4 answers
emmiy
Student
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
1
Question
Asked
567 views
What major should I pursue to become a creative director?
Before I wanted to be an architect but considering threads on reddit about AI replacing it and being a dying career with low wage my family wanted me to go for data analyst but I cannot let go of designs and creativity as I like doing it and after some research I came to know about creative director , art director and product designer and among them I want to pursue creative director nevertheless , I'm stuck between what major should I pursue for creative director of perfumes ,clothes and cosmetic brands also I searched on Google on which it showed that ui/ux designers are very demanding in future and pays alot . My question is does the ui/ux designer work with designs and graphics is it easy and fun doing? how much time and experience it takes to become a creative director of fashion brands and also for ui/ux designer and what is their entry level salary and will they be demanding in the future? and what should I pursue among them ?
Login to comment
4 answers
Ryan Capers
User Experience Designer
3
Answers
Merrimack, New Hampshire
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Becoming a creative director is not usually a starting job or linked to a specific major. If you're interested in fashion, perfume, or cosmetics, consider studying graphic design, visual communication, advertising, or fashion communication. Build a portfolio that highlights your skills in branding, packaging, campaigns, and photography. Many creative directors start as designers or art directors, so it might take 7 to 10 years to reach that level.
UI/UX design is a bit different. It involves creating apps and websites, along with research, testing, problem-solving, and collaborating with developers. It can be challenging and might not be the best fit if you're mainly drawn to fashion and brand visuals.
Try working on one branding project and one UI/UX project to see what you enjoy more. If you love campaigns and visual storytelling, graphic design or visual communication might be for you. If you're more interested in enhancing digital products, consider UI/UX. Focus on your skills and portfolio rather than just salary or concerns about AI—these will be more important than your exact degree.
UI/UX design is a bit different. It involves creating apps and websites, along with research, testing, problem-solving, and collaborating with developers. It can be challenging and might not be the best fit if you're mainly drawn to fashion and brand visuals.
Try working on one branding project and one UI/UX project to see what you enjoy more. If you love campaigns and visual storytelling, graphic design or visual communication might be for you. If you're more interested in enhancing digital products, consider UI/UX. Focus on your skills and portfolio rather than just salary or concerns about AI—these will be more important than your exact degree.
Matt Kisling
Talent Acquisition
6
Answers
Mount Airy, Maryland
Updated
Matt’s Answer
It's perfectly normal to feel torn between your love for design and your family's wish for your financial security. You don't have to settle for a job that doesn't inspire you just to earn a living. Here's a quick look at two exciting career paths and how to decide which one suits you best.
1. UI/UX Design: The Creative Tech Path
What it is: This isn't just about making things look nice; it's about creating user-friendly digital experiences. UI focuses on the look and layout, while UX is about how a product feels and functions.
Is it fun and easy? It's fun if you like solving problems and understanding people, but it takes effort. You'll need to balance creativity with logic and business goals.
Time to start: About 1–2 years of focused study, including building a strong portfolio.
Entry-Level Salary: Competitive, usually between $60,000 and $80,000+ in the US.
Future Demand: Strong. While AI handles some tasks, the need for human insight ensures this remains a rewarding career.
2. Fashion/Cosmetics Creative Director: The Visual Storyteller
What it is: You shape a brand's image and story, working with teams to create appealing visuals for products like perfumes and clothing.
How long it takes: It's a top role that requires 7 to 10+ years of experience. You'll start in roles like Graphic Designer or Junior Art Director.
Entry-Level Salary: Lower at first, around $45,000 to $60,000, but Creative Directors can earn $120,000 to $160,000+.
Future Demand: Stable but competitive. Luxury brands always need human creativity and cultural insight.
Which Major to Choose?
For perfumes, clothing, and cosmetics, consider majors like Fashion Design, Visual Communication, or Fine Arts.
For UI/UX, look into Interaction Design or Human-Computer Interaction.
What Should You Pursue?
The Hybrid Compromise: Consider Product Design. In digital, this includes UI/UX and product strategy. In physical design, it involves creating items like perfume bottles.
Choose UI/UX or Digital Product Design for financial security and a love of tech and problem-solving. It meets your family's wish for stability while keeping you creative.
Choose the Fashion/Cosmetics path if you love visual aesthetics and luxury branding, and are ready to work your way up to lead a major brand.
1. UI/UX Design: The Creative Tech Path
What it is: This isn't just about making things look nice; it's about creating user-friendly digital experiences. UI focuses on the look and layout, while UX is about how a product feels and functions.
Is it fun and easy? It's fun if you like solving problems and understanding people, but it takes effort. You'll need to balance creativity with logic and business goals.
Time to start: About 1–2 years of focused study, including building a strong portfolio.
Entry-Level Salary: Competitive, usually between $60,000 and $80,000+ in the US.
Future Demand: Strong. While AI handles some tasks, the need for human insight ensures this remains a rewarding career.
2. Fashion/Cosmetics Creative Director: The Visual Storyteller
What it is: You shape a brand's image and story, working with teams to create appealing visuals for products like perfumes and clothing.
How long it takes: It's a top role that requires 7 to 10+ years of experience. You'll start in roles like Graphic Designer or Junior Art Director.
Entry-Level Salary: Lower at first, around $45,000 to $60,000, but Creative Directors can earn $120,000 to $160,000+.
Future Demand: Stable but competitive. Luxury brands always need human creativity and cultural insight.
Which Major to Choose?
For perfumes, clothing, and cosmetics, consider majors like Fashion Design, Visual Communication, or Fine Arts.
For UI/UX, look into Interaction Design or Human-Computer Interaction.
What Should You Pursue?
The Hybrid Compromise: Consider Product Design. In digital, this includes UI/UX and product strategy. In physical design, it involves creating items like perfume bottles.
Choose UI/UX or Digital Product Design for financial security and a love of tech and problem-solving. It meets your family's wish for stability while keeping you creative.
Choose the Fashion/Cosmetics path if you love visual aesthetics and luxury branding, and are ready to work your way up to lead a major brand.
Thank you!! I have decided to pursue a path in product design, as it seems to be the ideal balance between my creative interests and professional goals. Would a degree in Interaction Design is suitable for this career?
emmiy
Yes, a degree in interaction design would certainly be helpful and applicable to a path in product design - definitely will be beneficial (although it's not the only path/option).
Ryan Capers
Roseanne Chao
UX Design
5
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Roseanne’s Answer
Agreed with above: Creative Directors usually have some sort of art degree, or even Psychoogy. You can even search for creative directors on Linkedin and see what majors those people did to get to their career path today.
Does the ui/ux designer work with designs and graphics is it easy and fun doing?
-> Remember that there is a difference between UX and UI. UX includes research on humans and a lot of insights analysis, while UI is the stereotypical "fun" thing where you "make things pretty." You do have to have decent UI knowledge to do well in UX. There are some jobs that might hire you for "UX and UI" but in reality there isn't much "UI" creativity, and you're mainly doing studies on the user experience only. But overall, "fun and easy" is subjective... some people may be horrible at it if they don't have an eye for these things. But I 100% wouldn't call it easy because research needs a lot of training & studying.
how much time and experience it takes to become a creative director of fashion brands and also for ui/ux designer and what is their entry level salary and will they be demanding in the future?
-> Salary depends on where you work. Its much higher in the USA, while in most Asian countries it drops significantly. Especially graphic design.
-> there are many different roles with the "Creative Director" name. So you can technically become one immediately after graduating. There are other positions that usually take 6-10 years to get into.
Does the ui/ux designer work with designs and graphics is it easy and fun doing?
-> Remember that there is a difference between UX and UI. UX includes research on humans and a lot of insights analysis, while UI is the stereotypical "fun" thing where you "make things pretty." You do have to have decent UI knowledge to do well in UX. There are some jobs that might hire you for "UX and UI" but in reality there isn't much "UI" creativity, and you're mainly doing studies on the user experience only. But overall, "fun and easy" is subjective... some people may be horrible at it if they don't have an eye for these things. But I 100% wouldn't call it easy because research needs a lot of training & studying.
how much time and experience it takes to become a creative director of fashion brands and also for ui/ux designer and what is their entry level salary and will they be demanding in the future?
-> Salary depends on where you work. Its much higher in the USA, while in most Asian countries it drops significantly. Especially graphic design.
-> there are many different roles with the "Creative Director" name. So you can technically become one immediately after graduating. There are other positions that usually take 6-10 years to get into.
Yining Zhao
Product Designer
3
Answers
Redwood City, California
Updated
Yining’s Answer
Hi! It’s great to see you holding onto what you enjoy—knowing what you like is already a major first win, congrats!
Creative design roles in the fashion and tech industries are very different. Coming from a tech UX design background, I can tell you that daily UX work often goes hand-in-hand with UI design. Depending on the company's size and product focus, graphic design needs vary, but in tech, it's mostly UI design—working with design systems, buttons, forms, and digital components.
If you are specifically looking for pure graphic design or visual branding work, keep an eye out for roles at design agencies (where designers often wear multiple hats) or dedicated graphic/creative design positions at larger companies.
Creative design roles in the fashion and tech industries are very different. Coming from a tech UX design background, I can tell you that daily UX work often goes hand-in-hand with UI design. Depending on the company's size and product focus, graphic design needs vary, but in tech, it's mostly UI design—working with design systems, buttons, forms, and digital components.
If you are specifically looking for pure graphic design or visual branding work, keep an eye out for roles at design agencies (where designers often wear multiple hats) or dedicated graphic/creative design positions at larger companies.