National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

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524 - Creative designers and craftspersons

This minor group includes graphic designers, illustrators, interior designers and decorators, theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers, various artisans and craftspersons, and patternmakers for textile, leather and fur products. They are employed by advertising, graphic design, communications, construction, architectural, interior design and multimedia production companies; retail establishments, museums, hospitals, airlines and hotel and restaurant chains; festivals, performing arts and broadcasting companies; clothing, textile and manufacturing companies; and artisan guilds, colleges, private studios and recreational organizations; or they may be self-employed.

5241 - Graphic designers and illustrators

Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. This unit group also includes graphic designers who are supervisors, project managers or consultants. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • 3D animation artist
    • advertising designer
    • animator - animated films
    • bank note designer
    • cartoonist
    • commercial artist
    • graphic artist
    • graphic designer
    • graphic designer - multimedia
    • illustrator
    • layout designer
    • medical illustrator
    • multimedia illustrator
    • scientific illustrator

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Advertising managers (See 0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
    • Graphic arts technicians (See 5223 Graphic arts technicians)
    • Interior designers and interior decorators (See 5242 Interior designers and interior decorators)
    • Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (See 5136 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Graphic designers

    • Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
    • Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication
    • Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives
    • Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software
    • Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design
    • Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs
    • Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers
    • Co-ordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CDs and interactive terminals
    • Co-ordinate sub-contracting
    • Work in a multidisciplinary environment
    • Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians.

    Illustrators

    • Consult with clients to determine the nature and content of illustrations in order to meet their communications needs
    • Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches and final illustrations, by hand or using computer-assisted design (CAD) software, for printed materials such as books, magazines, packaging, greeting cards and stationery
    • Assist in developing storyboards for electronic productions such as multimedia, interactive and digital products and television advertising and productions
    • Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations
    • May adapt existing illustrations.

    Illustrators may specialize in a particular field such as illustrations for children, advertising, editorials, humour, or medical, scientific or technical illustration, or multimedia design.

  • Employment requirements

    • A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning
      or
      Completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.
    • Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
    • In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators.
    • Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to management or senior design positions is possible with experience.
    • The title "registered graphic designer" is recognized by law in Ontario.

5242 - Interior designers and interior decorators

Interior designers and interior decorators conceptualize and produce aesthetic, functional and safe designs for interior spaces in residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and industrial buildings. They are employed by architectural and interior design firms, retail establishments, construction companies, hospitals, airlines, hotel and restaurant chains, and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • aircraft interior designer
    • interior decorator
    • interior design technician
    • interior designer
    • kitchen designer
    • office space planner
    • retail space planner

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • home staging consultant
    • space management consultant
  • Exclusion(s)

    • Graphic designers and illustrators (See 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators)
    • Industrial designers (See 2252 Industrial designers)
    • Lighting designers (See 5243 Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers)
    • Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) (See 7294 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators))
    • Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers (See 5243 Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Consult with clients to determine needs, preferences, safety requirements and purpose of space
    • Develop detailed plans and 3-D models showing arrangement of walls, dividers, displays, lighting and other fixtures using computer-assisted design (CAD) software and graphics software
    • Develop plans, elevations, cross sections and detailed drawings, and advise on selection of colours, finishes and materials, floor and wall coverings, window treatments, interior and exterior lighting, furniture and other items, taking into account ergonomic and occupational health standards
    • Estimate costs and materials required and may advise on leasing, real estate and marketing
    • Prepare plans and specifications for the final interior designs in accordance with current practices and codes
    • Work in a multidisciplinary environment
    • May direct site work crews and subcontractors.

    Interior designers are experts in the area of interior architecture, construction materials and building codes. They may specialize in designing interiors for residential, commercial, institutional, cultural and industrial buildings and for aircraft, ships or trains, trade shows and exhibitions.

    Interior decorators may specialize in decorating residential or commercial interior spaces, home staging, colour consulting and home organizing.

  • Employment requirements

    Interior designers

    • A university degree or college diploma in interior design is usually required.
    • The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination may be required after six years of combined study and experience.
    • Certification by a provincial institute or association is required to use protected titles related to interior designers in all provinces except Prince Edward Island.

    Interior decorators

    • A college certificate or diploma in interior decoration is usually required.
    • Membership in the Canadian Decorators' Association is available to qualified decorators.

5243 - Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers

Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers conceptualize and produce designs for film, television, theatre and video productions, garments and textiles, displays and exhibits, and for other creative items such as jewellery and trophies. Theatre designers are employed by performing arts and broadcasting companies and by festivals; fashion designers are employed by clothing and textile companies or may be self-employed; and exhibit designers are employed by museums and retail establishments. Other creative designers in this unit group are employed by manufacturing establishments or may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • clothing designer
    • costume designer
    • couturier - haute couture
    • display designer
    • fabric designer
    • fashion designer
    • fur designer
    • jewellery designer
    • lighting designer
    • museum exhibit designer
    • shoe designer
    • trophy designer
    • window display designer

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • exhibit designer - museums and art galleries
    • facilities designer
    • fashion co-ordinator
    • fashion stylist
    • visual merchandiser
  • Exclusion(s)

    • Diorama makers - museums and galleries (See 5212 Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries)
    • Graphic designers and illustrators (See 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators)
    • Industrial designers (See 2252 Industrial designers)
    • Interior designers and interior decorators (See 5242 Interior designers and interior decorators)
    • Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products (See 5245 Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products)
    • Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners (See 6342 Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Theatre designers

    • Design and create settings, scenic environments, properties, costumes and lighting for theatre, film and video productions, operas and ballets.

    Fashion designers

    • Design and create clothing and accessories for men, women and children.

    Exhibit designers

    • Plan and develop permanent and temporary or moveable exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, retail spaces and other exhibitions.

    Theatre designers may specialize in costume, lighting or set design; fashion designers may specialize in men's, women's or children's apparel or in different lines such as sportswear, footwear or formal wear.

  • Employment requirements

    • A university degree in fine arts or visual arts with specialization in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design
      or
      Completion of a college or art school program in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design is required.
    • Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.
    • Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software may be required.
  • Additional information

    • Designers may advance to supervisory and management positions.

5244 - Artisans and craftspersons

Artisans and craftspersons use manual and artistic skills to design and make ornamental objects, pottery, stained glass, jewellery, rugs, blankets, other handicrafts and artistic floral arrangements. Makers of musical instruments are also included in this unit group. Most craftspersons are self-employed. Artistic floral arrangers are usually employed in florist shops and floral departments of retail establishments, or may be self-employed. Craft instructors are also included in this unit group and are employed by artisan guilds, colleges, private studios and recreational organizations.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • artistic floral arranger
    • carver
    • craft instructor (except education)
    • craftsperson
    • glass blower
    • lace weaver - arts and crafts
    • leather worker
    • metal arts worker
    • potter
    • screen printing artisan
    • silversmith
    • stained glass artist
    • stringed instrument maker
    • totem pole carver
    • weaver - arts and crafts

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Cabinetmakers (See 7272 Cabinetmakers)
    • Fabric making occupations in manufacturing (See 9442 Weavers, knitters and other fabric making occupations)
    • Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations (See 6344 Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations)
    • Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (See 5136 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    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 metal jewellery, utensils, implements, wall hangings and other objects and create them from gold, silver, copper, pewter and other metals.

    Potters

    • Design ornamental and ceramic functional earthenware pieces and create them using clay, moulds, potter's wheels and other equipment, glazing materials and kilns.

    Stained glass artists

    • Design stained glass windows, lampshades and other objects and cut, paint, fire and assemble pieces of stained glass to create such products.

    Instrument makers

    • Construct instruments by applying their knowledge of wood, ebonite, metal properties and other materials and instrument design using hand and power tools.

    Weavers

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

    Craft instructors

    • Prepare craftmaking lessons, gather the required working materials and demonstrate and teach craftmaking techniques.

    Artistic floral arrangers

    • Design bouquets, corsages, sprays, wreaths and other floral arrangements and select natural and artificial flowers, foliage and decorative accessories to create arrangements or other floral items to suit customers' requirements.
  • Employment requirements

    • Skills are often learned through apprenticeship with a master craftsperson.
    • Training programs are offered by artisan guilds, colleges and private studios.
    • Creative ability and talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, and knowledge of safe handling of material, tools and equipment are required.
    • A college diploma in fine craft techniques may be required.

5245 - Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products

Patternmakers in textile, leather and fur products create master patterns for the production of garments, footwear and other textile, leather or fur products. They are employed by pattern manufacturers, textile, leather or fur products manufacturers, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

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

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing (See 9217 Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Examine sketches, samples of articles and specifications of designs to determine number, size and shape of pattern parts and assess the amount of cloth required to make a product
    • Draw, lay out and cut master patterns of products
    • Outline parts of patterns on paper and mark patterns to indicate details such as the placement of pockets and pleats on garments, decorative stitching on shoe parts or eyelets on canvas products
    • Create pattern size variations from master patterns using computer or drafting instruments, or forward patterns to computer operator to create pattern size variations
    • Lay out master patterns on fabric and cut sample patterns
    • Mark size, identification, style and sewing instructions on sample patterns.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is required.
    • College courses in design and patternmaking
      or
      One to two years of on-the-job training are required.
    • Courses in computer-assisted patternmaking may be required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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