Why study art and design?

Whether you’re a compulsive doodler, love visiting art galleries or can’t stop snapping photos on your phone – if you’re captivated by the visual, art and design could be for you.

As well as delving into the history of art – ancient and modern – and honing your own artistic technique, you’ll develop a whole host of skills that will serve you whatever career path you pursue.

‘Art and design hones physical dexterity and precision – making it the perfect background to a hands-on career’

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What is art and design?

In art and design, you’ll study visual mediums to communicate ideas, emotions and stories. You’ll learn to use a variety of materials and techniques, from traditional drawing and painting to digital design and photography.

You'll explore different art movements, learn about artists and their work, as well as the history of art and how it influences the work of artists today.

You’ll also get practical – experimenting with art forms like painting, sculpture, photography and digital media. You’ll develop an understanding of design principles and how to apply them to real-world projects.

If you study art and design at A-level, you’ll create a portfolio of work to showcase your skills and ideas.

What employability skills will I get?

Studying art and design helps you develop a rich mixture of practical and intellectual skills which are useful across subjects and career paths:

• Attention-to-detail – you’ll learn how to focus on the finer aspects of your work, improving your eye for precision and quality.
• Communication – art is all about expression, and studying art and design teaches you how to communicate ideas visually.
• Creativity – you’ll develop your ability to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas.
• Physical dexterity – you’ll develop steady hands and coordination through activities like drawing, painting, sculpting and model-making.
• Technical skills – you’ll master a range of specialist artistic techniques and advanced hands-on skills that are essential in many creative careers.

What subjects does art and design go with?

Art and design pairs well with subjects that involve creativity and visual thinking, such as design and technology, particularly the product design pathway you can study at GCSE and beyond.

If you’re interested in the arts and performing arts more broadly, consider taking art and design alongside a subject such as music or drama.

You should make sure you take at least one facilitating subject – subjects looked on favourably by universities, whatever subject you want to study – at A-level/equivalent. History and English are good facilitating subjects if you’re planning an artistic career, as they will help you develop an understanding of artistic and cultural movements.

What degrees do I need art and design for?

If you want to study an art-related subject – such as fine art – at university, A-level art and design is a good foundation. Your portfolio will help demonstrate your ability. A-level art and design can also help if you want to study history of art, although it is not essential.

Other subject areas art and design can help with are architecture, fashion design and photography.

What apprenticeships is art and design useful for?

Art and design is a great foundation for many creative or hands-on apprenticeships, including programmes in the trades. Examples include:

• Furniture restorer – Repair and bring new life to old furniture, using creative and technical skills to preserve craftsmanship.
• Photographer – Capture images that tell stories or promote products, working creatively with cameras, lighting and editing software.
• Scenic artist – Paint and create sets for theatre, film and TV, helping bring creative visions to life on stage and screen.
• Storyboard artist – Plan out visual scenes for films, TV shows or games, sketching key moments to guide production teams.
• VFX artist or technical director – Create special effects for films, TV or games, blending creativity with advanced digital technology.

What careers can art and design lead to?

Art and design can pave the way to a career in the creative industries. For example, you could work on storyboarding, visual effects or set design in TV, film and theatre. Alternatively, you could work as an illustrator in the publishing industry or as a graphic designer in advertising or marketing.

Many artists and designers work freelance – that means they are self-employed, often hiring out their services for one-off projects. For example, illustrators often work on books and publications, while graphic designers provide artistic skills for websites, magazines and adverts.

You could pursue a career in fine art – as a painter or sculptor, for example. However, it can be hard making it as an artist, and you may need other work to help cover your day-to-day living expenses.

• Art therapist
• Artist
• Graphic designer
• Illustrator
• Museum/art gallery curator
• Packaging designer
• Photographer
• Web designer

Top five Career Zones to explore:

• Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
• Art & Design
• Fashion & Beauty
• Performing Arts
• Publishing & Media

Other subjects in our Why study? series

• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Computing
• Design and technology
• Drama
• Economics
• English language and literature
• Geography
• History
• Languages
• Maths
• Media studies
• Music
• Physical education (PE)
• Physics
• Psychology
• Religious studies (RS)
• Sociology