Virtually anyone can leverage their natural aptitudes in the tech industry, and artistic design is no exception. There are all sorts of design careers in tech, and each offers you a chance to earn a high salary. No matter what your design skills are, you can find something to excel in. And it’s not just visual design that the industry needs—audio, interface, and systems designers are all a big part of what makes the digital world tick. If you have exceptional design skills, an interest in art, or a desire to improve your salary, check out these top three design careers in tech!
Graphic Designer
There’s plenty of opportunity for visual artists in the tech industry. Graphic designers are employed by advertising companies, tech firms, startups, and virtually everyone else that needs something drawn up. You don’t need any coding experience to work as a graphic designer, but knowing how to code can open doors to your career. Coding and design skills allow you to build visually pleasing interactive website features and many other digital products—all of which are in demand. In the United States, graphic designers usually earn between $40,000 and $80,000, but salaries can vary based on several factors.
Game Designer/Developer
Yes, you can actually make a great living designing video games. As you can imagine, there’s quite a lot of design work that goes into the development of a game. In this position, you can design characters, program features, interfaces, write storylines, work on the soundtrack—virtually anything you can think of. Game design is a highly competitive field, so it’ll take some dedication to break into this industry. But with a good set of coding skills and an excellent portfolio, you’ll be able to apply for these jobs. Game designers make an average of $112,243, but salaries differ significantly between companies. Experience is always a plus in this field.
User Interface Designer
User interface, or UI, is an excellent design field for people who are particularly interested in creating attractive and functional systems. User interface developers work on websites, software, games, apps, and other systems, designing the interface that people interact with. These programmers help create products that are helpful, easy to use, and attractive. User interface designers earn an average of $80,000 per year in the United States, with top-earning professionals taking home more than $100,000—usually after accumulating a few years of experience.
Do I Need a College Degree for a Tech Design Job?
The answer to this question depends on who you want to work for, but the general answer is no. There was once a time when a college degree was necessary for high-paying work in this field, but that’s not the case anymore. The tech industry grew past the expectations of the boldest economists, and demand for qualified workers has outstripped supply by a serious margin. A recent survey found that at least 65% of tech hiring managers recognize this issue, which is part of the reason why coding bootcamps are becoming so popular. Tech needs qualified workers, and coding bootcamp trains people fast and effectively to work in the industry. It’s not college—and it’s not designed to be. With the help of a coding bootcamp, you can learn the skills you need to qualify for an entry-level design job in tech, with or without a college degree.
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