What to Look for in the Best Interior Design Schools

Top professionals in the interior designer occupation tend to come from the best interior design schools. Having a natural eye for design is valuable, but it takes more than this to become an excellent interior designer. Students need a formal interior design education to develop skills in formulating a design strategy, researching clients’ goals and project requirements, keeping work costs within the project budgets and managing the entire design project from start to finish.

What makes an institution a top interior design school?

It’s not the type of institution or degree awarded that matters most. Our list of the 10 best interior design schools includes everything from art and design schools to research universities and liberal arts schools. The degrees offered by the best interior design schools include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees, as well as certificate programs. Among schools that offer graduate programs, students can choose from Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs, as well as doctorate degree programs.

Whether you choose a flexible or focused program, you should look for an option that includes experiential learning opportunities and training in the latest technology for design professionals. The right interior design program for you will nurture your artistic and design interests and equip you with the tools practicing interior designers use to prepare construction documents and use changing technologies in both the creative and less creative aspects of the field.

Among schools that offer online classes or an online degree program for design students, online bachelor’s programs are popular. Students may also look for distance learning options at the graduate levels, including an MA online degree program, an MS online degree program and an MFA online degree program.

The curriculum of an outstanding interior design program should include foundation art coursework that covers the concepts and methods of visual arts, classes in the theory and principles of design and coursework in the use of technical software like computer-aided design programs. Students should have the opportunity to explore the principles and practices of residential design and pursue commercial design work in a variety of areas, including retail design and health and wellness design. Collaborative work, such as group projects, may be part of your design or arts program. You should also expect to put in plenty of hard work advancing your artistic talent and building your portfolio.

RELATED: What Computer Programs Should I Learn Before Starting a Degree in Design Studies?

The best interior design programs also offer opportunities to build practical skills in the field. Through integrated design studio coursework, undergrad students practice their creative and technical design skills. Practicum experiences, internships and co-ops enable students to get real-world experience under the supervision of professionals in the field.

Ideally, prospective students should look for interior designer programs that are accredited by outside organizations. In the interior design field, two of the major accrediting bodies are the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

RELATED: What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

Top 10 Interior Design School Rankings

After careful consideration and research, we have identified the following institutions as some of the 10 best interior design schools in the United States. All the schools listed below provide interior design education options that produce interior design industry experts.

1. Rhode Island School of Design

With a name like Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), it should be no surprise that this institution has one of the top interior design programs in the United States. As one of the most widely admired interior design schools in the nation, RISD has earned recognition from publications such as Architectural Digest and Azure Magazine, among many others.

The interior design programs offered at RISD include options at the certificate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. RISD allows students to take courses in-person and online, offering plenty of flexibility for students who are juggling a lot of responsibilities or who can’t uproot their lives to move to a reasonable commuting distance.

RISD’s Interior Design Certificate Program

The interior design certificate program at RISD begins with core courses in drawing, design and digital design techniques that prepare students for a variety of careers in the interior design field. After completing their core courses, students pursuing an interior design certificate learn about lighting, building materials and even the differences between designing for private and public spaces in their concentration courses. At the end of this program, students will design a portfolio that will help them with potential job opportunities.

While this program does not satisfy either the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) or American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) eligibility requirements, it quickly provides students with formal design skills without the academic demands or price tag of a full degree.

For the entire program, the school reports a tuition price of only $9,140.

RISD’s Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design Program

Most interior design majors are more interested in bachelor’s degree programs than certificate programs. RISD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program is a baccalaureate-level program that emphasizes the skills for repurposing existing spaces for new uses.

In this traditionally four-year interior design BFA program, students complete courses in drawing, design and digital design techniques, much as students in the certificate program do. However, through the more in-depth coursework involved in this program, students explore topics like building structures, the history of interior architecture and scheme detailing in more detail. Students’ coursework in building structures and systems for adaptive reuse, in particular, will cover how the concepts of structural design and the mechanical systems used in building structures can be applied to preserving, adapting and rehabilitating existing buildings.

Students finish this program with a completed portfolio of their design work. Tuition for the bachelor’s interior design program at RISD for the 2022 through 2023 school year amounts to $28,218 per semester or $56,435 for the whole academic year.

RISD’s Master’s Degree Options in Interior Design

In addition to the BFA, graduate degrees offered at RISD include two types of master’s programs. The Master of Arts (MA) in Adaptive Reuse is a 1-year, 45-credit program that serves as a student’s first architecture degree. The school’s Master of Design in Interior Studies (MDes) programs are 2-year, 75-credit degree programs.

Students in the Master of Arts in Adaptive Reuse program take courses in the theory of adaptive reuse, the principles of adaptive reuse and applied building systems for adaptive reuse. Master of Design in Interior Studies degrees are offered in both adaptive reuse and exhibition and narrative environments.

In the Master of Design in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program, which qualifies students to sit for the NCIDQ exam, coursework includes energy systems, human factors of ergonomics and acoustics, and studio coursework on codes and details. Coursework in the Master of Design Interior Studies: Exhibition and Narrative Environments program covers special topics in the use of interior design for storytelling purposes, particularly in museum settings.

The graduate interior design programs at RISD are the same cost as the undergraduate programs, coming in with a tuition of $28,218 per semester, or $56,435 for the whole year.

View program details.

2. New York School of Interior Design

NYSID isn’t just a liberal arts or design school that happens to offer an interior design major. The entire New York, NY, institution (and all of its academic programs) specializes solely in interior design. As one of the best interior design schools in the country, NYSID has received accolades from publications like Architectural Digest.

Undergraduate and graduate programs of study at the New York School of Interior Design range from a certificate program that introduces students to the field to five separate graduate programs to help interior designers advance their professional careers.

NYSID’s Basic Interior Design Certificate

The basic interior design certificate covers just what you would expect: the basics. Students take classes on topics like:

• basic drafting
• visual concepts
• the design process
• historical styles
• construction documents
• colors and textile design for interiors

Upon graduating from this certificate program, a student who is interested in taking their education further may transfer these credits into NYSID’s associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.

The tuition rate for all courses offered in the certificate, associate and bachelor’s programs for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $1,150 per credit.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree at NYSID

Through the institution’s Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design program, students can start their path in the field of interior design while covering prerequisite courses. Associate degree credits can then be transferred to the bachelor’s program, which will prepare students to enter the profession of interior design.

NYSID’s Bachelor’s Degree Program

In the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design program, students can look forward to receiving a more well-rounded education in interior design. Coursework in this program may include:

• furniture design
• kitchen and bath design
• sustainable design for the built environment
• light source design and selection
• material sourcing

Graduate Program Options at NYSID

At the graduate level, NYSID offers two non-specialized master’s degree programs and three more focused programs.

Students from different degree programs and academic backgrounds might pursue the Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design as their first foray into interior design education. An interior designer interested in expanding their overall knowledge in the field should consider the Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

The specialized master’s degree programs available include the Master of Professional Studies in Healthcare Interior Design, the Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design and the Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Interior Environments.

For all five programs, graduate students’ tuition is billed on an annual basis and amounts to $19,500 for the fall and spring semesters.

View program details.

RELATED: What Are the Pros and Cons of Pursuing a Degree in Interior Design?

3. Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a research institution, not a liberal arts college per se, yet interior design students here can expect to receive a broad liberal arts education as part of the curriculum. Interior design majors at Syracuse are part of the College of Visual & Performing Arts.

Despite the research focus of the university as a whole, the interior design program at Syracuse is one of the best interior design programs in the nation, endorsed by Architectural Digest.

Syracuse University’s Bachelor’s in Environmental and Interior Design

There is only one interior design program of study at Syracuse, but its unique area of specialization makes it stand out from the crowd. The undergraduate program is called Environmental and Interior Design, and it awards a BFA degree.

Syracuse University’s program is a bit broader, as it aims to teach students how to incorporate the principles and practices of interior design to work with a wide scope of environments, but as the degree title suggests, the curriculum has a strong focus on environmental design. Major requirements include completing three levels of environmental design courses, three levels of environmental factors courses and an environmental design capstone project.

Studying Interior Design at a Visual College

Being offered out of a visual arts college, the interior design program at Syracuse includes plenty of fine arts studio courses. These lengthy classes allow students to engage in hands-on projects in interior design practice, develop their artistic and technical design skills and begin creating the designs that will make up their portfolio.

Students also complete 15 credits of art history classes, as well as required coursework in the liberal arts and sciences.

A study abroad experience taken during students’ junior year of study is highly recommended. Students may choose to travel to London, UK, or to Florence, Italy.

View program details.

4. Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York City, is a private university known for its programs in art, architecture, design and the liberal arts and sciences. Interior design course offerings at this institution are offered out of the School of Design.

This institution was one of the first in the nation to offer a formal education in interior design, according to Architectural Digest, and it remains among the best interior design schools today. Graduates from the school have a history of finding employment relatively quickly. Most students find jobs within just seven months of graduating.

Pratt’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Program

Undergraduates who are preparing to become interior designers should consider Pratt’s Interior Design Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Major areas of focus in this undergraduate program are interior architecture, spatial design, surface embellishment, design practices that blend interior and exterior settings and design for the urban environment – with particular emphasis on how humans interact with their environments in urban settings.

This program gives students plenty of opportunities for practical instruction and the development of practical skills in design. Studio coursework is integrated into the curriculum as early as students’ sophomore year. Throughout their studies, students will gain hands-on experience through internships and professional practice coursework.

Undergraduate tuition for the 2020 through 2021 academic year amounted to $51,754 annually for students taking between 12 and 18 credits per semester.

A Minor in Interior Design

Some students are interested in interior design but aren’t ready to fully commit to the program. Ideal for these students is Pratt Institute’s 15-credit interior design minor that allows undergraduate students from any field of study to get a taste of the world of interior design.

The Master of Fine Arts Degree

Pratt Institute also offers a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design for interior designers interested in research and academics as well as in advancing their careers in professional practice. Some students use this degree to become postsecondary teachers of interior design courses.

Within the MFA program, students may choose to focus on an area of concentration such as:

• interior design theory and criticism
• emerging technologies for interior design
• exhibition design
• environmental quality
• design of ecological and sustainable environments

For both full-time and part-time graduate students, the tuition rate for the 2020 through 2021 school year was $1,847 per credit.

View program details.

5. Parsons School of Design at the New School

The New School, a university in New York, NY, is made up of seven schools. One of these schools is Parsons School of Design, which is one of the best interior design schools in the country. Here, interior design students will find programs ranging at levels ranging from undergraduate certificates to graduate degrees.

Certificate in Interior Design

The undergraduate certificate program at Parsons offers students a quick but thorough introduction to the field, providing them with a solid foundation in interior design.

Offered in an online format in which students complete eight online classes over the span of just six to nine weeks, this program includes coursework in areas like:

• basic drafting and interior space planning
• color theory
• residential and commercial design

Through the special focus on collaborative work at Parsons, you can expect to complete group projects and share studio workspaces with students from other art and design programs.

The cost for the complete certificate program is $6,760 as of 2022.

Associate Degree in Interior Design

The Interior Design Associate of Applied Science offers a more in-depth introduction to the field. The curriculum of this two-year, on-campus program includes courses in 2D and 3D drawing of interiors, environmental design and construction documents, as well as a sequence of design studio courses.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The interior design BFA degree program at Parsons that will best prepare students to begin their careers in the field of interior design is the Bachelor of Fine Arts. Like the associate’s degree program, this four-year baccalaureate program is offered on-campus.

The curriculum goes well beyond that of the associate’s degree program, encompassing coursework in:

• the history of architecture
• human ecological theory and design for interiors
• sustainable systems
• the interaction between light and surfaces

Integrative studio and seminar courses begin as early as the first semester of students’ first year of study.

Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The Interior Design Master’s of Fine Arts program at Parsons is a two-year, on-campus program that will help graduate students prepare to further their careers in interior design or enter the field as educators.

The MFA curriculum includes classes in environmental design, ethnography and design, the theory of the interior and fabrication and processes, as well as advanced design studios and a thesis.

View program details.

RELATED: Where Are the Best Paying Jobs with a Degree in Interior Design?

6. Savannah College of Art & Design

At Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Savannah, GA, students interested in interior design can pursue a bachelor’s degree, an undergraduate minor or a graduate degree. The institution is one of the best interior design schools in the nation, with features like SCADpro, the SCAD collaborative learning center design studio, setting it apart from other programs.

SCAD’s BFA in Interior Design

The BFA in Interior Design covers everything undergraduate students need to begin pursuing a career in interior design. You might not expect a traditional liberal arts degree experience from an art and design college like SCAD, but in this program – as in the institution’s other bachelor’s degree programs – students complete core courses designed to help them develop strong critical thinking skills and communication abilities.

In addition to these core courses, students will develop their abilities in interior design with courses in different aspects of interior design, such as the history of the field, drawing techniques and design studio work. As of 2022, program locations for the interior design BFA include SCAD’s Savannah main campus and its Atlanta campus.

Undergraduate tuition rates for one year of study at SCAD amounted to $39,105 during the 2022 through 2023 academic year.

Interior Design Minor Requirements

Undergraduate students pursuing a different undergraduate degree at SCAD may study interior design as a minor. In this 25-credit minor, students get an overview of the field of interior design.

At the Savannah and Atlanta campuses, students start their minor coursework with an Introduction to Interior Design class and continue with classes on topics like:

• interior materials
• graphics for the building arts
• form, space and order

One design studio course, which focuses on exploring people and space, is included in the requirements for the minor.

Master’s Degrees in Interior Design

SCAD’s interior design programs at the graduate level include both MA and MFA programs. The MA is a 45-hour program that includes classes in theory and criticism of interior design, environmental psychology for interior design, emerging materials for interiors and research methods in the field. Students complete a final project in preparation for graduation from the MA program.

The Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design program is significantly longer, consisting of 90 hours of coursework that includes multiple internships and a master’s thesis. Coursework includes the same classes found in the MA program, along with a series of studio design courses that focus on topics like inclusive design, design for live-work settings and the design of environments for public interaction.

The cost of this program is not much more than the undergraduate program, coming in at $40,050 for the 2022 through 2023 school year.

View program details.

7. University of Cincinnati

Another one of the top interior design schools is the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Ohio. The public research university has received accolades from Architectural Digest – even though the publication once singled out the campus’s Crosley Tower as one of the Ugliest University Buildings in America.

Through the University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture and Interior Design, part of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), students can pursue both bachelor’s and master’s programs in interior design.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at UC allows students to grow their skills in a studio environment and take advantage of the option to study abroad. This program isn’t quick, but it’s thorough, and students complete their studies with considerable paid work experience under their belts.

Finishing this Bachelor of Science program takes five years instead of the typical four years required to earn a bachelor’s degree, including taking classes over the summer semesters. The reason this program takes so long to complete is that it incorporates valuable co-op experiences into the curriculum.

Other courses in the major curriculum include:

• architectural history
• interior lighting
• construction materials and fibers
• design science in building construction
• furniture design and millwork

In-state tuition for this program for the 2022 through 2023 academic year was only $6,588 per semester, though non-resident students would pay $14,255 per semester. 

Master’s Degree in Interior Design

For students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in the field from an accredited interior design school, the University of Cincinnati’s post-professional Master of Interior Design (MINTD) can expand not only your knowledge of the field but also your career opportunities.

With this degree, which includes coursework in research methods in the field and the completion of a master’s thesis, experienced practitioners can develop the skills and qualifications for teaching students at the college level. The degree can also help you expand your skills as a practitioner.

As part of this two-year program, students can study abroad in Switzerland, Germany, Turkey or India. The program’s curriculum also includes a graduate-level internship and design studio work.

View program details.

8. Fashion Institute of Technology (part of the State University of New York – SUNY)

Don’t let the name fool you; aside from its fashion design programs, the State University of New York (SUNY)’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is one of the top interior design schools, and it has the praise from Architectural Digest to prove it.

Located in New York, NY, FIT offers two programs in interior design, an associate’s program and a bachelor’s program. At either level of study, the robust interior design program is designed for teaching students the skills needed to enter the world of interior designer careers.

Associate’s Degree

It’s true that most interior designers have a bachelor’s degree, but the interior design associate’s degree program at FIT is still worth pursuing. Without further study, you could leverage this degree to become an interior designer assistant or an interior decorator at most interior design firms.

You can also use this program to prepare to earn a bachelor’s degree in interior design, which would qualify you for a wider range of career roles in the interior design field.

The major coursework in this program includes classes in visual representation, interior design theory and criticism, the history of interior design, design technology and a sequence of design studio courses. Other classes in this program include art history courses and classes that fulfill general education requirements, which serve to educate well-rounded artists.

The tuition rate for this program differs for in-state vs. out-of-state students. For the 2022 through 2023 program, students living in New York were charged $2,645 per semester, while non-resident students were charged $7,935.

Bachelor’s Degree

FIT’s CIDA-accredited BFA in Interior Design program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for a number of careers in the interior design industry. The curriculum for this four-year multidisciplinary program combines a couple of art history courses and some general education courses with more of an interior design focus overall than the associate’s degree program has.

For example, students take classes in lighting design and advanced methods and applications of design technology, as well as a more robust catalog of design studio courses.

FIT’s interior design education is a particularly good option for New York residents. The cost of a semester’s worth of study in the bachelor’s degree program for in-state students for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $3,585. Out-of-state students would pay $10,846 per semester for this program.

View program details.

9. Kansas State University

If you’re looking for an interior design degree in the Sunflower State, Kansas State University is the place to go. Not only is K-State among the best interior design schools in the country (a claim backed up by the rankings and praise from publications like Architectural Digest), but it’s also the only college in Kansas to offer a CIDA-accredited four-year interior design program.

Through courses in computer-aided visual communication, students gain technical knowledge of the use of computer modeling and design software programs in interior design.

K-State prides itself on its small class sizes and use of technology in the classroom as a way to help all students learn. The school also possesses a 93% employment rate among graduates of its interior design bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

The undergraduate program for interior design can be completed in four years, or 120 credit hours. For students at the bachelor’s level, the majority of the curriculum (aside from general education classes) is focused on professional studies courses that cover a range of topics for interior design.

Major coursework in this program includes interior design history, behavior in the interior environment and interior design practices and procedures. Students pursuing interior design degrees from K-State also study:

• lighting
• textile design
• construction methods and materials
• environmental systems for interior design
• the principles and practices of design for supportive environments

Students also need to take a lot of professional electives that cover a wide range of areas within interior design, professional application, and professional application. Elective courses allow students to customize their creative education and develop expertise in areas of interest.

Some of the electives offered in this program include advanced studies in design and behavioral aspects of residential or commercial design, advanced interior design theory, design for aging in the modern world and an interior design study tour.

Experience is an important part of Kansas State’s interior design program. Students in the program are encouraged to take part in an internship, taking advantage of K-State’s connections to intern in top architectural design firms all over the country. Internships are typically done in the summer between undergraduate students’ third and fourth years but can, along with the practicum, occur after their second year.

For the 2021 through 2022 school year, Kansas residents only needed to pay $316.30 per credit hour for tuition, while nonresidents were charged $852 per credit hour.

Master’s Degree Options in Interior Architecture

Kansas State University’s graduate programs in this field are master’s degrees in interior architecture. The Master of Interior Architecture and Product Design (MIAPD) degree is offered in both a post-baccalaureate track for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and a non-baccalaureate track for students without a bachelor’s degree.

The post-baccalaureate track Master of Interior Architecture degree is a comprehensive two- to three-year master’s degree program that typically takes six semesters to complete. The CIDA-accredited and NASAD-approved program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field, so you don’t need prior studies at interior design schools to be accepted.

The curriculum of the master’s degree program includes classes in visual communication, the history of the designed environment, building construction systems and structural systems in architecture and architectural technology. Design studio and workshop coursework is a big part of the graduate-level curriculum. Students also study topics like:

• materials and finishes
• lighting
• furniture design
• environmental and interior design

The non-baccalaureate track Master of Interior Architecture is a five-year program ideal for students entering college with only a high school education. Like the post-baccalaureate program, this degree program is CIDA-accredited and NASAD-approved, and it covers many of the same courses as the post-baccalaureate program, plus the material needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Ultimately, students in this program will complete 170 credits of study. They will also shave a year or more off of their education compared to if they had spent four years earning a bachelor’s degree in a traditional program and then another two or more years of graduate school.

At the graduate level, the tuition cost for the 2021 through 2022 academic year was $428.90 per credit hour for in-state students and $959.10 for out-of-state students.

View program details.

10. Auburn University

At Auburn University in Alabama, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design.

Auburn isn’t just one of the best interior design schools, nationally ranked by publications like Architectural Digest and Design Intelligence. The interior designer program at this school is also competitive – so much so that students cannot enter the program directly as freshmen.

Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

Both first-year students and transfer students must start out in the school’s pre-interior design program. After they complete the first year of coursework, pre-interior design students are evaluated based on their performance to see whether they actually get into the full interior design major. To be admitted, students must prove their design abilities by submitting samples of their best work in accordance with the program’s portfolio requirements.

The interior design program at Auburn is part of the Consumer & Design Sciences department within the school’s College of Human Sciences. The CIDA-accredited 123-credit program awards a Bachelor of Science degree.

During the pre-interior design year of study, Auburn students take classes in design principles, the history of interior design, consumer culture and introduction to interior design, as well as general education courses. Generally, BS programs require fewer general education courses than BA programs do, which means that aspiring interior design students can devote more of their common curriculum to matters of academic study that relate to their intended job directly.

Since the Pre-Interior Design program covers most of the general education courses, students will focus primarily on core courses and elective courses related to their major once they are accepted into the BS in interior design program. Major coursework in the interior design bachelor’s degree program includes:

• spatial design and planning
• lighting
• interior materials and components
• mechanical and environmental systems
• project management for interior design

Through studio courses, students develop their skills in using computer-aided design software and design for different types of spaces, including residential, commercial, hospitality and health and wellness environments.

An internship is important in this curriculum, as is an advanced design project completed in the design studio.

Undergraduates in the Interior Design program enjoy a maximum class size of only 40 students. This is one bachelor’s degree program that, for many students, really does take just four years to complete. According to Auburn University’s statistics, the average time it takes to graduate from the interior design program is 4.1 years, and 49% of students who matriculated to the pre-interior design program during the 2016 through 2017 academic year graduated in four years.

To put that in perspective, just 41% of college students nationwide graduate within four years, CNBC reported in 2019 (and even that statistic shows a big jump from the 1996 cohort, just 33.7% of which graduated within four years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics).

Undergraduate tuition for this program for the 2021 through 2022 school year came in at $5,913 per semester for Alabama residents and $15,993 for non-residents.

View program details.

RELATED: What Career Path Do I Have Ahead of Me With an Associate’s in Design Studies?

Top-Ranked Art and Design Schools Abroad

Our rankings list of the best interior design colleges is nationally focused, but there are plenty of excellent educational options outside the U.S., as well. There are schools for interior design that are ranked highly all around the world, offering certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, in-person and online master’s degree and doctorate degree options.

For example, at the Chelsea College of Art & Design at the University of the Arts in London, England, students can seek a bachelor’s degree or a graduate diploma in interior design.

Florence Design Academy in Italy is another global standout school. An interior designer (or aspiring interior designer) with a bachelor’s degree can pursue one of two graduate programs here: a Master of Interior Design or a dual master’s program that combines interior design with graphic design or industrial design.

Related Resources:

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Can I Become an Interior Designer Without a Degree?

What Degree Do I Need to Become an Interior Designer?

The post Top 10 Interior Design Schools in the U.S. appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Here are 10 careers that will allow you to earn a living while still following your creative passions.

1. Art Director

You’ve got an eye for design. You can communicate ideas through visual art, from photographs to paintings, and you have a knack for presenting that art through stylish and effective layouts. A role as an art director in an industry like movie production, publishing or advertising and public relations would be an excellent way to put those talents to use.

Art directors are the design professionals who choose the art, photographs and other visual elements that go into an advertisement, publication, motion picture or life performance. They come up with a vision for how the design will look and the manage artists, graphic designers, photographers and set builders who work to create the vision. Though a talent for design is crucial to success as an art director, the work isn’t all about the creative side. Art directors also need to handle business responsibilities like interfacing with clients, working with other departments involved in the project and creating and following budgets and timelines

Most art directors get their start as creative professionals in fine art, photography, editing or graphic design. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in their chosen subject, aspiring art directors typically spend five years or longer gaining experience in their arts and design roles and building their portfolios before they advance to this high-level, and highly compensated, role.

Salary: $85,610

Education: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Photography or Graphic Design

Creative Field: Visual arts

2. Technical Writer

If you build up your technical knowledge, you can turn a passion for writing into a career that earns more than double the median annual salary in the United States. Technical writers are the communication professionals who create the text used to convey technical information in instruction manuals, frequently asked questions (FAQ) resources and journal articles. Most technical writers work in scientific and technical services or the manufacturing and information industries.

Being a good technical writer requires many of the skills necessary for success in other forms of writing. You have to think about your audience and figure out what they need to know to use the product safely and effectively. The role also involves doing research into the product’s design, development and use.

Writing out complex technical information in ways that are simple, accessible and easy to understand is the crux of a technical writer’s job. However, these professionals are also responsible for creating or attaining the visual elements – like diagrams, charts and photographs – that help users understand the product. Today’s technical writers may also be responsible for creating interactive presentations of technical information, including video and audio elements.

Technical writers need to draw from both communication skills and technical knowledge. That means these professionals need an education that emphasizes writing and communications but also a background in the technical subject they want to write about. In fact, many technical writers start their careers in these technical industries, often as research specialists or assistants. Aspiring technical writers are in luck – the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts opportunities for this profession to increase by 10 percent over a decade. That’s faster than the seven percent job growth expected for all occupations and much faster than the growth expected for communications professionals and authors (four percent and two percent, respectively).

Salary: $69,030

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or English, Plus Knowledge of Computer Science, Web Design or Engineering

Creative Field: The Written Word

3. Industrial Designer

Every product we use was designed by someone. In industries like manufacturing, specialized design services, architectural and engineering services and wholesale trade, that someone typically goes by the job title of industrial designer. Part designer, part engineer and part businessperson, an industrial designer comes up with the designs for products large and small, from motor vehicles to children’s toys.

An industrial designer does consider the visual aesthetics of product design, but creativity also comes into play when creating a product that fulfills requirements of function, cost and user-friendliness. These professionals need to figure out the “audience” for the product and visually design (with the help of computer-aided design software) a product that meets that audience’s needs and expectations. These designs don’t remain sketches for long – they progress to virtual models and finally physical prototypes.

A bachelor’s degree is sufficient education to land you an entry-level role in industrial design, but employers will look at more than your degree. Most aspiring industrial designers build an electronic portfolio of their product designs, which they can show to prospective employers to illustrate their skills, the BLS reported.

Salary: $64,620

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Engineering or Architecture

Creative Field: Design

4. Fashion Designer

Not all art hangs on gallery walls. If you have an eye for aesthetic designs and the art and computer skills to create hand-drawn sketches and computerized graphics, you can put your creativity to work designing clothing, costumes, footwear and accessories.

Fashion designers are involved in the process of creating apparel from beginning to end. They develop themes and ideas to inspire clothing collections, create sketches that express their designs and choose the fabrics, patterns and colors they want for the clothing. They collaborate with other members of a design team to develop a physical prototype of the clothing design. A career in fashion design isn’t all about sketching colorful clothing ideas, though.

Fashion designers must research current style trends to help them figure out what designs will attract buyers. They have to be detail-oriented enough to develop instructions on how to correctly make the design concept a reality. A good fashion designer considers not only aesthetic appeal, but also function, making choices about the garment’s materials and construction. Some fashion designers are responsible for tasks like pitching the design ideas to a creative director, supervising production of the garment and marketing the finished fashion item.

If you want to become a fashion designer, you’ll need more than drawing skills and a creative flair. You’ll want to earn a bachelor’s degree in a subject like fashion design or fashion merchandising, which will teach you about different fabrics and the computer skills necessary to create virtual representations of your designs. Your college career is also the perfect time to begin building your professional portfolio of design concepts and get some work experience by interning with fashion design companies.

Salary: $64,030

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising

Creative Field: Design

5. Multimedia Artist or Animator

In animation and multimedia art, the graphics created require more than a single method of creating art. Instead of just drawing or painting an image, animators and multimedia artists create moving pictures and visual effects. Video games and animated movies and television shows are examples of the kind of work these professional artists do.

In each medium, an animator or multimedia artist is responsible for creating every aspect of the image, from the background to the foreground and the characters to the scenery. The ability to create visual art by hand is important for an animator, who will usually have experience drawing, painting and sculpting subjects. However, since computer-generated images (CGI) are very common in today’s entertainment and multimedia art, an animator or multimedia artist must have excellent computer skills, too.

Creating an animated piece of art is a process. Multimedia artists must develop the concepts for the designs, create storyboards that plan out the animation process and get projects done within a timeframe and a budget. They may need to do research to develop their designs or base those designs on the visuals of actual landscapes, people and movements.

Multimedia artists typically work in motion picture and video industries, computer systems design, software publishing and advertising. Though they may not always work in traditionally arts industries, they need to build a strong portfolio that shows potential employers their creativity, design and technical skills.

Salary: $63,630

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Animation, Computer Graphics or Fine Art

Creative Field: Visual Arts

6. Professional Writer

Striving to write the great American novel can certainly leave you feeling like a starving artist – but there are plenty of opportunities to make a livable living using your skill with the written word. After all, written content is essential for advertisements, magazines, websites, television and movie scripts, marketing materials, blogs, social media posts and many more types of media.

Copywriters, bloggers, screenwriters, biographers and journalists are all types of professional writers. Sometimes they have different job titles that may incorporate industries like marketing, communications or advertising. They might focus on specific topics or industries, or they may be generalists. Professional writers may work at an agency, in-house within a company or for themselves.

Though opportunities for professional writers are growing at a slower than average rate, about two-thirds of writers are self-employed, the BLS reported. That means it’s often possible to begin writing professionally on a part-time basis or as a side job – including while writing that novel, play or song lyric. Freelance writers don’t necessarily have to compete against numerous other candidates to get chosen for a position, but they do need to attract and build relationships with clients to get consistent work.

Copywriting may not sound as literary as penning the novel, poem, play or song of your dreams, but successful professional writing still requires many of the same skills used to write fiction and other creative content. It’s essential to know the rules of good writing and when to break them, and of course, you need to consider your audience, purpose and tone. Making valuable revisions is part of professional writing, just as it should be part of the creative writing process. The best way to improve your writing skills is through plenty of practice – which means writing professionally, even for advertising companies or marketing departments, can help you get close to achieving your literary dreams.

Salary: $58,850

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Writing, English, Journalism or Communications

Creative Field: The Written Word

7. Art Therapist

What if you could use your skills in art to help people? That’s precisely what an art therapist does. These professionals study psychology to learn about human behaviorand mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. They also study art and how to use it therapeutically to help people cope with these conditions or just with difficult emotions like grief.

An art therapist may have their clients sculpt with clay or create pictures with paint. They might guide clients in creating art that is helpful to their physical, mental or emotional state. For example, some art therapists will ask clients to create images of the metaphorical baggage from their past or of their hopes for the future, the BLS reported. Whether they work in schools, community centers, medical facilities or psychiatric hospitals, art therapists need to have knowledge of and passion for both art and psychology.

If you want to be an art therapist, you will really have to work at it. Aspiring art therapists often start preparing for their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree in both psychology and studio art, so they have a background in both fields and meet all of the prerequisites required for grad school. Then they have to earn a master’s degree in art therapy, which will include courses in counseling. To even get into grad school for art therapy, students will most likely need an impressive portfolio of their own. Throughout their education, they will need to complete internships to gain hands-on experience. In many states, it’s also necessary to attain a license.

Salary: $55,900

Education: Master’s Degree in Art Therapy

Creative Field: Visual Arts

8. Editor

If you enjoy working with the written word from both high-level and detail-oriented perspectives, you might make a great editor. These media and communications professionals work in the advertising, broadcasting and newspaper, magazine and book publishing industries. While their responsibilities differ depending on their industry and specific job title, the role of all editors is to get content ready for publication.

Some responsibilities of an editor are less creative and more detail-oriented. Copy editors, for example, effectively proofread written content to make sure it is free of spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes. They may also check that the copy adheres to the approved style, tone of voice and editorial policies. Editors may also have to check facts presented in the content. Editors commonly suggest revisions to make a story, article, book or other piece of content easier to read and understand.

However, editing can still require a good deal of creativity. In many positions, editors take a big-picture view of the content, planning what stories need writing and working with the writer to create the best copy possible. In literary journals and book publishing companies, for example, publication assistants read a manuscript and decide whether or not to publish it. During the publication process, editors might also work with the writer to strengthen the story through revisions, including cutting, adding and changing the content as needed. Editors of newspapers and magazines develop or assess story ideas and decide if the idea is worth pursuing and what angle to take when approaching the story. Some editors are even responsible for designing the publication’s layout, incorporating visual design skills as well as knowledge of writing and reading.

Editors may also take on a leadership role. For example, the managing editor of a newspaper, magazine or broadcast media station oversees the day-to-day operations of the department. Executive editors choose what stories will run in a publication and what angle the writer will use to cover the topic. They also oversee assistant editors, who are themselves responsible for different categories of content within the publication.

In the modern job market, editing roles are extremely competitive. To land your dream job, you need a degree in a related subject like writing, communications or journalism. Most editors work their way up to the position from writer, reporter or editorial assistant roles. Experience working in publishing in some form, including through internships or experience helping with school and local newspapers, is beneficial.

Salary: $54,890

Education: bachelor’s degree in Writing, Communications, English or Journalism

Creative Field: The Written Word 

9. Interior Designer

Don’t limit your art and design skills to the canvas – put it to work making physical spaces functional, comfortable and attractive. That’s exactly what an interior designer does.

These professionals find employment in specialized design services, architectural and engineering services, furniture stores, wholesale trade and residential building construction, though around 25 percent of them are self-employed.

To start, interior designers have to find new projects to work on and attain clients. To do this, they must have excellent interpersonal and listening skills to determine a client’s needs and goals and persuade clients that they are the right designers for the job. When it comes to the actual design aspect, that’s when creativity, visualization skills and artistic abilities come into play. Interior designers must use their imaginations to develop design concepts that fulfill the required function and desired appearance of the space. They choose how the space will be used and the décor, including color themes, wall paint or coverings, furniture, lighting and plumbing fixtures, flooring and appliance styles. In addition to being functional and beautiful, their designs must be safe, complying with building codes and other government regulations.

To express their design ideas, interior designers must use hand-drawn sketches and computer-aided representations. They often take this task a step further by using computer software to create virtual three-dimensional models of the finished space. They must make sure their designs can be accomplished in the timeframe and budget specified by the client.

Interior designers may focus on a specific type of design or interior space. Some specialize in designing corporate spaces or healthcare facilities, while others focus on home kitchens and bathrooms. Interior designers may work to achieve a specific goal beyond function and appearance, like accessibility or sustainable use of energy.

Interior design occupations are seeing slower than average growth right now, the BLS reported. To break into this career, you’ll need a college degree. While the career path doesn’t necessarily call for a specific degree, candidates do need a background in drawing, interior design and computer-aided design (CAD), according to the BLS. To develop these skills, most candidates will look for a degree program in interior design specifically. Some programs even specialize further, focusing on subjects like kitchens and bathrooms. Aspiring interior designers should keep a portfolio of sketches that illustrate their artistic talents. When it comes time to enter the career, candidates may need to earn a state license. (Learn more about the top 10 interior design schools in the U.S.)

Salary: $48,400

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

Creative Field: Design

10. Graphic Designer

Using visuals to convey meanings and messages isn’t solely the domain of fine art. Businesses and organizations also need to represent ideas through images – and that’s why they hire graphic designers. These creative professionals earn a living by using their artistic skills to create the graphics used in logos, advertisements, magazine publication layouts, websites, product packaging, brochures and other marketing and promotional materials. Through computer design software and hand drawn sketches, they develop an image from the first concepts to the final version used in publications and product art.

Graphic designers first learn about the project, including the goals and style the client or art director has in mind. They think about how to best express the ideas and marketing messages through the combination of images and text. Then they create those visuals – or at least, the first drafts of them. Graphic designers show the decision-maker, whether a client or an art director, their idea. If changes are needed, they revise the work and get the final graphics ready for publication.

Success in a graphic design career requires a great deal of creativity as well as technical artistic skill in drawing and computer design. In fact, graphic designers also go by the name graphic artists or communication designers. They need to come up with original design ideas that stand out and make readers and consumers take notice, but whose meanings are clear. They also need to bring those designs to life through their artistic skills, particularly those using graphic digital illustration, graphic design, layout and photo editing software. Graphic designers have to have a good aesthetic eye, because they choose the color, font, size, and spacing of text, images and design elements in a project. The wrong choices could leave a project looking busy and cluttered, bare and uninteresting, or otherwise unappealing.

Graphic designers often find work in industries like specialized design services, advertising and public relations, publishing, printing and wholesale trade. About 20 percent of graphic designers work for themselves. To get started in the career, you will most likely need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. An undergraduate graphics design program will probably incorporate studies in design principles, commercial graphics production, studio art, printing techniques, computerized design and website design, the BLS reported. Throughout their studies, aspiring graphic artists should focus on developing a portfolio of their most inspiring and effective designs that they can show to prospective employers or clients to help them land a job or freelance gig.

Salary: $45,900

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design

Creative Field: Visual Arts and Design

Art is all around us. Whatever your creative passion, you can find an opportunity to put it to use in your career and earn a decent living, if you find the right industry and cultivate the right combination of skills.

Editor’s Note: The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics was the official source for the salaries, job descriptions, education and training requirements, expected growth rates and other factual information presented in this list. To learn more, readers should visit the BLS’s resources Careers for Creative People and Art and Design Occupations.

Related Resources:

What Can I Do With a Degree in Visual Communications?

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Where Are the Best Paying Jobs With a Degree in Interior Design?

What Is an Interior Designing Degree?

What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

For Further Reading: 

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

How Much Can I Make With a Degree in Digital Marketing?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

The post 10 Creative Careers That Won’t Require You to Be a Starving Artist appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Some careers are friendlier to that entrepreneurial spirit than others. If the opportunity to eventually run your own business is important to you, then you need to start your career with the right education. The following 15 degrees can prepare you for the kind of jobs where workers are most likely to be self-employed.

1. Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture

A college degree in agriculture, agricultural business or agricultural sciences prepares students for success in the world of farm management. Most agriculture and related degree programs combine studies in business and science with a focus on framing. Coursework in farm management, agricultural economics, sustainable farming practices, plant breeding, dairy science and animal science is common, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Graduates of agriculture degrees will understand the process of running a farm or a group of farms as a business, from its financial operations to its marketing strategies. They develop familiarity with the laws and policies that govern farming. Some agriculture degree programs include opportunities to gain hands-on experience managing college-run farms and selling the produce. Some programs include a special focus on sustainability in farming. Agriculture degree programs are available at both the associate’s and bachelor’s level and are offered both on campus and online.

An agriculture degree is excellent preparation for a job as an agricultural manager. These professionals oversee the daily operations of farms, ranches and greenhouses. The vast majority of agricultural managers – 70 percent – are their own bosses. In fact, agriculture degree programs often offer required or elective courses in farming entrepreneurship. As bosses, agricultural managers make the decisions about what the farm produces, how it is run and where and for how much to sell the product. While a college degree isn’t an absolute requirement for this job – which often starts with professional experience as a farm worker – an education is becoming increasingly important, the BLS reported. Both efficient farming and effective business management has become more complicated, resulting in the need to know more about both subjects than what can be easily taught on-the-job. Some agricultural managers seek the Accredited Farm Manager certification from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers to demonstrate their knowledge.

Most Likely Job Title: Agricultural Manager

Salary: $64,170

Self-employment by the numbers: 70 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Sustainable Farming 

2. Bachelor’s Degree in Art

When you earn a college degree in art, you take foundational through advanced courses in studio art of various kinds. Coursework often includes study in creating art through drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, painting, photography, sculpting, printmaking and digital design. Creating an extensive portfolio of your work is integral to success in an art degree program as well as your professional life after college, the BLS reported. A strong portfolio contains a collection of the artist’s best work, but it must have pieces that are distinct enough to show the breadth and depth of the artist’s skills and styles. In addition to taking a multitude of art and design classes, students take core general education courses required for graduation. Undergraduate studio art degrees can be categorized as either Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees. Some art students choose to go on to graduate school and pursue a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.

What can you do with an art degree? You can work for yourself – and still make a decent living doing so. Two of the most entrepreneurial and profitable art jobs are art director and multimedia artist and animator. Half of all art directors and more than half of all animators are self-employed. Some work from home, but many work in the offices of motion picture production companies, advertising agencies, publishing companies and design services companies. Art directors, who earn higher salaries, develop the big-picture design and style of the visual elements used in film, magazines, newspapers and advertising campaigns. They oversee the artists who create those images and visual elements. Multimedia artists and animators, on the other hand, create effects, models and animations used in movies, television shows and video games. Animators work on a project from the storyboard phase to the finished sequences of animation and computer generated images.

Most Likely Job Title: Multimedia Artist, Animator or Art Director

Salary: $63,970 – $89,760

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Computer Graphics, Graphic Design 

3. Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science

Degree programs in mortuary science cover the technical skills needed to prepare bodies for memorial services and burials, including restorative techniques and embalming. They also include coursework in the laws and ethics of the funeral services business as well as grief counseling strategies to help funeral service workers in their interactions with bereaved family members. Mortuary science degree programs are available on campus at junior colleges as well as online. Many mortuary science degree programs require students to complete a one-year internship or mandatory clinic embalming assignments in order to gain hands-on work experience as well as prepare for common state licensing requirements. More than 50 mortuary science degree programs are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, which is important because a degree from an accredited program is required for licensure in most states. Associate’s degrees in mortuary science are more common, but bachelor’s degree programs in the subject are also available, the BLS reported.

A mortuary science degree is a good choice for those who aspire to be their own bosses because half of the 60,400 funeral workers in the United States are self-employed, according to the BLS. They may run the business in its entirety, managing the day-to-day operations of the funeral home and handling business decisions like financial planning and staff recruitment and training. They also do the work of meeting with families to plan the memorial service and the burial or cremation, filing legal documents such as death certificates, embalming or otherwise preparing the body of the deceased and writing obituaries. Since funeral service workers are often on call in the evenings and on weekends and must be able to make preparations quickly following a death, being your own boss is beneficial in this industry because it allows for a flexible work schedule to accommodate the needs of the business and its clients.

Most Likely Job Title: Funeral Service Manager or Funeral Director

Salary: $53,390

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Funeral Service 

4. Exercise Physiology

If you pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, you’ll take a variety of classes in science and health subjects, including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, statistics, biomechanics, nutrition and kinesiology. Specific courses in subjects such as introductory exercise physiology, sports injury management, exercise pathophysiology, sports epidemiology and principles of strength and conditioning are common, as well. Programs that have earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs often include required clinical hours in a setting such as a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation facility. A number of schools offer master’s and even Ph.D. programs in exercise physiology and related studies. While most states don’t currently require exercise physiologists to be licensed, a number of states are considering implementing licensing requirements, the BLS reported. However, graduates from exercise physiology degree programs can seek the Exercise Physiologist Certified certification from the American Society of Exercise Physiologists or the Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist or Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist credentials from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Given that around half of all exercise physiologists working in the United States are self-employed, a degree in exercise physiology is a great choice for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, a knack for science and a passion for fitness. The reason exercise physiologists need such a strong background in science and health subjects is that their job responsibilities differ significantly from that of a fitness instructor or athletic trainer. Exercise physiologists are part of the healthcare industry. Doctors often refer patients who have chronic medical conditions to exercise physiologists for the purpose of developing a fitness routine that will help them improve their overall health and work toward recovery. To accomplish this work, an exercise physiologist must understand the patient’s medical history and use medical equipment to conduct tests, check vital signs and develop an exercise plan that works with the patient’s limitations and achieves the necessary health goals, like increasing cardiovascular function.

RELATED: How to Become a Personal Trainer: What Degree Should I Get?

Most Likely Job Title: Exercise Physiologist

Salary: $47,010

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Kinesiology, Exercise Science 

5. Music

Degree programs in music can take a number of forms. There are programs in music theory, music composition, music performance and music conducting. Programs exist at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A degree program in music theory encompasses music analysis and research as well as hands-on training in music skills. Composition degree programs include music training and studies in the elements of music and composition techniques with the goal of preparing students to create original music of their own. Degrees in applied music or music performance focus on cultivating a professional level of performance skills in one or more musical instruments. Orchestral conducting degree programs, which are often master’s degree programs, tend to involve a lot of study of musical scores, private lessons in leadership and rehearsal techniques and hands-on experience conducting actual professional choirs and orchestras. Music programs at the college – and especially the graduate – level can be very selective, particularly since these degree programs often include some form of private music lessons.

A degree in music isn’t necessary for all music careers. You don’t need a piece of paper to write a popular hit song or start a band that does local gigs. However, you do need more than a good ear. Professionals who work in the music field need training – like the hands-on music training offered in music degree programs – to learn to play their instruments well. A solid understanding of music theory and the elements of good music composition, whether gained through formal or informal education, is also essential for success at writing original songs. While two out of every five musicians, singers, composers and music directors work for themselves, having a music degree is often essential to get respected and well-paying work in music. For example, musicians who perform classical pieces, sing opera or direct a choir typically need a bachelor’s degree in music, while orchestral conductors often need a master’s degree, the BLS reported.

Most Likely Job Title: Music Director, Musician

Salary: $49,820

Self-employment by the numbers: 40 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Dance, Theatre 

6. Doctoral Degree in Psychology

There are different kinds of psychology degrees that can prepare candidates for different roles. Most psychologists need a doctorate, which typically requires five to seven years of study, to officially use the title “psychologist,” the BLS reported. A Ph.D. in psychology, which is the traditional doctoral degree in the field, focuses heavily on research and studies in experimental procedures and statistics. Students must design the procedures for and conduct their own original psychological research and then present those findings in a written doctoral dissertation. On the other hand, students who want to focus on working with patients in clinical settings may prefer to pursue a Psy.D., a professional program that focuses more on experience through practical work and exams and a yearlong internship. Some professionals in the field of psychology instead pursue a master’s degree, which can often be completed in just two years and typically focuses on clinical psychology, counseling psychology or industrial/organizational psychology.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

About one-third of the 173,900 psychologists in the United States are self-employed, the BLS reported. Psychologists who run their own practices manage the business aspects of the practice as well as the clinical or counseling work. They may handle administrative tasks like handling billing procedures, insurance company paperwork and appointment scheduling themselves or delegate those tasks to the employees they hire and train. Besides being the boss, self-employed psychologists are responsible for working with patients. Clinical psychologists do the work of diagnosing and treating the mental and emotional health conditions of their patients. Counseling psychologists use the counseling strategies they have cultivated in school and through work experience to help patients cope with and work through problems in their life and relationships. Since psychology professionals without a doctoral degree typically must work under the guidance of licensed psychologists, those with a Psy.D. and a focus on clinical or counseling psychology are most likely to become their own bosses.

Most Likely Job Title: Psychologist

Salary: $72,580

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy 

7. Doctor of Chiropractic

A Doctor of Chiropractic, or D.C., degree is what trains chiropractors in the art of spinal adjustment and manipulation for health benefits. Earning a D.C. usually takes students four years of full-time study. A D.C. is both a professional and postgraduate degree program, the BLS reported. As a professional degree, it prepares students for practical application of chiropractic techniques in a healthcare setting.  You might be surprised to learn that, even though it’s a postgraduate degree program, you don’t necessarily have to have a bachelor’s degree to earn your Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Applicants to D.C. programs need just 90 semester hours, or three years of full-time study, at the undergraduate level to apply. However, many chiropractors do complete their bachelor’s degrees before they begin their chiropractic studies. While there’s no specific major students should pursue to prepare for a D.C. program, studying biology, physics, chemistry and the liberal arts can be helpful. The relatively few Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs that have earned accreditation from the Council on Chiropractic Education include coursework in biology, anatomy and physiology as well as clinical training in diagnosing and assessing spinal problems and using spinal adjustment techniques.

One out of every three chiropractors is self-employed, the BLS reported. There are definitely benefits to running your own private chiropractic practice. Many chiropractors offer flexible appointment schedules, including evening and weekend appointments, for the convenience of their patients. A self-employed chiropractor can set his or her own hours and determine what days and times the practice should be open. Chiropractors who are their own bosses can also decide if they want to offer additional services, like rehabilitative exercise and massage therapy, and if they want to sell health and wellness products, like sports braces, in their practice. They must also be able to hire, train and oversee the staff working in their office. In order to prepare students for the challenges of running a practice as well as providing chiropractic services, some Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs incorporate coursework in business, particularly in management, finance and billing practices, in addition to traditional chiropractic subjects of study.

Most Likely Job Title: Chiropractor

Salary: $64,440

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

8. Hospitality

Hospitality management is a great field to go into if you want to work in tourism and develop your leadership skills. A hospitality degree program will often combine coursework from a number of disciplines, ranging from business management to laws and ethics and even food safety and nutrition. However, you can’t learn everything there is to know about tourism management from a book or a lecture in the classroom. Because many of the skills needed for success in the tourism industry – and in business management – are practical skills, most hospitality degree programs include hands-on training. Some programs require students to complete internships at hotels, restaurants and tourism destinations. Others run their own on-campus or off-campus lodging and dining establishments, where students can gain hands-on experience in every role of hospitality management. Depending on the school you choose to attend, your hospitality degree program could be part of a business college, human services department, agriculture and life sciences school or even its own distinct department or division.

A hospitality degree can prepare you for a variety of different jobs in the tourism industry, but two of the most common hospitality occupations are also among the most likely to be their own boss. Lodging managers are the professionals who oversee the operations of hotels and resorts. Food service managers run the business sides of restaurants, cafes, and other eating establishments. In both of these vocations, one in three professionals is self-employed, the BLS reported. While a college degree isn’t necessary to work in food service or in a hotel, the business and management skills you learn in a hospitality degree program are invaluable. When you run your own hotel or restaurant, in particular, it’s essential that you know how to make sound financial decisions, keep accurate financial records and manage staff, customer expectations and business logistics. You must also understand the importance of all of the roles involved in the day-to-day operations of a restaurant and hotel – a kind of familiarity you won’t develop just by working as a host, wait staff or concierge.

Most Likely Job Title: Lodging Manager or Food Service Manager

Salary: $48,690 – $49,720

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Hotel Management or Food Service Management

9. Film

In a good film and media arts degree program, your coursework will prepare you for a career in the entertainment industry. Coursework often includes studies in subjects such as introduction to film studies, film history, screenwriting, film theory, television, new media, cinematography and video editing software. Some degree programs or concentrations within those programs focus more heavily on cultural topics, like how race and gender are depicted in film, while others emphasize stylistic techniques in film or storytelling through screenwriting. It’s not unusual for a film degree program to incorporate coursework that covers the theoretical foundations and practical applications involved in every part of the filmmaking process, from writing the script to doing makeup and wardrobe and from decorating the set to directing the action on stage or before the camera. Many schools provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills through real experience – as well as their professional portfolios – while working on campus television stations or short film projects and challenges.

A film degree is an excellent starting place if you want to become a director or work as a film and video editor or camera operator. Film editors and camera operators are more likely than directors and producers to become their own bosses. About 30 percent of film and video editors are self-employed, the BLS reported, compared to just 20 percent of directors. Directors and camera operators and video editors work in the film and entertainment industry, but each serves a different role. Directors determine the creative choices that go into producing a motion picture or television show, overseeing the actors and personalities who appear in front of the camera as well as the behind-the-scenes work that goes into bringing the script to life. As the job title implies, camera operators and video editors do the work of actually recording the stories being told in the film and skillfully editing shots and sequences to tell that story in a meaningful way.

Most Likely Job Title: Film and Video Editors and Camera Operator, Director

Salary: $55,740 — $68,440

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 to 30 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Broadcasting, Acting, Journalism, Communications 

10. Dental School Degree

Completing dental school results in the award of one of three possible degrees: the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), the Doctor of Medical Dentistry (D.M.D.) or the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.D.M.). Whether you choose a D.D.S., D.M.D. or D.D.M. degree program, dental school requires a solid background in the sciences, including undergraduate coursework in chemistry and biology. A competitive score on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) is often necessary to gain acceptance into a program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. Once admitted, students learn about anatomy, radiology, use of local anesthesia for dental procedures and periodontics, the study of oral health and diseases, the BLS reported. Learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom. Dental school students attain clinical experience by diagnosing and treating real patients under the guidance of experienced dentists. After earning their dental school degrees, aspiring dentists must attain a license to practice in their state. Those who wish to specialize must also spend two to four years completing a residency in their intended dental specialty.

One in four dentists – more than 37,800 total – run their own private dental practice, the BLS reported. Some self-employed dentists work alone in their solo practices. Others hire reception staff and dental hygienists to assist with administrative duties and patient care. Still others manage group practices, where they work with partner and associate dentists. A dentist who is self-employed makes the big-picture business decisions. He or she may handle overseeing the day-to-day operations of the practice personally, or may delegate administrative, billing, bookkeeping and staff recruitment and training tasks to an office manager. While the dentist’s primary responsibility is caring for patients’ oral health by fixing and removing damaged teeth and using imaging equipment to check for problems, you can’t ignore the administrative duties when you are the one in charge of keeping the business running smoothly. Opportunities for dentists – and for opening your own dental practice – are increasing rapidly. The BLS expects career opportunities for dentists to increase by 18 percent over a decade, compared just 7 percent job growth expected across all occupations.

Most Likely Job Title: Dentist

Salary: $158,310

Self-employment by the numbers: 25 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: M.D. in Oral Surgery 

11. Interior Design

A degree program in interior design will teach you the fundamentals of developing indoor spaces that are both aesthetically appealing and functional. Most college degree programs in interior design include coursework in drawing and computer-aided design as well as the theories and applications of interior design principles. For example, interior design students may take courses in lighting and textiles to learn about the materials and light fixtures they can choose from when designing a space as well as classes in residential and commercial design practices. They learn to create two-dimensional designs on paper and three-dimensional digital models of their design ideas. As with other fields of study, whether a degree program has earned accreditation from a reputable agency can speak to the quality of the program. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and the National Kitchen & Bath Association are all agencies that accredit interior design degree programs, the BLS reported.

One-quarter of all interior designers in the United States are self-employed, according to the BLS. Perhaps that’s because several aspects of the career lend themselves to the flexibility of being your own boss. For one thing, interior designers often work non-standard hours, like evenings and weekends, for the convenience of clients who may have a more rigid work schedule. They also need to travel to the space they are designing to understand the location and its advantages and limitations. Interior designers’ success has a great deal to do with the quality of their people skills and design work, so skilled interior designers are often able to make a living working for themselves. As in other art and design careers, interior designers need to show their skills to get paying work – and that means compiling a portfolio of their most impressive designs. Of course, self-employed interior designers still need to handle the management and administrative tasks of keeping their business running.

Most Likely Job Title: Interior Designer

Salary: $48,840

Self-employment by the numbers: 25 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Industrial Design 

12. Master of Business Administration (MBA)

A Master of Business Administration degree program typically includes graduate-level courses in a variety of business subjects, including accounting, business law, economics, finance, international business, management and marketing. Often, an MBA degree program will provide students with the chance to specialize in an academic track or concentration that’s of interest of to them in addition to taking core general business courses. MBA programs may combine studies of business theory with practical problem-solving skills developed both in business scenarios explored in the classroom and through hands-on internship experiences. While two years is the typical length of time to complete a full-time MBA degree program, some schools offer accelerated one-year programs, while others offer part-time study options that allow working students to learn at their own pace without leaving the workforce. In addition to traditional MBA programs where classes take place on campus, online MBA programs have become popular among busy students juggling family and work responsibilities.

RELATED: What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Business Administration?

Of course, studying business management is an excellent idea if you’re going to run a business of your own. Such a degree program can teach you important skills, like how to manage your company’s finances, use sound accounting processes to keep accurate financial records, publicize your business to draw in new clients and handle the complicated logistics of coordinating work schedules and supply delivery. However, an MBA degree is particularly valuable for students who aspire to be self-employed because it can also prepare you for profitable business careers that lend themselves to entrepreneurship, like management consultant and management analyst. These professionals use their extensive knowledge of effective business practices to help companies improve efficiency, decreasing wasted time and money and increasing profits. One in five management consultants works for themselves, the BLS reported. They set their own hours and spend much of their worktime with clients at the sites of the businesses they are trying to improve.

Most Likely Job Title: Management Consultant, Management Analyst

Salary: $81,320

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Bachelor’s Degree in Business 

13. Bachelor of Architecture

In the United States, top Bachelor of Architecture degree programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. In dozens of states, having earned your degree from an accredited program is a requirement for obtaining an architecture license after graduation. Undergraduate architecture programs blend studies from a variety of subjects. When earning a Bachelor of Architecture, you can expect to study everything from the liberal arts to the physical sciences, from math to design. Of course, aspiring architects also study more specialized subjects, like construction methods, building structures, foundational theories of architecture, building design, architectural history and the use of computer-aided design software. While what you learn in the classroom is important, much of an architecture student’s development occurs in the design studio, as students develop their own building designs through sketches and three-dimensional models. Unlike most bachelor’s degree programs, a Bachelor of Architecture degree is designed to take five years of full-time study.

Of the 112,600 architects who are working across the United States, 20 percent happen to be their own bosses, the BLS reported. A benefit to entrepreneurship is that self-employed architects get to set their own schedules, which is a substantial advantage in an occupation that often includes tight deadlines and long hours. They may also choose to work from a home office, cutting out the daily commute and making it easier to work odd hours when necessary. Architects already need to be able to balance multiple job duties, such as interacting with clients, creating functional and visually appealing designs, collaborating with other professionals involved in the project and traveling to construction sites to assess the work being done. Those who are also running their own company must expand these existing multitasking and time-management skills to make sure that both the big-picture business decisions and the company’s daily operations are going smoothly.

Most Likely Job Title: Architect

Salary: $76,100

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Landscape Architecture, Engineering

14. Graphic Design

In an undergraduate degree program in graphic design, students take a variety of basic art and design courses. Common coursework ranges from design principles to printing techniques and studio art to computerized design, the BLS reported. Due to the importance and prevalence of computer graphics and design layout software systems, many graphic design programs involve courses that make use of these technologies. Coursework in color theory, typography, digital layouts and web design are also popular. Graphic design students often complete courses to develop their business knowledge, marketing skills and writing abilities, as well. For many graphic design students, cultivating a portfolio of professional-quality designs is nearly as important as the principles and practices they learn in the classroom. The portfolio is what will convey the student’s skills and artistic style to potential employers and clients after graduation. Graphic design degrees are offered at associate’s and bachelor’s degree levels, both on campus and in distance learning formats.

One in five graphic designers is self-employed, the BLS reported. Graphic design and entrepreneurship often go well together. Graphic designers develop the visual elements of publications, advertisements and product packaging. They create the art that conveys meanings and the layouts that organize the visual elements on the page. While some graphic designers are part of a team at a publishing company, advertising firm or design agency, it’s not unusual for a graphic designer to work alone. Graphic designers do, however, meet with clients directly to discuss new projects and the progress of ongoing projects. Being self-employed is an asset in these instances, because the graphic designer is free to alter his or her work schedule as necessary to fit in meetings with clients. Graphic designers who run their own firm often devote at least some time to finding new business by searching for and applying for new jobs, presenting their skills and ideas to potential clients and bidding on contracts for paid work.

Most Likely Job Title: Graphic Designer

Salary: $46,900

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Art 

15. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree isn’t an easy task. To even be admitted to one of these competitive doctoral degree programs, you will most likely need an undergraduate education with a background in science courses such as anatomy, animal science, biology, chemistry, microbiology, physiology and zoology. In a degree program that has earned accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, you will spend four years on your veterinary studies. For the first three years, your learning will take place in the classroom, in the lab and in clinical settings. During the fourth and final year of veterinary school, you will gain hands-on experience as you perform clinical rotations at a veterinary hospital, the BLS reported. Students in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program learn about that anatomy and physiology of various kinds of animals. They receive the training needed to prevent diseases and diagnose and treat medical conditions in pets, livestock and other types of animals.

About one in six veterinarians chooses to become their own boss, according to the BLS. Like doctors who work with human patients, self-employed veterinarians often run private solo practices. Some open group practices where they work with partner veterinarians or hire associate dentists. Self-employed veterinarians may set their own hours, often including occasional weeknight or evening appointments for the convenience of the human owners of their animal patients. Some veterinarians, particularly those who work with farm animals rather than exclusively with companion animals, may have to travel to owners’ homes or workplaces to care for animals that can’t be easily transported, like horses, or with groups of animals, like a brood of chickens. Though rewarding, the work of a veterinarian can be demanding and even hazardous. Sick and injured animals might not react tolerantly to being examined, while interacting with distressed pet owners can be emotionally draining. However, candidates who have an entrepreneurial spirit as well as a love for animals can make the most of a career as a self-employed veterinarian.

RELATED: How to Become a Veterinarian: What Major Do You Need to Be a Vet?          

Most Likely Job Title: Veterinarian

Salary: $88,490

Self-employment by the numbers: 17 percent

Editor’s Note: Of course, no degree or occupation guarantees success in entrepreneurship. However, the degrees and careers listed above are associated with high self-employment rates. Being your own boss can be both challenging and rewarding. For more information on any of the occupations listed in this article, visit the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which was the source for salary, career outlook, education and self-employment data. You can also learn more about entrepreneurship from the BLS Career Outlook article Self-Employment: What to know to be your own boss.

Related Resources:

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Where Are the Best Paying Jobs With a Degree in Interior Design?

What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

What Are My Degree Choices to Be a Film/TV Producer?

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

Best Major for Dentist: What Major Do You Need to Be a Dentist?

For Further Reading: 

How Much Can I Make With a Degree in Digital Marketing?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?

How Many Jobs Are Available in Finance?

What Is an Interior Designing Degree?

Architect vs Engineer: What Is the Benefit of an Engineering Degree Over an Architecture Degree?

The post 15 Degrees That Are Perfect for Becoming Your Own Boss appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you’re like most people, there was a time when cartoons were pure magic, when the characters and stories in Disney movies, Saturday morning cartoons, and even soda commercials were enthralling. If you’re like many others, your fascination with animated films and games stayed with you, growing more sophisticated but never going away. And if you’re like a select few, you picture a future involved in the magical yet challenging world of animation.

The animation profession brings together pure creativity, artistic craft, and technical know-how in a way that few other jobs do. Animators need to be artists, computer geeks, team players, independent thinkers. They must also have the patience to tirelessly complete the painstaking work of bringing still images to life, one frame at a time. If you have the passion, disposition, and skills required for an animation career, you’ll want to learn all the particulars about the industry and educational path. Our guide will introduce you to the field and explain what to expect from a degree in animation.

Jump To:

• What is Animation?
• How is Animation Different from VFX or Game Design?
• What Types of Animation Are There?
• What Classes Will I take for a Degree in Animation?
• What Software Will I Learn in an Animation Degree Program?
• What Can I do with a Degree in Animation?
• What is the Job Market with a Degree in Animation?
• What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in Animation?

What is Animation?

Animation, simply put, is the process of turning static images into moving images by displaying them in rapid sequence. From a flipbook to a CGI feature film, all animation works on this principle, though the techniques for achieving it vary wildly. Some of the earliest animations date back to the early 1800, when artistic inventors began tinkering with optical devices that could make a series of images appear to move. The ability to use film for animation revolutionized the art form, and early cartoons like Fleisher Studio’s “Felix the Cat” and Walt Disney’s “Steamboat Willie” created a sensation which has only continued to grow. Today, the term animation is applied to anything from motion graphics in an app ad, to a stop motion arthouse short, to CGI special effects in a blockbuster movie.

How is Animation Different from VFX or Game Design?

Like most contemporary animation, Game Design and VFX all exist in the world of CG, aka computer graphics. Web design and digital graphic design also rely on computer graphics. If you’re an artist working in the digital realm, you’re likely to interact with a little of each of these fields, and may even be considering a future in more than one of these areas. What sets each apart, and how do you know which is right for you?

To start, it’s important to distinguish between Animation, Game Design, and VFX by understanding the definitions of each, and their differences.

Animation

As we’ve seen, animation is all about creating the illusion of movement. In today’s world of animation, that almost always means creating digital drawings or digital models and moving them in an environment. This can be a fully digital setting (as in an all-CGI movie like WALL-E) or a CGI character integrated into a real environment (as with the animated gecko in the Geico commercials).

VFX

VFX stands for Visual Effects, and refers to creating and manipulating digitally-created images in a a live-action shot in the process of film making. VFX can create the illusion of things that would be difficult, dangerous, or costly to film. Common VFX examples include actions like explosions, creatures like aliens, effects like manipulating an actor’s apparent age, or adding props like lightsabers to a scene. Types of VFX processes include modeling, motion capture, matte background paintings, special effects, and compositioning.

Game Design

Game design refers to the creative and production work involved in designing the characters, gameplay, and environment or video games. These can take the form of educational apps, home gaming system games, or Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Game designers are tasked with creating characters, settings, and movement patterns with user experience in mind- each must be attractive and engaging and must also function within the context of the game, balancing fun with challenge. In larger game production undertakings, game designers can have different roles, such as environment designer, game mechanics designer, or lead designer.

It’s easy to see that there’s quite a bit of overlap in terms of the skills needed to succeed in each of these fields. Creativity and technical expertise are key, and so is the ability to collaborate. That said, expertise in programming will generally be more important in the field of game design, which usually mixes 3D work with programming tasks. The software programs used for each field also have some overlap, but some programs are better suited to different industries. For instance, 3D Studio Max is used extensively in VFX, while Toon Boom Harmony is popular in 2D animation.

Fortunately for those who are uncertain about which area is the best fit for them, there’s a lot of flexibility between these types of computer l graphics work. In fact, many people who earn an animation degree go into game design or VFX, and some with degrees in game design or VFX go into animation. Overall, your interest in, say, games versus films will likely be the determining factor in which of these fields you choose to pursue.

What Types of Animation Are There?

Animation has come a long way since the days of Steamboat Willie, when Walt Disney debuted his iconic mouse in 1928. The first animations were drawn on separate sheets of paper held in place by pegs and individually photographed. As time passed, artists invented new ways to create and capture images, new ways to sequence them, and new ways to streamline the process. Today, computer-generated images dominate the world of feature films, while independent artists keep more handmade forms of animation alive. Many other animated films, shorts, and clips blend traditional and digital techniques. New forms can be expected to continue cropping up as the animation industry and art form keeps evolving. An animation degree program will introduce students to all the main types of animation, and usually allow them to focus their studies on one area of interest.

Traditional animation

Traditional animation is also known as cel animation or hand-drawn animation, and was used throughout the 20th century. In this process, individual images were drawn, traced, and painted onto sheets of acetate (“cels”), which were laid down over static painted backgrounds and photographed with a rostrum camera onto motion picture film. The images were shown one after another, usually at a speed of 12 frames per second, to create the illusion of movement. Today’s hand-drawn animation is created using a similar process, but images are usually drawn directly on a computer tablet (often a Wacom Cintiq) or scanned onto computers and animated using software. Many animators today use the term “tradigital” to describe this blending of traditional and digital animation techniques.

Examples of traditional animation features, including those supported by some computer animation, include:

• Bambi
• The Little Mermaid
• Spirited Away
• Akira
• The Secret of Kells

2D Vector-based animation

The term 2D animation can be used to describe traditional and tradigital animation, but is generally taken to mean vector-based animation. In this fully computer-based technique, designs are drawn using computer-defined vector shapes, which can be easily manipulated, don’t require large files, and can be interpolated (filled in) by computers. In addition to making individual drawings, animators in 2D can create rigs (digital models) for characters, and move the body parts individually. This allows them to show a sequence of poses without redrawing the character.

This labor-saving technique made it possible to thousands of independent artists to create and share Flash-based animated shorts to YouTube beginning in the late 90s. Flash is now owned by Adobe, and has been renamed Adobe Animate. This and other 2D animation programs continue to be used extensively by independent animators and small studios.

Examples of vector-based animation include:

• Homestar Runner
• The Simpsons
• Family Guy
• AdventureTime

3D computer animation

3D commuter animation, aka CGI, came to the world’s attention in 1995 with Toy Story, the first feature-length computer-animated movie, directed by John Lassetter. Since then, it has evolved to become capable of more and more realistic depictions of people, animals, creatures, and effects. It’s capable of depicting incredibly nuanced, detailed, and believable worlds and characters, whether realistic or fanciful, and is now the primary way animated feature-length movies are made. Today’s animation degree programs tend to focus on this in-demand area of animation.

3D animation is fundamentally different from traditional or 2D animation methods. Instead of being based on drawings, CGI animation relies on models that are digitally “sculpted” in a computer program and fitted with a ‘skeleton’ that allows the animators to move and pose the models. Key poses are captured in a frame, and animated sequentially, just as in 2D animation. Animation software can interpolate (fill in the blanks by creating connecting poses) between these key frames to create a seamless movement. In some ways, animating in CGI is closer to creating and manipulating puppets than creating sequential drawings.

Examples of films featuring CGI include:

• Monsters Inc.
• Planet of the Apes
• The Lord of the Rings
• Bolt
• Star Wars Prequels

Motion graphics

Motion graphics is similar to both CGI and 2D vector animation, but takes place in a completely different context. Instead of being driven by characters or story, motion graphics is a non-narrative form of animation that’s applied to logos, text, and images. It can mean the animated swooshing shapes in the transition from field to sports desk during a sports game, the rotating logo in a commercial, animated demonstrative graphics in an explanatory video, or the opening titles in a feature film. Motion graphics doesn’t necessarily draw attention to itself. Instead, it draws the viewer’s attention to the details and information that the creator of a video wants viewers to notice.

Motion graphics grew out of video editing, which had long been a time-consuming (and therefore expensive) process. The development of programs like Apple Motion and Adobe After Effects made it possible for small productions to add animated sequences to what would otherwise be static elements like titles. Today, it’s a simple matter for even individuals and small businesses to add motion graphics to their sites and YouTube videos, while news programs and commercials have motion graphics that are sleeker and more seamless than ever.

As with other forms of animation, motion graphics requires an understanding of composition, camera motion, and design. Unlike traditional, 2D and CGI animation, though, knowledge of modeling and drawing isn’t essential. In this form of animation, a strong sense of graphic design is essential, including the ability to work with text and shapes in computer programs.

Examples of motion graphics can be seen in:

• News programs
• Sports broadcasts
• Movie titles
• TV commercial
• Mobile app ads

Stop motion

Stop motion is unique in the world of animation- it relies on the manipulation of three-dimensional physical objects. Stop motion has existed since 1887 (with the creation of The Humpty Dumpty Circus), but set the standard in Hollywood special effects for live-action films in the mid-century, with innovators like Ray Harryhausen, who created stop motion animation sequences in Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans.

Stop motion is created by photographing an object, moving it slightly, then taking another photo, and repeating the process to make a sequence of movements when played together. The process is identical to traditional animation, but relies on photographic real-world figures and environments instead of drawn ones. Like traditional animation, the process of creating a stop motion video is very time-consuming, as each object needs to be moved by mere fractions of an inch to capture each individual frame and create the illusion of a fluid movement.

There are several forms of stop motion animation, and well-known animated films featuring each. These include:

• Claymation (e.g. Wallace and Grommet)
• Puppets (e.g. Nightmare Before Christmas)
• Cut-outs (e.g. early South Park)
• Silhouettes (e.g.Tales of the Night)
• Action Figures (e.g. Robot Chicken)

Which area of animation should you pursue? This will depend on your interests and professional goals. Stop motion and hand-drawn animation are usually associated with more artsy, small-studio projects. That can mean high creative fulfillment but less lucrative work. TV and film use a lot of CGI, and specializing in one area of this branch of animation (e.g. modeling) can mean better professional prospects. Motion graphics is more commercial and less creative in terms of work, but is a great role if you’re looking for a well-paying a steady job.

What Classes Will I take for a Degree in Animation?

Animation degrees are offered as fine arts degrees, meaning you’ll be training for a professional future in the commercial or fine art world. That means you’ll be taking all art-related classes (as opposed to, say, humanities), and developing a portfolio throughout your program. An animation degree will typically provide a background in different animation forms, and will also allow students to focus on a particular area of interest through their choice of electives.

In order to be able to animate well, it’s essential to understand how to create an image that’s pleasing to the eye. Whether you spend your career animating logos or sculpting character models, you’ll need to understand how to effectively use color, balance shapes, and make forms visually understandable. An animation degree starts with these basics, with classes like:

• life drawing
• color theory
• principles of design
• drawing and building form
• sculpture
• media studies

After establishing a foundation in the visual medium and a general art sensibility, you’ll learn the ins and outs of animation. Classes will be very hands-on and project based, with many assignments based on real-world problems, such as designing a character to fit a description. Common course titles in an animation major include:

• animation preproduction
• story development
• character design
• Principles of 3-D Animation
• Concept Development
• animation production
• Digital Cel Animation
• motion graphics
• postproduction
• action analysis

In addition to studio-based classes, an animation degree typically includes some professional development courses that give students an introduction to navigating the field and work environment. Many animation degree programs include experiential learning, such as an internship or practicum working with production crews and animation teams. Animation is a competitive field where demonstrated know-how and teamwork are essential to success, and proving yourself at an animation internship even before you graduate can give you a big leg up in the field. Animation degree programs also help students develop a portfolio of mock-professional projects (such as animated commercials, characters, and logos) to demonstrate their skills to potential employers and clients. The biggest part of a student’s portfolio is usually completed as their final project, a single semester-long undertaking completed at the end of their studies that brings all their skills together in one animation project, such as a CGI short.

What Software Will I Learn in an Animation Degree Program?

Gone are the days when making a cartoon meant hand-drawing Mickey Mouse ten thousand times. Animation software has made the work of animation much easier in some ways and much more difficult in others. Software can automate many of the tasks that animators once had to do by hand, and makes it possible to create more lifelike environments, characters, and movements than ever. On the other hand, it’s essential for today’s animators to learn multiple complex animation software programs, and stay abreast of new ones as they are developed.

Animation degree programs provide basic training in some of the essential software programs used by animators in different areas of the industry. If your role requires more advanced expertise in a particular program, you may need to complete further training or simply gain practice to be able to use a particular software program at a professional level.

Some of today’s most popular professional level animation software programs include:

Toon Boom Harmony

Toon Boom is a great program for tradigital, vector, and some traditional animation. Toon Boom Harmony has a user-friendly toolset, including rigging systems, effects and camera tools.

Adobe Animate

The most popular of 2D animation programs, Adobe Animate started as Flash before being acquired by creative software giant, Adobe. This vector-based program has an intuitive interface and meshes well with Adobe’s other programs.

Adobe After Effects

Another Adobe product, this is an editing program which can be used for creating rigs for 2D animation or for motion graphics. Like Adobe Animate, it’s well-integrated with other Adobe products and intuitive to use.

Autodesk Maya

Maya is the go-to industry standard software for 3D animation, and can be found in most animation studios. It is very similar in user interface and function to 3DS Max, also owned by Autodesk.

Autodesk 3DS Max

3DS Max can be used for 3D modeling, rendering, animation, and compositing. Animators working in games, film, and motion graphics frequently make use of this robust tool.

Blender

Blender is a popular CGI software program that offers modeling, lighting, texturing, animation and post-processing functionality, along with interoperability and a small footprint. It’s price tag is as attractive as its features; Blender is free and open-source.

Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D is used heavily in the field of motion graphics, functioning as a 3D program for the After Effects user. Its versatility and intuitive interface make it a popular program, but it has limited applications outside the field of motion graphics.

Dragonframe

There are several low-cost beginner tools for stop motion, such as iStopMotion, but Dragonframe is the essential go-to for professional stop motion. Because of the physicality of stop motion, with its models and sets, mechanical devises for lighting and shooting are important, and Dragonframe can integrate with attachments like a device that controls the lights, camera, lights and focus on a scene.

What Can I do with a Degree in Animation?

A bachelor’s in animation is the preferred degree in the field, and most employers of animators require a bachelor’s in animation, game design, or graphic design. This four-year undergraduate degree provides a thorough training in the history, practice, tools, and profession of animation. A bachelor’s degree program also guides students in developing a portfolio of mock professional work, which can demonstrate technical skills for potential employers.

A bachelor’s in animation can lead you to a number of careers related to motion graphics. With a bachelor’s in animation, you could work in:

• studio animation
• game design
• web design
• VFX

Each of these fields has many areas of sub-specialty. For instance, in animation, some professionals work as storyboard artists, laying out scenes in shot by shot in panels, like a comic strip, to show how each will be framed. In game design, some professionals work as level designers, creating the appearance and layout of the different levels of a video game. In VFX, some professionals specialize in motion effects, capturing images of an actor’s movements through sensors and then mapping these onto animated three-dimensional characters.

Animation studios and other employers tend to look for job candidates with a strong portfolio, demonstrated technical skill, and expertise with relevant software programs. They also tend to hire, and advance, those who have shown excellent communication, teamwork, and time management.

What is the Job Market Can I Get with a Degree in Animation?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs in animation and multimedia arts will grow about 8% from 2016 to 2026, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. Consumers love the realism of CGI, and demand for those who can create digital animation and effects will remain robust. Jobs in animated graphics for mobile app are also expected to grow quickly.

Competition for these jobs will be high, though, as animation and game development are hot jobs that attract lots of driven and talented people. In fact, dice.com reports that video game designer is the nation’s hottest tech job. Companies are also increasingly sending some of the technical work in movies and animation overseas, where the cost of labor is lower. This means that having

How Much Can I Earn with an Animation Degree?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for Multimedia Artists and Animators is $72,520 per year. Those working in creative roles like character design tend to earn lower salaries, while those with leadership roles like animation director make higher salaries. Working in technical direction or on commercial films also leads to higher pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that software publishers earn $82,360 annually and animators in the motion picture and video industries earn $77,860.

In looking at income, it’s important to also consider work environment. A full 59% of animators are freelancers, usually working on a contract basis for studios. This means a high degree of professional freedom, but at a considerable price; self-employed professionals usually miss out on benefits like IRA contributions and health insurance, and pay higher rates of income tax.

Further Reading:

• What Does an Animator Do?
• What Jobs are There with a Degree in Animation, Visual Effects, or Graphics?
• 23 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
• What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s Degree?
• 25 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees for 2019
• What is the Median Salary for an Animator?
• What Can I Do with a Graphic Design Degree?
• What Industries Hire Graduates with a Degree in Graphic Design?
• What is the Benefit of a Degree in Environmental Science vs Environmental Design?
• What is the Benefit of a Master’s Degree vs a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design?
• What Can I Do with an Art Degree?
• What is the Benefit of Having a Degree in Web Design?
• What Classes will I Take in a Visual Communications Degree?
• What Jobs are There with a Degree in Graphic Design?
• 50 Best Online Degrees for 2019
• Where Can I Use my Degree in Web Development?

The post What Can I Do With An Animation Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

]]>