Training in art and design can lead to a career working as a fine artist, designer, craftworker or art teacher - as well as all sorts of other jobs. Careers in art and design can span many different specialist areas, from painting, photography and prop design to architecture, animation and art conservation.

Below you'll find links to videos created by employers and organisations in the sector to help you get a taste of what working in this sector is like.

Videos:

Foundation Art and Design: Abingdon and Whitney College explain what a foundation Art courses looks like. 

Subject Guide Videos:
An impartial guide to university courses - featuring expert speakers and on demand webinars.
These impartial videos support students who are considering university to make informed future subject decisions. They feature guest speakers from a range of different universities, who are always experts in the subject being explored.

Overview of the UK's creative arts sector: The UK's creative industries boast a range of interesting and exciting careers for those looking to enter a thriving and innovative sector, with opportunities ranging from jobs involved with arts, culture and design to working in video gaming or the media.

Becoming an Architect: RIBA Learning, in partnership with Found Futures, proudly presents this captivating short film designed to inform and inspire you about the dynamic pathways to becoming an architect.

Unifrog free webinars

Live webinars across a variety of careers - requires booking.

Adviza Podcasts and Past Webinars:

Podcasts for Design, Arts and Crafts

We have recorded many useful webinars with a huge variety of employers and sector champions. Have a look in our Past Webinar section.

The webinars are in date order. You may want to check out these dates to find webinars in relation to design, Arts and Crafts: 

• 23rd May 2023 - The Textiles Industry
• 7th December 2021 - Employer Webinar (Jaywing Marketing Agency)

Don't forget to have a look at the upcoming webinars in our Events section!

Virtual work experience opportunities:

Halliday Fraser Munro.

The two work experiences:

The Design Work Experience – This experience is made up of two tasks, the first to get you familiar with SketchUp and the second to design a house for a celebrity. (Approximate time to complete – 30 hours)
‍
The Technical Work Experience – Our newest work experience task is to design and construct a new-build contemporary extension using Revit. (Approximate time to complete – 30 hours)

Architecture: Interested in a career in architecture but not sure where to start? This programme will help lay the foundations for your understanding of the world of architecture. You’ll explore the different careers available and learn more about working in the industry through a series of workplace projects.

Fashion: Interested in a career in fashion but not sure where to start? This programme will help you experience the fashion industry, explore the careers available and learn more about working in the industry through a series of workplace projects.

Speakers For Schools

Try different jobs in real life through free VWEX so you can find the best fit for you.  Speakers for Schools are a non-profit organisation offering free UK-wide work experience. 

Explore Forage Work Experience Programs   

Media to Explore:

Many young people have been inspired by TV shows, movies etc. to follow a particular career. We have collated some resources here for you to discover. We have included podcasts because they are the best way to get real insight into the industry’s current dynamics and are a great way to demonstrate knowledge and passion in personal statements and interviews.

Please note, we have not specified the platforms for these resources as they can change over time. We suggest you do a web search for the title – you will often find them on YouTube in their entirety. Some titles will only be available for a fee or subscription.

Please be aware that not all of the titles below are appropriate for all ages. Please check the age appropriateness before watching. Common sense media are a good resource to use to do this.

Architecture & Interiors

TV Factual:   Dream Bathrooms and Kitchens, Masters of Flip, New Home DIY, George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, Grand Designs, The Great Interior Design Challenge, The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes, Stay Here, Amazing Interiors, Interior Design Masters, Tiny House Nation

TV Reality:  Escape to the Chateau, Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country, Your Home Made Perfect

Design & Furniture Design

TV Factual: The Repair Shop, Make it at Market 

Fashion

TV Factual: McQueen, Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams, Dior and I, Franca: Chaos and Commotion, Jeremy Scott, The Steve Madden Story, The September Issue, 7 Days Out (Chanel), The Future of Fashion, The Director – An Evolution

TV Reality:  Project Catwalk, Next in Fashion, Making The Cut

TV Drama: Halston, The Collection, Emily in Paris

Film: Funny Face, Pret a Porter, The Devil Wears Prada, Coco Before Chanel, Phantom Thread

Graphic Design

TV Factual: Abstract, The Art of Design, Helvetica, The Man Behind the Poster, Graphic Means

Art

TV Factual: Art: Grayson’s Art Club, Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year, The Art Show on Sky Arts, Secrets of The Museum, Fake or Fortune, Glow Up, Make Up , A Glamorous History

BBC Arts

Sky Arts

BBC Four Arts 

Film: Mr Turner, Maudie, Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-qiang, Loving Vincent, Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict, Frida, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Girl with a Pearl Earring

Art & Design Radio & Podcasts:  99% Invisable (architecture), SketchUp(3D modelling) Dressed; the History of Fashion (Fashion), In Vogue: The 2000’s, The Business of Fashion, Beauty Fix, On Design, The Modern House, Another Architecture Podcast, The Deeply Graphic Designcast, The Honest Designers Show

The Eric app

The Eric app is for young people who are 16+ with an interest in careers in the creative industries.

So if you're looking for work experiences or internships, creative competitions, careers events or workshops & other early-careers opportunities take a look! 

Useful Websites:

eCLIPS - Art and Design

National Careers Service – Creative and Media 

Interior Design - Advice on careers and qualifications

How to Become an Interior Designer - 11 Experts Share Their Advice (arts.ac.uk) - Advice from designers 

Screen Skills - Events, information and vacancies on careers in the creative industries 

Discover Creative Careers - Information, case studies on careers in the creative industries 

CC Skills - News, skills, training and case studies for the creative industries

All About Careers - Information on individual creative career areas 

Design Week - information and tips about getting into design industries and design related job vacancies

If You Could – Information and job vacancies on creative companies  

Prospects - Information and routes into creative careers 

Target Careers - Creative careers information  

A-N - Alternative insights and news about art, artists and the visual arts

QS Top Universities – Information on arts degrees and skills gained 

Interior Design Company - Ham Interiors (full service)

Art and Design Foundation Course Information:

(Generally this course involves one year of intensive study which includes studying a range of art and design topics and then choosing one area to specialise in and preparing a portfolio of work e.g. for applying to degree courses)

The Uni Guide - Portfolio building, comparing courses 

The Complete University Guide - Rankings for art and design courses 

Local Examples of Art and Design Foundation Courses:

Oxford Brookes University  

Abingdon and Witney College 

New College (Swindon, Wiltshire)