The job outlook for artists and designers is diverse, even though the Bureau of Labor Services reports that 62% of artists in 2006 were self-employed. Depending on whether you want to freelance, enter a business-oriented industry, or take a job in an art-related field but work for a structured company, your job outlook will vary. There were 218,000 employed artists in 2006, but that number is expected to increase 16% until the year 2016, according to the BLS, but competition for those jobs is still expected to be intense, as there are generally many more artists and designers than there are open jobs. Self-employed artists and designers enjoy varying levels of success and manage businesses in jewelry and crafts, selling their own paintings and pieces, working as an interior designer, a consultant, multimedia designer, website designer, illustrator and a lot more.

The BLS also reports that some of the more popular positions for artists include those working in illustration and the fine arts, multimedia, museums, newspapers and magazines, art direction, publishing, design firms, software publishing and more. The industry that is expected to open up the most new jobs to artists and designers is the computer, software and multimedia industry, as there is an increasingly high demand for graphic designers, software designers, animators, special effects designers, and interactive design. This need for computer-trained artists will also translate into business-oriented industries, like advertising, public relations and marketing, which employ many artists. Another popular career path that is emerging due to advanced computer and multimedia techniques is game design and other 3D design projects in movies, computer imaging and more.

Artists and designers who choose not to be self-employed can find work by researching opportunities at art galleries, TV and movie studios, newspapers and magazines, advertising agencies and in-house advertising departments, computer and digital imaging departments, theaters, architecture firms, interior design and decorating firms, fashion houses and more. The group that is projected to experience the most job growth until 2016 are multimedia artists and animators, who should see a 26% increase in job openings. The next two highest groups are fine artists, who will see a 10% increase, and art directors, who should experience a 9% increase and who earned in 2006 a median salary range of $49,480 and $94,920.

Those who want extra assistance with their own projects may apply for grants from private organizations or government sponsored groups like the National Endowment for the Arts. There are also a number of freelance job boards online, including networks just for artists and networks that cater to niche job markets, like graphic designer boards or CreativeHeads.net, which chiefly advertises jobs in software development, animation, game design, multimedia and web design.

Top Online Programs

A.A. in Information Technology B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communications	University of Phoenix – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – The University of Phoenix prepares students for the rapidly evolving multi-million dollar industry of World Wide Web designing and interactive media. The programs offered at the institute teaches students everything from developing their skills in drawing and design to learning programming and scripting techniques.
B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communication A.A.S. in Information Technology	Kaplan University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Kaplan University offers a web design degree that could be completed in as few as 12 months. This allows students to earn their degree at an accelerated pace and be on their way to advancing in their career in web design.
B.F.A. in Web Design A.A.B.A. in Visual Communications B.F.A. in Digital Design	American InterContinental University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – For those interested in the exciting career of web design, American InterContinental Universitye will help them prepare with their staff of knowledgeable and skilled professionals who have had prior experience working in the web design industry. The program is a great choice for those seeking to pursue a career in web design, web development, graphic design, graphic art, or web publications designer.
A.S. in Web Design B.F.A. in Graphic Design B.A. in Fashion Merchandising	International Academy of Design & Technology – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Since 1977, the International Academy of Design and Technology Online has helped thousands of students prepare for a career in which their creativity and talents are respected and valued. Their affordable courses allow individuals with a passion for web design to advance in their career.
B.S. in Web Design & Multimedia B.S. in Visual Communications A.S. in Graphic Design & Multimedia	Westwood College – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – Westwood College's programs consists of courses in design theory, web design, imaging and advanced web technology to help students build valuable portfolios for potential employers. They offer their programs completely online, allowing flexibility for working individuals or individuals with other time contraints.
A.S. in Web Graphic Design B.C.I.S. in Web Development B.C.I.S. in Web Game Programming	DeVry University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – DeVry University has helped thousands of students apply practical skills to produce high-quality graphics and develop many types of graphic media. They are ideal for many students because of their affordable and convenient programs available online.
B.A. in Visual Communications B.A. in Art History	Ashford University – Bachelor's Degree - Dedicated to helping intellectual, professional, and creative individuals, Ashford University offers one of the best web design degrees online. Their web design courses are very convenient and achieveablefor students who have restricting schedules.
B.S. in Web Design A.S. in Web Design Diploma in Web Design	The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - The Art Institute of Pittsburgh provides students with the opportunity to learn the latest software and programming applications to compete in the highly competitive, yet rewarding, web design industry. They place special emphasis on the practical application of web development skills and how to effectively use them for organizations.