The Most Creative Jobs Ranked by Creativity
Getting a job in design or the arts isn’t always the creative boon you might have hoped for. Whether its misleading job descriptions, micromanagers making all of the creative decisions or impossible deadlines killing your vibe, some creative jobs just aren’t as creative as they first appear. Let’s take a look at some of the more common design jobs and assess them based on the level of creativity involved.
While this analysis focuses on creative jobs in Australia, the information likely applies to creative jobs all over the world.
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers use their artistic skills to communicate ideas through visual content. They work in a variety of industries, including advertising, publishing, and web design. While graphic designers do have a lot of creative freedom in their work, they also often have to adhere to stringent brand guidelines, client briefs and deadlines, which can limit their creativity. In theory, graphic design should be an extremely creative job with a ton of variety to boot. In practice though, demanding clients, time pressure and monotonous tasks can suck the creativity out of it.
Pros
- Variety of projects
- Lots of creative freedom
- Variety of tools and mediums
Cons
- Tight deadlines
- Lower salaries than other design jobs
- Monotonous tasks at times
Current job listings
UX Designer
UX designers are tasked with creating user-friendly and engaging designs for websites, apps, and other digital products. They use their creative skills to solve user problems and improve the overall experience of a product. While UX designers can have a fair degree of creative control, they also need to consider the practicality of their designs and how users will interact with them. This means doing a lot of user research, conducting experiments and working within a broader product design team. UX design is actually as much a science as it is an art form.
Pros
- Cutting edge technologies
- Future-proof skills
- High-level problem solving
Cons
- Tasks can take a long time
- May lack variety (some companies)
- More technical
Current job listings
UI Designer
UI designers are responsible for the look and feel of a digital product, such as a website or app. They create the visual elements that users interact with, such as buttons, icons, and menus. UI design is a highly creative field, but designers do need to have a good understanding of user experience (UX) principles as well. Because the job of a UI designer is almost purely aesthetic, we’ve given it top points for creativity. The only real creative limitations to UI design are the taste of the client (or product owner) and conforming to brand guidelines.
Pros
- Cutting edge technologies
- Future-proof skills
- Variety of tools and mediums
- Continuous learning opportunities
Cons
- Tight deadlines (agency jobs)
- Limited by brand guidelines
Current job listings
Illustrator
Illustrators create artworks by hand or using software programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. They work in a variety of industries, including advertising, book publishing, and web design. Many illustrators specialise in a particular type of illustration, such as editorial illustration, children’s books or medical illustration. While illustrators have a lot of creative freedom in their work, they often need to adhere to specific client briefs, deadlines and formatting criteria. The level of creativity in the illustration field is also highly dependant on the type of project and subject being illustrated. Medical illustrations, for example, have far less room for creative expression than cartoon illustration does.
Pros
- Highly creative and expressive
- Variety of projects and mediums
Cons
- Limited job opportunities
- Can be quite technical
- At risk of AI disruption
Current job listings
Motion Graphics Designer
Motion graphics designers bring static designs to life through animation and video. They work in a variety of industries, including advertising, film, television and web design and the job can be extremely creative at times. It can also be soul-crushing. The level of creativity involved as a motion graphics designer really comes down to the specific project. Creating the title sequence to the next Bond film is one thing – animating 100 weekly specials for Coles ads is another. Unfortunately, most Motion design jobs involve a fair bit of mindless cookie-cutter After Effects work, which brings down the job creativity score somewhat.
Pros
- Cutting edge technology
- Variety of projects
- Opportunity for creative expression
Cons
- Monotonous tasks at times
- Highly technical (formats, codecs)
- Relatively low paid
Current job listings
Fashion Designer
Fashion designers use their creative talents to design clothing, accessories, and shoes. They often work for fashion houses or retailers, but some also work independently. While fashion designers have a high degree of creative freedom, they also need to be aware of trends and what consumers want to buy. Fashion designers also have to work within the constraints of production, which can limit the creativity of their designs. Long story short, it’s a creative job with limitations.
Pros
- Highly expressive
- Cutting edge of trends
Cons
- Limited by production constraints
- More limited job opportunities
Current job listings
Interior Designer
Interior designers use their creative skills to design functional and aesthetically pleasing indoor spaces. They often work with architects and builders to create cohesive designs that meet the needs of their clients. While interior designers do have a lot of creative freedom, they also need to consider the practicality of their designs, as well as the budget and timeline of a project. Interior design is certainly one of the more creative pursuits on this list, but it is also a job that requires a lot of collaboration and planning.
Pros
- High level of creative expression
- Highly collaborative
- Variety of projects
Cons
- Lots of non-creative planning
- Budget restrictions
- High level of client involvement
Current job listings
Photographer
Photographers capture images that tell a story or convey a feeling. They work in a variety of fields, including advertising, art, journalism, and fashion. Photography is a highly creative field, but photographers also need to be aware of the technical aspects of photography, such as camera operation, lighting and composition. And, of course, they need to be able to take direction from their clients. Good photographers are able to express themselves creatively within a variety of situations. A particular style or signature aesthetic is often why a photographer will be hired in the first place. The specific task of product photography, which can be extremely mundane, is the reason photography didn’t get a better creativity score.
Pros
- High level of creative expression
- Highly collaborative
- Variety of projects
Cons
- Can get monotonous
- Travel required
- Risk of AI disruption
Current job listings
So, if you are looking for a job with a high degree of creativity, try getting into interior design or UI design. Fashion design also offers ample scope for creative expression. At the other end of the scale, jobs in motion graphics, UX design and illustration may not give you the creative freedom you desire. That being said, if you value variety in your role, these fields might be even more satisfying than the purely creative jobs.
Article Illustration by Storyset
Creative Job FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about creative careers:
What are creative careers?
Creative careers are jobs that require imagination, innovation, and artistic abilities. These careers can be found in a variety of industries, including advertising, media, design, music, and more.
What creative jobs pay the best?
Some creative jobs that pay well include:
- Senior Art Director
- Creative Director
- UX Designer
- Video Game Designer
- Industrial Designer
What creative jobs are in demand right now?
Some creative jobs that are in high demand at the moment include:
- User Experience (UX) Designer
- User Interface (UI) Designer
- Content Creator
- Social Media Manager
- Graphic Designer
- Web Developer
How do you create a creative career?
Building a creative career takes time, effort, and talent. Here are some steps you can take:
- Discover your strengths and interests
- Learn about creative industries and job opportunities
- Build an impressive portfolio
- Expand your network and gain experience
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and technologies
What is a unique job?
A unique job is a profession that is not common or mainstream. These jobs are often unconventional and require special skills, creativity, and innovation.
What should I do if I’m creative?
If you’re creative, you can pursue a creative career or find ways to express your creativity through hobbies or side projects. You may also consider taking courses or workshops to improve your skills and learn new techniques.
What jobs make a lot of money but are fun?
Some high-paying and fun jobs include:
- Video Game Designer
- Food Critic
- Fashion Designer
- Theme Park Designer
- Film Director
- Musician
How can I make money with creativity?
You can make money with creativity by:
- Pursuing a creative career
- Selling your artwork or crafts online
- Offering freelance services such as graphic design or writing
- Creating a blog or YouTube channel and monetising your content
How can I make a lot of money as a creative?
To make a lot of money as a creative, you can:
- Build a strong portfolio
- Hone your skills and expertise
- Network and make connections in the industry
- Take on high-paying freelance or contract work
- Start your own business or create intellectual property that can generate passive income.
What kind of jobs require imagination?
Jobs that require imagination include:
- Advertising Copywriter
- Film Director
- Video Game Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Interior Designer
- Photographer
How do I know if I’m a creative person?
You may be a creative person if you:
- Enjoy trying new things and exploring different perspectives
- Think outside the box and come up with unique ideas
- Enjoy making things, whether it be painting, writing, or cooking
- Daydream or have an active imagination
- Enjoy solving complex problems and finding innovative solutions
What is the most profitable career right now?
The most profitable careers right now are in technology, finance, and healthcare. Jobs such as software engineer, data scientist, investment banker, and surgeon are among the highest paying.
How can I be creative in any field?
To be creative in any field, you can:
- Look for opportunities to think outside the box and try new things
- Collaborate with others to get different perspectives and ideas
- Stay curious and keep learning new things
- Experiment and take risks
- Question assumptions and challenge the status quo
How can I work creative at home?
Working creatively at home can be challenging but there are ways you can do it:
- Create a designated workspace that inspires creativity
- Take breaks and engage in activities that recharge your creativity
- Connect with other creatives online through virtual networking events or social media
- Use virtual tools and software to collaborate with others and share your work
- Set aside time each day to work on personal projects or side hustles.
