Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Designers, artisans and patternmakers in this occupational group employ a variety of materials and techniques to create garments, dramatic sets and costumes, interior designs, jewellery, rugs, stained glass, pottery and other creative items and handicrafts. They are employed by graphic design, advertising, architectural and interior design firms, for retail organizations and for performing arts, broadcasting, clothing and textile companies, museums, private studios and other organizations. They may also be self-employed.

Nature of Work

Designers, artisans and patternmakers in this occupational group employ a variety of materials and techniques to create garments, dramatic sets and costumes, interior designs, jewellery, rugs, stained glass, pottery and other creative items and handicrafts. They are employed by graphic design, advertising, architectural and interior design firms, for retail organizations and for performing arts, broadcasting, clothing and textile companies, museums, private studios and other organizations. They may also be self-employed.

Duties

Interior designers conceptualize and produce aesthetic and functional designs for interior spaces in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. They are employed by architectural firms, interior design firms, retail establishments, construction companies and other establishments, or they may be self-employed. Their regular work duties include consulting with clients to determine needs, preferences and purpose of space; developing detailed plans and models showing arrangement of walls, dividers, displays, lighting and other fixtures; and estimating costs and materials required. Interior designers are also responsible for developing decorating plans and advising on selection of colour schemes, floor and wall coverings, furniture and other items. Some interior designers also prepare specifications for final interior designs and direct site work crews.

Theatre designers design sets, costumes and lighting for theatre, film and video productions, operas and ballets. They may specialize in costume, lighting or set design and are employed by performing arts and broadcasting companies.

Fashion designers design and create clothing and accessories for men, women and children. They may specialize in men's or women's apparel or in different lines, such as sportswear, footwear or formal wear. Fashion designers are employed by clothing and textiles companies.

Exhibit designers plan and develop exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, retail spaces and for other purposes. They are employed by museums and retail establishments.

Artisans and craftspersons use manual and artistic skills to make a wide variety of handicrafts. Their duties are as follows:

Carvers use hand tools and woodworking machines to produce carvings from wood, stone and other materials and to carve ornamental designs into wooden furniture and other objects.

Glass blowers design and create glass objects using blowpipes and artisan's hand tools and equipment.

Metal arts workers design jewellery, utensils, implements, wall hangings and other objects and crafts from gold, silver, copper, pewter and other metals.

Potters design and create ornamental and functional earthenware pieces by shaping clay using moulds and a

potter's wheel. They also glaze objects and bake pieces in a kiln.

Stained glass artists cut, paint, fire and assemble pieces of stained glass to create designs for windows, lampshades and other objects.

Stringed instrument makers construct stringed instruments using hand and power tools and applying knowledge of wood properties and instrument design.

Weavers use hands or loom to interlace strips of wool, cotton, silk, grasses, bark, rawhide and other flexible material to make baskets, wreaths, wall hangings, clothing, rugs, blankets and other objects.

Craft instructors prepare craftmaking lessons, gather required working materials, and demonstrate and teach craftmaking techniques.

Example Titles

Industrial designers:

• interior designer
• interior design technician
• office space planner
• building space planner
• kitchen designer
• project manager, interior design
• retail space planner

Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers:

• window display designer
• lighting designer
• set designer
• fur designer
• shoe designer
• clothing designer
• fashion designer
• jewellery designer
• fabric designer
• costume designer
• toy designer
• museum exhibit designer
• trophy designer
• couturier

Artisans and craftspersons:

• carver
• craftsperson
• artisan
• metal arts worker
• stained glass artist
• potter
• glass blower
• stringed instrument maker
• silversmith
• craft instructor
• totem pole carver
• leather worker
• weaver

Patternmakers-textile, leather and fur products:

• textile products patternmaker
• leather products patternmaker
• embroidery patternmaker
• shoe patternmaker
• dress patternmaker
• fur garments patternmaker

Training Paths

Professional and para-professional interior design programs are not offered in Saskatchewan. However, drawing and design programs are available at various levels throughout the province. All Saskatchewan universities offer Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs in this field. Specifically, University of Saskatchewan offers degree programs in Studio Art and University of Regina offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Visual Arts, Theatre, or Music Theatre. First Nations University of Canada offers a program in Indian Fine Art.. SIAST offers Graphic Arts Production and Drafting Technician certificate and diploma programs. Private vocational schools offer programs in Graphic Design, Classical Animation, Computer Animation, and Visual Communication.

There are no post-secondary programs in Saskatchewan in Interior Design. However, Lakeland Regional College in Lloydminster offers a diploma program in this field. Some in these fields apprentice outside Saskatchewan under a master craftsperson. Training for patternmakers in textile, leather or fur products is generally provided on the job. Individuals interested in receiving post-secondary training can take Fashion Design at private vocational schools. A private vocational school in Saskatchewan offers a program with training in Acoustic Guitar Construction.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: fair

After dropping significantly during the late nineties, the number of creative designers and craftspersons in Saskatchewan rebounded between 2000 and 2005; by 30%, according to Statistics Canada. Most of this growth was for graphic designers and illustrators and for artisans and craftpersons--the two largest occupation covered here. Employment numbers are low for each of the other occupations in this group. This is noteworthy, as large occupations typically offer job seekers more employment opportunities than smaller occupations.

It is also worth noting that this is a fairly young work force. Nearly 60% of all creative designers and craftspersons in the province were younger than 45 in 2006. Among those who work for an employer (as opposed to workers who are self-employed), this may translate into very few job openings in the next few years due to retirement or other turnover. As in most occupations, self-employment in this group is a different story. While self-employed designers and craftspersons may be in competition for business, the loss of one worker does not necessarily create the need for a replacement. Conversely, many designers and craftsperson are able to create a market through their work that might not exist otherwise.

This helps explain the wide range of incomes found among creative designers. Some creative designers and craftsperson--particularly those who are self-employed--who produce work that has mass appeal can earn considerable sums. This is the exception, however. On average, creative designers and craftspersons are not highly paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income for creative designers and craftspersons was $30,700 per year. This is well below the provincial full-time average for all occupations the same year ($42,300 per year).

Many in this group earn more or less than the average income. Full-time artisans and craftspersons, the lowest paid workers in this group, earned an average of $20,500 in 2005. On average, self-employed artisans and craftspersons earned considerably less than this. Creative designers and craftspersons in Regina and Saskatoon generally earn more than their counterparts elsewhere in the province.

Just under 60% of all creative designers and craftspersons in Saskatchewan were female in 2005. The same year, employment for these occupations was concentrated in Saskatchewan's two largest cities; 30% of all creative designers and craftspersons in the province worked in or around Saskatoon. An additional 32% worked in or around Regina.

There is a high incidence of part-time employment in this occupational group. Just under 45% of all creative designers and craftspersons in the province worked on a part-time basis in 2005. Self-employment is common in these fields of work, particularly for interior designers and artisans and craftspersons. Employment is typically not seasonal but is very sensitive to overall economic conditions.

The use of computers is far from universal in this occupational group. However, many creative designers and craftspersons now use computers to present concepts to clients. Computers are also widely used among these professionals to design productions and to manage projects. Workers who are experienced with design software and other new technologies may have an advantage over others seeking work in these fields.

Professional Associations

Interior Designers Association of Saskatchewan:

IDAS administers the interior Designers Act of Saskatchewan. To use the title of Interior Designer, one must be registered with the Association. Registration requirements are: a degree or diploma from an accredited institution, seven years of practice, and the successful completion of the professional examination of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

Address:

Georgina Barlas

105 Langley Street

Regina, SK

S4S 3V7

Telephone:(306) 775-6135 (work)

Fax:(306) 359-7333

Related Occupations

Interior designers:

• Graphic Designers and Illustrating Artists (5241)
• Industrial Designers (2252)
• Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers (5243)
• Interior decorators (in 6421 Retail Salespersons and Sales Clerks)

Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers:

• Graphic Designers and Illustrating Artists (5241)
• Industrial Designers (2252)
• Interior Designers (5242)
• Patternmakers - Textile, Leather and Fur Products (5245)
• Diorama maker - museums and galleries (in 5212 Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Galleries)

Artisans and craftspersons:

• Jewellers, Watch Repairers and Related Occupations (7344)
• Painters, Sculptors and Other Visual Artists (5136)
• Fabric-making occupations in manufacturing (in 9442 Weavers, Knitters and Other Fabric-making
• Occupations)

Patternmakers-textile, leather and fur products:

• Supervisors, Fabric, Fur and Leather Products Manufacturing (9225)