The Arts

Interest Area

Find your inspiration.
Follow your passion.
Discover your voice.
Make your mark.

Communicate, create, or perform in the School of the Arts. Earn a degree or certificate, engage in creative opportunities, and surround yourself with other creative minds and industry professionals. Develop your communication and teamwork skills while you discover your creative side.

Students with degrees in the arts work as creators, educators, and performers across the country and around the world. Become a part of the creative and exciting arts, media and entertainment industries.

Programs of Study

Fast Track Career Path

Art

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA
AS
COA
COP
AS

Communication Studies

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Dance

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA
COA
COP

Live Entertainment Management

Live Entertainment Technology

CSU Transfer
AA
COP
COA

Music

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA
COP

Theater Arts

CSU Transfer
AA

Explore Careers

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Median Salary

$75,337

Job Growth

-9%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Some College
15%

Associate's Degree
12%

Bachelor's Degree
68%

View Career

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

New workers start around $48,112. Normal pay is $75,337 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $145,000.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Some College
15%

Associate's Degree
12%

Bachelor's Degree
68%

Core Tasks

Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements.
Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.
Develop manufacturing procedures and monitor the manufacture of their designs in a factory to improve operations and product quality.
Investigate product characteristics such as the product's safety and handling qualities, its market appeal, how efficiently it can be produced, and ways of distributing, using, and maintaining it.
Participate in new product planning or market research, including studying the potential need for new products.
Read publications, attend showings, and study competing products and design styles and motifs to obtain perspective and generate design concepts.
Fabricate models or samples in paper, wood, glass, fabric, plastic, metal, or other materials, using hand or power tools.

Median Salary

$75,337

Job Growth

-9%

Fashion Designers

Median Salary

$82,560

Job Growth

-5%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
5%

Certificate
1%

Some College
25%

Associate's Degree
36%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Master's Degree
9%

View Career

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

New workers start around $35,537. Normal pay is $82,560 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $166,420.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
5%

Certificate
1%

Some College
25%

Associate's Degree
36%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Master's Degree
9%

Core Tasks

Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
Adapt other designers' ideas for the mass market.
Purchase new or used clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs.
Visit textile showrooms to keep up-to-date on the latest fabrics.
Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs.

Median Salary

$82,560

Job Growth

-5%

Graphic Designers

Median Salary

$56,864

Job Growth

+3%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
8%

Some College
8%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
62%

Master's Degree
4%

View Career

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

New workers start around $27,037. Normal pay is $56,864 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $123,098.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
8%

Some College
8%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
62%

Master's Degree
4%

Core Tasks

Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
Use computer software to generate new images.
Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
Research new software or design concepts.
Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.

Median Salary

$56,864

Job Growth

+3%

Set and Exhibit Designers

Median Salary

$58,386

Job Growth

+6%

Education

Some College
10%

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
33%

Master's Degree
48%

Doctoral or More
5%

View Career

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

New workers start around $23,910. Normal pay is $58,386 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $145,379.

Education

Some College
10%

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
33%

Master's Degree
48%

Doctoral or More
5%

Core Tasks

Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.
Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.
Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.
Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.
Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.
Observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles.
Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts.
Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.
Design and build scale models of set designs, or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects.
Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them.
Assign staff to complete design ideas and prepare sketches, illustrations, and detailed drawings of sets, or graphics and animation.
Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components.
Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.
Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns.
Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits.
Design and produce displays and materials that can be used to decorate windows, interior displays, or event locations, such as streets and fairgrounds.

Median Salary

$58,386

Job Growth

+6%

Actors

Median Salary

$50,751

Job Growth

-5%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
62%

Certificate
4%

Bachelor's Degree
21%

Master's Degree
14%

View Career

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

New workers start around $26,966. Normal pay is $50,751 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $161,812.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
62%

Certificate
4%

Bachelor's Degree
21%

Master's Degree
14%

Core Tasks

Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other to develop role interpretations.
Attend auditions and casting calls to audition for roles.
Sing or dance during dramatic or comedic performances.
Work with other crew members responsible for lighting, costumes, make-up, and props.
Tell jokes, perform comic dances, songs and skits, impersonate mannerisms and voices of others, contort face, and use other devices to amuse audiences.
Read from scripts or books to narrate action or to inform or entertain audiences, utilizing few or no stage props.
Promote productions using means such as interviews about plays or movies.
Prepare and perform action stunts for motion picture, television, or stage productions.

Median Salary

$50,751

Job Growth

-5%

Producers and Directors

Median Salary

$98,069

Job Growth

+14%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
6%

Certificate
11%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
10%

Bachelor's Degree
53%

Master's Degree
15%

View Career

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

New workers start around $44,797. Normal pay is $98,069 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $261,699.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
6%

Certificate
11%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
10%

Bachelor's Degree
53%

Master's Degree
15%

Core Tasks

Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
Consult with writers, producers, or actors about script changes or "workshop" scripts, through rehearsal with writers and actors to create final drafts.
Identify and approve equipment and elements required for productions, such as scenery, lights, props, costumes, choreography, and music.
Establish pace of programs and sequences of scenes according to time requirements and cast and set accessibility.
Conduct meetings with staff to discuss production progress and to ensure production objectives are attained.
Compile scripts, program notes, and other material related to productions.
Perform administrative duties, such as preparing operational reports, distributing rehearsal call sheets and script copies, and arranging for rehearsal quarters.
Resolve personnel problems that arise during the production process by acting as liaisons between dissenting parties when necessary.

Median Salary

$98,069

Job Growth

+14%

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The Arts

School of the Arts Contact

Programs of Study

Art

Communication Studies

Dance

Live Entertainment Management

Live Entertainment Technology

Music

Theater Arts

Explore Careers

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Fashion Designers

Graphic Designers

Set and Exhibit Designers

Actors

Producers and Directors

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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Find Your Path

Opportunities

Communities

About IVC

Become an IVC Student

Admission Support

Plan Your Classes

Get Ready for College

Guide to Paying for College

Financial Support

Costs & Payments

Supporting You

Counseling & Support Programs

Academic Help

Safety & Wellness

Welcome Lasers

Get Involved

Your Community

Campus

Finish Your Path at IVC

Transfer

Earn Your Degree or Certificate

Transcripts & Records

The Arts

School of the Arts Contact

Programs of Study

Art

Communication Studies

Dance

Live Entertainment Management

Live Entertainment Technology

Music

Theater Arts

Explore Careers

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Fashion Designers

Graphic Designers

Set and Exhibit Designers

Actors

Producers and Directors

Is this Interest Area right for you?

Business Sciences

Humanities

Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation

Kinesiology, Health & Athletics

Languages & Learning Resources

Life Sciences & Technologies

Mathematics & Computer Science

Physical Sciences

Social & Behavioral Sciences

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