If you have powerful manual dexterity and strong artistic ability, then consider becoming a calligrapher.
In this career, you will work with a variety of employers who require your services.
Before jumping in headfirst, knowing more about the opportunities that the field presents are necessary.
Keep reading to learn more about the various paths a calligrapher can take!
1. Graphic Designer
Why Become a Graphic Designer?
Graphic designers develop visual concepts to showcase ideas that inform and inspire customers.
Most utilize computer software but can draw well.
This is where a calligrapher would come in.
Any font, lettering, or phrase design means a calligrapher would do well in a graphic design role.
Having these skills allows graphic designers to make $56,000 per year, which is around the median household income, and a 4% job growth.
One of the greatest benefits of becoming a graphic designer is your employment is not tied to a single industry.
Companies of all sizes and across all industries need to promote their products and brands, which means they need brand guidelines, logos, and numerous other critical visual materials for support.
Another benefit is you can choose to be self-employed as a graphic designer.
This means you have the freedom to work from a local coffee shop, in your home, or anywhere else with an internet connection and set your hours and prices.
Self-expression is an additional appealing benefit for those looking to enter this field.
Finally, as a graphic designer, you are always collaborating with clients and like-minded individuals as you work through the design process.
| Graphic Designer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $59,970 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.83 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 4% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Graphic Designer
2. Illustrator
Why Become an Illustrator?
Calligraphers and illustrators often work together to develop a variety of branding materials, posters, commercials, illustrations, and other design types.
As a calligrapher, your drawing skills will take you far within the illustrator community.
With an average annual income of $63,000, illustrators can make a great living, especially as they build their portfolios.
However, the job outlook is only 1%, but there is always a need for creative individuals across a variety of industries.
For this reason, many seek jobs as illustrators because of the client base.
If a business is conducting some form of marketing, then they need a designer to create those marketing materials.
Another positive of becoming an illustrator is you can run a studio or office that can become a large freelance agency or operation.
For those who are not ready for this step, you can gain incredible experience by working for a large firm, the opportunities are endless.
Best of all, entering the illustration field is easy to get into with a little skill and hard work.
Having a background in calligrapher allows you to highlight your portfolio and creativity.
| Illustrator Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $69,010 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.18 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 1% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Illustrator
3. Web Designer
Why Become a Web Designer?
Through your creativity, calligraphers can add a powerful new dimension to web design that emphasizes inventiveness, style, and elegance.
Web designers help companies of all sizes and in all industries design and refresh websites to connect with modern consumers.
As a web designer, you enjoy the benefit of not always being confined to an office.
Also, the average pay of a web designer is an exceptional $82,000 per year with a 13% job outlook.
Furthermore, web designers receive immediate feedback on their sites based on the levels of visitor interaction.
| Web Designer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $69,010 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.18 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 13% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Web Designer
4. Cartoon Artist
Why Become a Cartoon Artist?
A cartoon artist is a professional who draws characters and cartoons for animation, creates advertisements, illustrates comics, or books, or develops political cartoons for magazines or newspapers.
Your responsibilities as a cartoon artist range from sketching ideas for approval within a hierarchal position to collaborating with an editor at a magazine or newspaper or developing your own cartoons and stories.
As a calligrapher, you will fit in well with any field that requires drawing.
Calligraphers pride themselves on the curvature and font of letters and words, which translates well to becoming a cartoon artist.
One of the greatest benefits of entering this field is you will enjoy a solid salary of around $63,000 per year and 14% future job growth.
Also, you will benefit from a professional that allows for self-expression.
This could be in the form of a major political view or creating a cartoon strip.
Also, you benefit from the freedom of freelancing for multiple clients, which allows you to choose the projects you wish.
Furthermore, many cartoon artists have the option of merchandising with a wide range of companies from t-shirts to greeting cards, and even selling their designs.
Finally, cartoon artists are paid to be creative and do something they love.
| Cartoon Artist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $69,010 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.18 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Cartoon Artist
5. Animator
Why Become an Animator (Digital/3D)?
Animators are artists within the technology field who develop a complicated series of images for video games, commercials, and movies.
With more platforms shifting to animation, the demand for animators has a 4% outlook.
Animators are responsible for creating a series of characters with a range of motions, collaborating without animators to produce images for visual effects, games, and movies, and developing original visual content.
An animator also researches and remains updated on current trends, collaborates with clients, and consults on the suitability of concepts for a project.
Calligraphers are needed in the animation field for any text that goes into animation.
The creative mindset of a calligrapher can have a high impact on the quality of animations.
As a calligrapher, many benefits exist to entering the animation field.
First, the average annual salary of an animator is just under $85,000.
Second, animation offers numerous work projects, which help you learn new skills and refine the existing along the way.
Third, you have creative freedom when working on your own projects.
Finally, the global animation industry is widespread and vast, with an estimated worth of around $260 billion.
| Animator Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $86,220 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $41.45 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 4% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Animator (Digital/3D)
6. Video Game Designer
Why Become a Video Game Designer?
Video game designers create and design various aspects of video games including developing characters, designing the game’s plot, setting the mechanics players use to interact in the game world, assisting in project development, and overseeing story elements.
As part of the design, calligraphers can contribute to digital ornamental writing including fonts, colors, sizes, etc.
One of the best benefits to calligraphers wanting to enter video game design is they get to follow their passion.
Another positive aspect of considering this field is your work produces tangible results that millions can enjoy.
Finally, there are numerous routes of entry, ranging from multi-million dollar games to small, independent games created by single developers.
| Video Game Designer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $86,220 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $41.45 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 4% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Video Game Designer
