Creators
Artists & Innovators
Make it up as you go.
Design the world with a job as a creator. Apply your creativity to any category. You can design virtual worlds, video games, sneakers, costumes, or cars. Write books, screenplays, recipes, or commercials. Or turn your talents into NFT art. Put your imagination to work to make the world a better place.
As a creator, you can bring your visions to life.
Micah Johnson: From Athlete to Artist
Former professional baseball player Micah Johnson says he "traded in his baseball bat for a paintbrush."
Featured Content
Adam Silvera: Inspired by Stories
Adam Silvera writes novels for young adults. Many of his books have become best-sellers.
Becoming a Sneaker Designer
Sneaker designer Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson works to inspire other women of color to pursue a career in the athletic footwear industry.
What Was Your Path? with Trevor Stuurman
Photographer Trevor Stuurman shares his journey as a visual artist.
Jobs at a Glance
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Author
Author
Creators
Authors and writers develop content for media, such as ads, blogs, books, and magazines, and scripts for movies, plays, and TV shows.
- Median (Middle) Salary:$69,510
- You Should Study:English
- Job Growth Rate by 2030:9%
- This Job Is:
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DJ
DJ
Creators
Disc jockeys (DJs) act as masters of ceremonies (emcees) or play recorded music at weddings, parties, concerts, and other events.
- Median (Middle) Salary:$45,810
- You Should Study:Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs
- Job Growth Rate by 2030:15%
- This Job Is:
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Film and Video Editor
Film and Video Editor
Creators
Film and video editors manipulate moving images. They arrange footage shot by camera operators and collaborate with producers and directors.
- Median (Middle) Salary:$60,360
- You Should Study:Art, Design, Computer Science
- Job Growth Rate by 2030:29%
- This Job Is:
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Graphic Designer
Graphic Designer
Creators
Graphic designers create art using a computer or by hand. Their goal is to communicate ideas and get people's attention. They design ads, books, magazines, reports, and other things.
- Median (Middle) Salary:$50,710
- You Should Study:Art, Graphic Design, Computer Science
- Job Growth Rate by 2030:3%
- This Job Is:
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Producer and Director
Producer and Director
Creators
Producers and directors make business and creative decisions about film, television, stage, and other productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain, inform, or instruct an audience.
- Median (Middle) Salary:$79,000
- You Should Study:Film, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs
- Job Growth Rate by 2030:24%
- This Job Is:
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Singer and Musician
Singer and Musician
Creators
Musicians and singers play instruments or sing for live audiences and in recording studios.
- Median (Middle) Salary:$63,419
- You Should Study:Music
- Job Growth Rate by 2030:11%
- This Job Is:
Related Content
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Drawing Up Creativity
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Into the Kitchen
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Counter Culture
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Real Talk with Dr. Maya
“It’s very much a passion. But it’s also a desire for knowledge. The quest for knowledge about food is so incredibly intriguing that I could research the ins and outs of ice cream all day.”
Gary Yin: Creating Cuisine
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Healthy Appetite
“It’s a great feeling to know my work is helping people live healthier lives,” Ellie Krieger says. “I am making a difference in the world.”
Adam Silvera: Inspired by Stories
Adam Silvera writes novels for young adults. Many of his books have become best-sellers.
Fusing the Future
Welder Drew Mascotti is putting his skills to good use. He’s helping create huge monopiles that will allow wind turbines to harness clean energy.
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Best-selling author Celeste Ng goes through her writing process and what tips and tricks have worked for her.
Amy Sherald: Painting History
Amy Sherald is an artist. She is the first Black woman to paint an official First Lady portrait.
Young Jean Lee: Playing Her Part
Young Jean Lee is a playwright. She is the first Asian-American woman to write a play produced on Broadway.
Check It Out: Art Books, Movies, and Podcasts
If you’re interested in a creative career, this list of things to read, watch, and listen to should give you some ideas.
Selena Gomez: Influencing the World
Selena Gomez is a singer, songwriter, and actor. She was the first person to reach 100 million followers on Instagram.
5 Questions for a Game Developer
Your 🔥 Job asked video-game developer and entrepreneur Mitu Khandaker five questions about her cool career.
Becoming a Sneaker Designer
Sneaker designer Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson works to inspire other women of color to pursue a career in the athletic footwear industry.
Michelle Phan: Building a Business
Michelle Phan is a beauty YouTuber. She was the first woman to build a $500 million company from a web series.
Micah Johnson: From Athlete to Artist
Former professional baseball player Micah Johnson says he "traded in his baseball bat for a paintbrush."
My Chat with Kwame Mbalia
Middle-grade author Kwame Mbalia speaks to TIME Kid of the Year and TFK Kid Reporter Orion Jean.
Algorithm Artists
Robots and cutting-edge tech are helping artists come up with new ideas and produce surprising artworks.
Jon Batiste: Growing Up with Music
Musician, actor, producer, and composer Jon Batiste shares how music was present during his childhood.
Storytime
Award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Grace Lin creates books inspired by her life and family.
Insects Up Close
Artists don’t just create beautiful work. Some lend their voices to important causes, like conservation.
View from Above
Freelance drone operator Nikolai Zychowicz takes photos and makes videos that are used on social media, in commercials, and in movies.
When Did You Know? with Akwaeke Emezi
Author Akwaeke Emezi talks about how they knew that they wanted to be a writer.
What Inspired You? with Mindy Kaling
Actor and writer Mindy Kaling discusses why she started her own production company.
Sian-Pierre Regis, Storyteller
Sian-Pierre Regis’s job is sharing other people’s stories with the world. In this video, he has the chance to share his own.
What Was Your Path? with Trevor Stuurman
Photographer Trevor Stuurman shares his journey as a visual artist.
Impossible Music
Many musicians are excited about the endless possibilities of combining music and artificial intelligence, or AI.
Real Talk with Jason Reynolds
“When I was a kid, there was no such thing as an author visit. I never knew that I could grow up to be an author.”
A Way with Words
“Write a poem that is worthy of a new chapter in the country. Write something that is brave enough to be hopeful.”
Work Week: Podcast Producer
Christie Taylor, a producer for the radio show and podcast Science Friday, shares how she takes a story from idea to air.
Get in the Game
Andy Agostini and Clint Oldenburg, of EA Sports, manage teams of video-game programmers, designers, and artists.
Off the Charts
Thanks to streaming and social media, musicians are finding fans without support from the music industry.
José Andrés, Space Chef
“I love science fiction, and I always had dreams of what it would be like cooking for a faraway planet.”
Fashion Forward
Many say the fashion industry has been slow to make accessible clothing. Some people are working to change that.
A Closer Look
Some stories are told without words. Photojournalists are reporters who use a camera to capture a story in photographs.
Sharing Stories
Writers contribute to all sorts of engaging projects, from the video games we play to the songs we listen to.
Lightning Strikes
Playwright Joe Tracz adapted Rick Riordan’s best-selling children’s book The Lightning Thief for Broadway.
In the Spotlight
Award-winning costume designer Catherine Zuber gives careful attention to every outfit in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Sketching in Court
Courtroom sketch artists balance accuracy and speed. They witness historic moments and dramatic testimonials.
NFT Artists on the Rise
Artists of all kinds—authors, musicians, filmmakers—are embracing the NFT, or non-fungible token, craze.
