Making money at your art is fulfilling.
As with any job where supply outstrips demand, you might take a while to earn big money as an artist. Earning a high salary will depend on a number of factors, such as skill, of course, but also persistence and years in the industry. Sometimes, an artist merely waits for someone to retire or die, at which time an opportunity for advancement and more money opens up. In the meantime, one piece of advice should be heeded: build up a portfolio, whether in a high-school paper or a nonprofit publication. A thick portfolio shows dedication and perseverance, and provides practice.
Production Designer
If you are lucky enough to ply your trade as a production designer on the set of a big Broadway musical or a big-budget film, you've probably already slogged your way through plays staged way off-Broadway and through extremely low-budget films. Prepare to put in the hours of research and work. Production designers on high-profile sets can earn top dollar. Candidates need to receive relevant training in the arts, then accumulate experience. An ability to proceed independently, yet also work effectively with other artistic personnel such as costume designers, forms a critical part of your skill set. Tasks include reading scripts and research into history, settings and characters.
Advertising Artist
Advertising artists must embrace the pressures of tight deadlines to survive and thrive in the industry. Bosses look for a portfolio including storyboards, varied layout styles and thumbnail ideas. Your prospective employers ply their trade on the Web, via direct sales, and in print publications as well as television and movies. Artists require computer literacy with graphic software. The key for a successful career in this area is to aim for the higher end of the market, such as agencies engaging high-profile clients who sell popular items. You may have to work your way up, as with all artistic jobs, but with persistence, you might find an open door.
Directors
Art directors can potentially enjoy very high wages. Art directors create a layout, work closely with artists and maintain a budget set by the creative director. This latter position might be your ultimate goal, but it can take years to achieve since this individual also often holds the post of vice president. The creative director makes rough sketches of ideas, then passes them along to the artistic director. He also manages the creative side of accounts and supervises such activities as photo shoots.
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