We’re all familiar with the artist stereotype: a poor, depressed, misunderstood, only-recognized-after-death sort of individual. And perhaps part of it is true — or was, way back when — but now, in this increasingly progressive era, those who pursue art can accomplish so much more. It’s true that becoming a successful artist can be challenging; not just anyone can seize the right opportunities and create pieces that are original and expressive. But even so, there are still many occupations that revolve around art and can lead to a lucrative career.

1. Illustration
Remember all those colorful picture books you loved when you were little? You have illustrators to thank for them — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Illustrators also design publications, cards, and work in many other mediums. Specialized subfields such as scientific/medical illustration, for one, can be used in fields such as biology, where artists create drawings and diagrams of anatomy, surgical procedures, or scientific structures. In addition, they can make exhibits for lawyers in court (diagrams, models, and such).

2. Industrial Design
You see this every day in the sleek design of your phones, computers, cars and so on. This occupation allows the designer free reign of creativity within practical parameters, and often requires knowledge and integration of science. If you’re interested in merging art and technology, this field might be the perfect fit.

3. Multi Media Art/ Animation
Fantasy, sci-fi, action: all these movie genres require some sort of animation or graphic editing. If you enjoy watching movies, creating special effects, and have always wondered what goes on behind the scenes, consider studying animation. This occupation requires an artist to work both by hand and with the help of technology, for movies, video games, commercials, and TV programs.

4. Art Therapy
Love art and always ready lend to a hand? Art therapy might be the job for you — a profession that involves guiding people through a healing process from trauma, illness, or any other disturbed mental state through the expression of art. Not only do they provide help, but they also conduct research on art’s effect on one’s wellbeing. This occupation typically requires knowledge of psychology and human development and the ability to work with a variety of people.

5. Advertising
If you’re the kind of person who wants to persuade other people through art, then advertising might be exactly what you’re looking for. The advertising field encompasses a broad range of occupations such as creative directors, graphic artists, media planners, and art directors. These jobs require people to attract consumers through art and employees must be willing to collaborate and design with others. Some artists may also be involved in the creation of storyboards that allow advertising agencies or companies to assess the production of a commercial that they are undertaking.

The careers listed above are not all that are promising; in fact, there are still countless more possibilities out there that combine various other fields. So if you’re passionate about art, don’t be afraid to follow your interest; it may lead you to something you have never before thought possible.

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2015 issue of UNIT-E. It was written by Sophia Zheng, a student at the International School of Beijing.

About UNIT-E
UNIT-E was founded in the spring of 2010 with the aim of establishing a non-profit, student-run magazine for international students in Beijing. Staffed by current students from a range of international schools, the magazine provides an amalgam of cultural tidbits, fragments of Beijing student life, and a broad spectrum of unique perspectives from a diverse group of young adults.

Photo: cdsessums (flickr)

Books help us escape our mundane everyday lives and enter a new world of imagination and creation, helping us to extend our knowledge and exposing us to fresh ideas. Every New Year brings us new books to look out for, so without further adieu here are 2015’s most anticipated young adult novels.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
In a world separated by blood color, the Reds are poverty-stricken commoners, and the ruling Silvers possess powerful abilities. When Mare Barrow, a Red from The Stilts, discovers that she too has powers despite her designated social status, she becomes a threat to the mighty Silvers’ control.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Travelers have the rare ability to traverse parallel universes, and Kell—capable of moving between Grey London, White London, and Red London— is one of the last few remaining. Kell is the ambassador of Red London, but he also has a dangerous hobby: giving people glimpses into worlds they will never set foot in.

Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes
Max Cantrell and his friends Preston and Parvati begin a lying business, dubbed “Liars, Inc.” They forge permission slips, create cover stories, and receive an abundance of customers from the student body of Vista Palisades High. One day, Preston wants a cover story to impress a girl he met online. All is well until Preston goes missing, his corpse is found, and all evidence points to Max. Will Max be able to uncover the true killer and undo his lies?

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
When huntress Feyre kills Tamlin, a powerful faerie that hides in the body of a wolf, she is spirited away into the dangerous magical lands known only in legends. As her initial distaste for him transforms into passion, she discovers a darkness emerging within the faerie lands. Feyre must either choose to destroy it or leave the lands – and Tamlin – to impending doom.

Fairest by Marissa Meyer
As the evil Queen in the Lunar Chronicles, Lavana is depicted as manipulative and cruel in her quest to gain power. In this new bridge book between Cress and Winter, her mysterious past is revealed: a past that shows a whole new side of her.

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
Wilhelmina was a member of royalty, but when the Indigo Kingdom conquers her land, she is taken into hiding and trained by experts in stealth and theft.Meanwhile, Wraith—a toxic byproduct of magical mishaps— is slowly destroying her land and Wilhelmina’s magic may be the key to stopping it.

My Heart and Other Black Holesby Jasmine Warga
A website known as Suicide Partners provides assistance for those afraid to commit suicide alone. Aysel, is a misfit physics nerd obsessed with plotting her own death, and Roman, a boy haunted by a family tragedy, find each other on online and create an unshakable suicide pact. All seems to be going according to plan until Aysel begins to question whether or not she actually wants to take her own life.
 

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
The Martial Empire is a Rome-like world where Laia, a scholar, goes undercover as a slave in the world’s greatest military academy to receive assistance from a rebel force that will save her brother from execution. Meanwhile Elias, one of the top soldiers in the academy and a reluctant participant, is chosen to partake in a contest that will decide who will become the next Martial emperor. When their paths cross, they discover that their decisions could change the future of the empire.

Blood and Salt by Kim Ligget
When a mother decides to return to the spiritual commune she had escaped, her daughter Ash Larkin decides to follow her to a place haunted by unrequited love, murder, alchemy and immortality. As she delves deeper into the darkness of the village, Ash is tormented by the memories of her ancestor. 

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
Competing rival corporations are at war over a small, ice-covered planet in the year 2575 when, without any warning, the inhabitants of the planet are enveloped in sudden chaos beset by a mutating plague and fleets of attacking artificial intelligence. Former lovers Kady and Ezraare forced to evacuate, but must come together to decipher mysterious hacked data in order to find the truth behind the conflict.

 This article originally appeared in the February 2015 issue of UNIT-E. It was written by Sophia Zheng, a student at the International School of Beijing.

About UNIT-E
UNIT-E was founded in the spring of 2010 with the aim of establishing a non-profit, student-run magazine for international students in Beijing. Staffed by current students from a range of international schools, the magazine provides an amalgam of cultural tidbits, fragments of Beijing student life, and a broad spectrum of unique perspectives from a diverse group of young adults.