Imagining a Career in Creative & Media Arts

With so many career options available, how do you decide where to begin? Whether you're choosing what to study, planning your future career, or simply curious about different real-life jobs, our blog series categorises careers into types (or clusters) to help you easily discover various roles within a broad field.  

Here, we explore Creative & Media Arts, covering: 

• Introduction to Creative & Media Arts 

• Five fast facts 

• The key industries 

• Salaries and skillsets 

• A work experience case study 

• Our top tips for making it 

  
  

Creative & Media Arts intro

The Creative & Media Arts sector is a vast and diverse field that covers professions at the intersection of creativity, culture, and communication. It encompasses roles that focus on producing, distributing, and promoting art, design, and entertainment. People working in this sector often bring their creative ideas to life, whether it's through visual arts, performing arts, media, or digital innovations. The sector is a significant contributor to the UK economy, with an increasing number of young people seeking careers in areas like digital media, gaming, and film. 

This industry attracts those passionate about artistic expression, storytelling, and technological innovation. It's a space where imagination meets technical skills to create products that entertain, inform, and inspire. As the world becomes more digitally connected, the sector continues to grow, offering new opportunities across various platforms. 

Five fast facts about this career type

1. High Growth Sector: In 2023, the creative industries employed 2.4 million people, 28% of whom were self-employed. 

   
   

2. Diverse Opportunities: Roles range from hands-on positions like actor or designer to behind-the-scenes jobs in production, marketing, and digital content. 

   
   

3. Digital Integration: There's an increasing overlap with the IT sector, especially in roles like animator, game designer, and web designer. 

   
   

4. Freelance Friendly: Many professionals in this field work as freelancers or run their own businesses, offering flexibility and creative control. 

   
   

5. Skills Demand: There's a strong need for both creative and technical skills, particularly in areas like animation, UX design, and digital marketing. 

Industries you can expect to find

The Creative & Media Arts sector spans various industries, including: 

• Advertising and Marketing: Developing campaigns, branding, and digital content. 

• Architecture and Design: Creating functional and aesthetic spaces and products. 

• Film, TV, and Radio: Producing and broadcasting visual and audio content. 

• Music and Performing Arts: Composing, performing, and producing music and live performances. 

• Publishing and Journalism: Writing, editing, and distributing written content. 

• Digital Media and Technology: Developing games, apps, and immersive experiences. 

You can learn more by watching videos from professionals here: https://icould.com/explore/categories/subject/art-and-design/ 

How much could I get paid?

Salaries in the Creative & Media Arts sector vary depending on the role, experience, and location. Overall, the median annual gross pay in the creative industries was £39,366 in 2023, which is higher than the UK average of £29,669.  

• Filmmaker: Average salary of £35,627 per year . 

• Senior Game Designer: Average salary of £44,490 per year . 

• Creative Director: Average salary of £66,323 per year . 

• Art Director: Average salary of £50,000 to £75,000 per year . 

• Product Design Lead: Average salary of £53,159 per year  

Depending on age and experience, these figures may change but should give you some indication of average salaries over the years.  

You can explore more here: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers/job-sector/creative-and-design  

Would a career in Creative & Media Arts be a good fit for me? 

To thrive in the Creative & Media Arts sector, you'll need a combination of creative, technical, and employability skills. Here are some key skills that can help you succeed: 

Creative Skills 

• Imagination and Originality: The ability to come up with fresh ideas and think outside the box is essential. Whether you're designing a new product, writing a script, or composing music, creativity is at the heart of the industry. 

• Artistic Talent: Many roles, such as in design, music, and performance, require strong artistic ability, whether it's visual, auditory, or through performance. 

  
  

Technical Skills 

• Digital Literacy: As the industry increasingly relies on digital tools, knowledge of software like Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, or design and coding platforms is highly valuable. Skills in digital editing, web development, or animation are especially important. 

• Project Management: Many projects involve tight deadlines and require careful planning. Being able to manage multiple tasks and stay organised is key to delivering high-quality work on time. 

  
  

Communication Skills 

• Collaboration: Working well with others, whether in a creative team, with clients, or across departments, is vital. Creative projects often require input from many different people, so strong teamwork and communication are essential. 

• Storytelling: Whether you're creating a commercial, writing an article, or designing a game, being able to tell a compelling story is a powerful skill in this sector. Understanding how to engage an audience with narrative and visual elements can set you apart. 

  
  

Adaptability and Flexibility 

• The creative industry is constantly evolving, with new trends, tools, and platforms emerging regularly. Being adaptable and willing to learn new skills is important for staying relevant in this fast-paced environment. 

  
  

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking 

• The ability to approach challenges creatively, come up with innovative solutions, and refine your work until it reaches its full potential is crucial. Whether solving technical issues or overcoming creative roadblocks, problem-solving is a key skill in this sector. 

  
  

You can learn more about the sector here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/creative-arts-and-design/overview-of-the-uks-creative-arts-sector  

Explore careers based on subjects you enjoy: https://careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subjects and https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/groups/cpw27rkvq6pt 

Discover professional qualifications related to some popular careers: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/professional-qualifications 

Creative & Media Arts work experience case study

Getting young talents Into Film with remote work experience 

The UK’s leading charity for film in education, Into Film, worked in close partnership with Futures For All to provide a 3-day remote placement for 48 young people from across the country – where they discovered the depth of employment possibilities in screen careers. As part of the placement, the students applied some of their learning by writing their own film review. 

“I really enjoyed hearing how they made it into the industry and all their advice and tips. It really opened my mind and helped me think about my next steps! I also loved the friendly environment which made me want to log on every morning and look forward to the day!” 

Student, 16 

UK-wide attendance from areas such as Belfast, Manchester, Bedford and London.

97% said that post-placement, they now have a better understanding of what skills and qualities employers are looking for.

93% of students gave their placement a 4 or 5-star rating out of 5.

Our top tips on turning your passion into a career

1. Think broadly. Focus on career types rather than specific jobs; there might be a role within a sector that you weren’t aware of and could find appealing.  

   
   

2. Consider which topics interest you – what do you enjoy discussing with your friends?

3. Make a list of subjects you like and those you excel at, even if you don’t currently enjoy them.  

   
   

4. Try out different careers by gaining work experience in jobs you are passionate about and those you aren’t; the results may surprise you. Either way, you’ll add valuable experience to your CV.  

   
   

5. Build a Strong Portfolio or CV – Whether you're into art, coding, writing, or any other field, having a portfolio or a strong resume to showcase your work is key. A great portfolio or resume will set you apart from others and help you land your first job or internship. 

   
   

6. Network and Connect with People – Building relationships is huge in any field. Don’t just wait for opportunities to find you; actively seek them out! Attend school or community events, participate in work experience, and follow people in the industry you’re interested in.  

   
   

7. Keep Learning and Stay Curious – The world is always changing, and new things are happening all the time. So, make sure you’re always learning and improving your skills. Whether it’s through online libraries, books and articles, watching tutorials or mentoring with professionals, you keep your knowledge and skills sharp. Being ahead of the curve will make you stand out.  

What to do next

Check out Discover! Creative Careers Month 2025 and our Work Experience Finder to see the latest opportunities.

Interested in mentoring?  https://brightside.org.uk/  

Need access to a library of resources about different sectors? https://www.futuresforall.org/talks-library  

Find out more about apprenticeships: https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice 

University pathways: https://www.ucas.com/discover  

Stay up to date with Creative industry trends: https://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/  

This blog is a guide, and careers are constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed, and the GOV.UK website for more on T-levels. For careers advice in all parts of the UK, visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).