset.
And remember, it’s okay if your path doesn’t look exactly like someone else’s. Creative careers don’t always follow a straight line, but they do start with curiosity, effort, and a spark of passion. Keep showing up for your art. You never know where it might lead!
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