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Art editor
Art editors use images and words to decide what an online or printed magazine looks like.
Average salary (a year)
£20000
Starter
£40000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings
occasionally
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You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; working towards this role; applying directly
University
It may help to have a higher national diploma (HND), foundation degree or degree in a subject such as
graphic design, illustration, fine art, photography, publishing
graphic design, illustration, fine art, photography, publishing
Work experience at university
Your creative skills will be as important to employers as your degree. It's important to get work experience and build a portfolio to show what you can do.
Your university careers service can help you find relevant work experience, internship and year placement opportunities.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- a foundation diploma in art and design
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could apply for a job as an assistant editor after completing a creative or media related course at college.
Relevant subjects include
Level 3 Diploma in Photography, Level 3 National Diploma in Art and Design
Level 3 Diploma in Photography, Level 3 National Diploma in Art and Design
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice for higher education courses in college|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
search for courses|/find-a-course
Work
You could get into this job by joining a magazine as a graphic designer or picture editor.
You could then move on to become deputy art editor then editor.
Volunteering
You should get yourself known and build up your contacts in the industry to help find paid work.
To do this you could
create a blog or build your online 'brand' through social media, build a website to showcase your work, find design opportunities with charities or student organisations, follow magazines on social media to find out about events, work experience and jobs
create a blog or build your online 'brand' through social media, build a website to showcase your work, find design opportunities with charities or student organisations, follow magazines on social media to find out about events, work experience and jobs
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs if you've got the right skills and experience. For specialist magazines, you may have an advantage if you have a special interest or background in the subject.
For example, an interest in science or architecture will be useful if you want to work on magazines covering those topics.
More Information
Career Tips
It's useful to get experience of print and digital work. Showing you can use up to date desktop publishing and computer graphics software will make your application stand out.
Professional And Industry Bodies
You may find it useful to join the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further Information
You can also find out more about working in art, publishing and other creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
Knowledge of media production and communication
The ability to read english
Excellent verbal communication skills
To be flexible and open to change
To be thorough and pay attention to detail
The ability to organise your time and workload
Excellent written communication skills
The ability to work well with others
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Day to day tasks
As an art editor, you might
design the layout of pages using graphics and photos, discuss your ideas with colleagues, manage freelance designers, illustrators and photographers, design the cover of the magazine, choose an overall look and style for each issue
design the layout of pages using graphics and photos, discuss your ideas with colleagues, manage freelance designers, illustrators and photographers, design the cover of the magazine, choose an overall look and style for each issue
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio or in an office.
With experience, you could
become an art director, work at an advertising agency, become self employed as a freelance art editor, set up your own design agency
become an art director, work at an advertising agency, become self employed as a freelance art editor, set up your own design agency
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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