As demand for creative roles booms across a variety of industries, The Interaction Design Foundation, the world’s leading online design school, reveals five creative career paths to explore that never existed before.
With the introduction of new products, services, technologies, and ever-evolving trends, a lot can change over a decade - including the emergence of new careers.
In fact, it’s estimated that 85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven't been invented yet!
So, as the widespread adoption of technology is changing the lives of consumers and allowing the creative sector to grow, how are career opportunities evolving?
Mads Soegaard, Founder of The Interaction Design Foundation, comments “The creative job sector is rapidly expanding, making it an exciting time for job seekers.
“From UX Designers to Virtual Reality Developers, these jobs provide opportunities to make a difference and contribute to innovation.
“As technology and trends continue to evolve, we can look forward to more opportunities to explore in the future - with new jobs requiring specialised skill sets, increasing the demand for ‘new-era’ professionals.”
With that in mind, here are five job titles that didn’t even exist before the turn of the century.
Virtual Reality (VR) Developer
With the potential to offer immersive experiences across entertainment, education, health, and much more, virtual reality is one of the most promising technologies of the digital age.
In practice, Virtual Reality Developers are computer programmers who develop VR software or applications. They use programming tools and several languages, such as C++, Python, and JavaScript to create these programmes.
As a highly technical and creative process - developers are involved in designing and developing various components of the virtual reality system, including the user interface, graphics, sound, and even the hardware. So, you need a polished portfolio that demonstrates your skills, and a CV writing expert can assist with that, as well as your resume and cover letter and LinkedIn profile.
As demand rises for virtual reality content, virtual reality developers are needed and poised to play an increasingly important role in the future of digital media and entertainment - with the Augmented Reality (AR) & VR market projected to reach a huge US$31.12bn (£25bn) in 2023.
Social Media Manager
More than half the world now uses social media, meaning an astronomical 4 billion people are accessing social media platforms on a daily basis.
With millions of users engaging on various platforms, it has become increasingly important for businesses to have a consistent online presence. This is where a Social Media Manager comes in.
A Social Media Manager is responsible for creating, curating, and managing content for a company's social media platforms. They are pivotal in developing strategies, making creative content, and driving awareness of the brand and business.
Ultimately, Social Media Managers bring expertise in the ever-changing world of social media - a concept that didn’t even exist two decades ago - and ensure that a company's online presence aligns with its goals and values.
User Experience (UX) Designer
The majority of industries now have an online presence, and an increasing number of businesses are realising that a positive user experience directly correlates with increased profits.
To stay ahead in a competitive landscape, businesses need to design digital products and services that cater to the unique needs and expectations of their users. And User Experience (UX) Designers make sure this happens.
A UX Designer is responsible for designing the overall user experience of digital products and services. They are an integral part of ensuring that they are user-friendly, easy to navigate, and deliver a seamless user experience.
In 2022, Glassdoor added UX designers to their list of the best 50 jobs to have - emphasising the growing demand. This is a great field to explore for those interested in combining strong problem-solving skills with creativity and collaboration.
Podcast Producer
If you have a passion for storytelling and journalism, or you want to share information with others, becoming a Podcast Producer could be the perfect career path for you.
The first recognised podcast was in 2004. Fast forward almost twenty years and podcasting has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment and education in the world today - with over 5 million available to listen to.
As the popularity of podcasts continues to grow, so does the demand for experienced and skilled podcast producers.
So, what does a Podcast Producer do? Simply put, a podcast producer is responsible for overseeing the creation and production of a podcast. They work with the host, or hosts, to develop the show’s format and content, manage the recording and editing process, and ensure that the finished product is ready for distribution.
NFT Artist
The rise of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has created a new wave of artists who use this medium to showcase their work. With the first NFT created in 2014 - the industry has gained a lot of traction in a short span of time.
An NFT is a digital asset that is unique, indivisible, and cannot be replicated. This means that each NFT is one of a kind and has its own value. NFTs are built on blockchain technology, which ensures that they are immutable, transparent, and secure.
NFT Artists create digital art pieces that are then tokenised, allowing them to be bought, sold, and traded on various blockchain marketplaces. This has opened up a new avenue for artists to monetise their work, as they receive a percentage of the sales each time their NFT changes hands.
NFT art is a new and exciting field that is still in its early stages. However, it is clear that it has the potential to revolutionise the art world.
