What Jobs Use Creativity? A Comprehensive Guide

For naturally creative people, searching for jobs can feel a bit challenging. They may think that any job that is not obviously artistic could force them to either give up something they really enjoy or settle for a lower salary. If you think that way, you should know it’s not the case, as there are a wide variety of jobs that use creativity.

This article will address this topic by answering questions like, what is creativity, and, is creativity in high demand? It will also shed more light on why you need a creative career, how you can get one, the best types of creative jobs, and other relevant information on this topic. 

What Is Creativity?

Creativity is the ability to develop new ideas, objects, or methods to make something in reality. It is the ability to think in original ways and to turn those ideas into innovative products or ways of doing things. It involves conceiving new concepts or finding connections between different topics to build something new. Creativity is thinking, then taking action. 

Creativity is also a skill and a practice. Everyone has some level of creativity. You may feel you have a lot of natural creativity, but you can also work on enhancing your creative thinking skills. To bring your creativity to life, you need to dedicate time and space to develop it on a daily basis. 

Is Creativity in High Demand?

Yes. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that many jobs that require creativity will be more in demand in the coming years. For example, jobs for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are expected to grow 10 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is slightly above the national average of seven percent. 

Types of Jobs That Require Creativity

There is a wide range of creative fields you can choose from to pursue a creative career. If you are interested in using your creative skills to earn a living, you can consider these types of jobs listed below. The list is not exhaustive but will give you an idea of the many different career options for creative workers. Who knows, you may just find the perfect career path for you. 

Visual Art Jobs

The most obvious creative occupations are jobs in the visual arts field. Some top visual art jobs include sculpting, painting, commercial photography, printmaking, craft artists, architecture, and film making. Art careers involve creating products of aesthetic appeal that allow the artist to use their artistic skills to express themselves or their perspective of the world. 

Content Creation Jobs

Under content creation, there are several good jobs you can do to earn money and use your creative abilities. You can become a content writer for an advertising agency or start your own blog, you can work as a social media manager, a content manager, or an author. There are many entry-level positions for creative writing graduates to get started in content creation.

Musical Jobs

Musical jobs require a high level of creativity and originality. Some musical roles that might interest you include music composition, writing lyrics, performing music, music production, playing instruments, sound engineering, and creative director. 

How to Establish a Career in Creativity

If starting a career path in the creative industry seems like what you would like to do but find it daunting, we have briefly highlighted a few steps that can help you. 

1. Take a Course. Some creative jobs require high-level education, such as a degree in communications. In other cases, short courses from bootcamps tailored to a specific technical skill can help fast-track your creative skills and allow you to gain certifications. 
2. Get Experience. It’s a great idea to gain some work experience while learning a course. This can help you in the future. You can apply for internships while studying to give you much-needed exposure you can build on. 
3. Build Your Portfolio. Building a portfolio for a couple of months after rounding up your course is a good idea. For example, if you want to create a graphic design portfolio you can approach non-profits or a local business and offer to create some marketing materials for free. 
4. Apply for Jobs. Once you have created a strong resume and a stellar portfolio, submit applications for the kind of roles that interests you. You have to be persistent and research the company you’re applying to. 
5. Never Stop Learning. The creative industry is a very dynamic one that requires constant learning and re-learning. Things are always changing so you must keep up to speed if you want to stay relevant. 

The 15 Best Jobs That Use Creativity

Jobs that use creativity cut across many industries, from fashion, to gaming, to architecture and marketing. No matter what fields interest you, you most likely have a career choice to pick from. Listed below are 15 of the top creative jobs, along with their salary information and other relevant details. 

*Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data on Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

**Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data on Web Developers and Digital Designers

What Careers Use Creativity? An In-Depth List

Content Manager

Content managers supervise content development and its distribution to the target audience. They focus on search engine optimization (SEO) for content by using digital marketing software and tools. A good content manager must have interpersonal and project management skills.

Social Media Manager

Social media managers create social media strategies that work well with the goals of an organization. Social media managers have the final input on which platforms best fit a marketing campaign and the kind of creative content the team will use. To become a social media manager you must hone your communication skills and creative skills.

Creative Director

Creative directors are among the highest creative earners. Creative directors can work with an agency or freelance. They head a creative team to develop and bring creative works to life. In most cases, creative directors must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and lots of experience.

Architect

Architects design buildings using a blend of mathematical skill and artistic ability. Architects must also understand design principles. To become an architect, you must learn the properties of building materials and any mechanical or structural issues that may come up. 

Video Game Designer

A video game designer’s work cuts across a wide range of areas. The role can refer to a level designer who works to create individual levels. It can refer to a video game developer who writes the code that powers the game. Video game creative directors use their creative skills to work on the concept, gameplay, story, and characters of a game. 

User Interface (UI) Designer

UI designers create all the interfaces that are used to navigate a website or an app. UI designers work directly with user experience (UX) designers to make sure the navigation of a website or app is not only intuitive, but also visually appealing. Often UI and UX design can be combined into one role, but larger companies allow you to specialize. 

User Experience (UX) Designer

User experience (UX) is an interesting field where design meets psychology. UX designers, also known as product designers, conduct research with the target users of an app or website, and develop the layout and navigation based on the results of the research. They work with other designers, developers, and analysts to improve the experience for users.

Fashion Designer

Fashion designers come up with new clothing designs, innovate on products for the fashion market, and supervise the process of production. Fashion designers make illustrations for a new product, presenting their ideas to clients or superiors for approval. Fashion designers can use creative materials to stay ahead of trends.

Copywriter

Copywriters create writing to inform and connect with an audience. They can work in the marketing and advertising industries and have a variety of styles to work with. They do SEO for websites, brand writing, and marketing materials. Almost every business needs copywriters to effectively sell their products to their target audience. 

Interior Designer

Interior designers plan, design, and make specifications of details for the inside spaces of buildings. This can vary from creating designs for large spaces like industrial and commercial spaces to smaller spaces such as residential homes. 

Event Planner

Event planners organize and coordinate the activities of different types of events such as birthdays, conferences, industry events, weddings, and seminars. The creative element of event planning is conceptualizing and bringing to life experiences people will enjoy. Event planners arrange every aspect of the event and are also involved in promoting the event. 

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual designs that convey a message while capturing the attention of customers. Graphic designers have an eye for how colors, layouts, and typography fit together to create striking images that inspire the viewers’ curiosity. To become a graphic designer, you can attend a bachelor’s degree program or a graphic design bootcamp. 

Tattoo Artist

This job is very delicate as there is no room to make mistakes when applying permanent ink to people’s skin. Tattoo artists are innovative and come up with new ideas for clients. They must also follow all safety protocols such as sterilizing needles and teaching clients how to take care of new tattoos to prevent infection. 

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Photographer

Photographers combine technical skills with creative ability to take aesthetically appealing shots. Many photographers are self-employed and work as freelancers. Some work with publications as their in-house photographer or for creative agencies. Photographers can cover events like weddings, or take photos of nature and places. 

Beauty Therapist

Beauty therapists do different types of beauty treatments for clients, which involve body treatments, skincare, spa therapy, nail care, and aromatherapy. Beauty therapists may also be asked to perform administrative tasks like welcoming clients and taking bookings. 

Should You Get a Job That Requires Creativity?

Yes. Getting a creative job can benefit you in several ways. Creative occupations often combine analytical skills, emotional intelligence, and artistic skills in a role that is challenging and rewarding. The more you exercise your creative skills, the more you will improve and keep your brain active. Creative positions tend to feel less like work and have greater job satisfaction.

Jobs That Use Creativity FAQ