Interests can translate into future Careers
Have you ever designed graphics for school projects, curated social media content, or put together looks for an event? These hobbies aren’t just fun; they can hint at skills that could lead to a career in creative industries. These interests/hobbies can be early signs of a professional industry. Although drawing, marketing, brand development, and even retail analytics may seem like separate fields, they are deeply connected; they are all creative industries. The range of careers in creative industries is wide and continues to grow. In our interview, Professor Miguel Barragan of ASU FIDM explained that creativity isn’t limited to traditional art. “If anything has to do with design, it’s part of the creative industry,” he said. Creative work often intersects with business, technology, and, in Professor Barragan’s expertise, fashion.
About Professor Miguel Barragan
Professor Miguel Barragan is the Assistant Director of Student Success and Curriculum, as well as a Clinical Assistant Professor at ASU FIDM. He works closely with students, faculty, and industry partners to prepare students for careers in creative fields. He has an extensive background in fashion, product development, and design. He began his career as an assistant designer and quickly advanced to creative director roles at multiple fashion companies, and took on projects in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Paris. Professor Barragan is passionate about mentorship, as he introduced a first-year fashion student to designer Holly Waddington during the costume showcase of the movie “Poor Things” at the ASU FIDM museum. He taught product development and technical design majors at FIDM before the school integrated with ASU (Arizona State University), where he now combines real-world industry experience with education and aids students.
What are creative industries?
Creative industries are more diverse than many people realize. Barragan explains, “There are so many job opportunities, but sometimes we only think of fashion designers or creative directors—and that’s just the beginning,” he said. But there are so many more. These fields include fashion, film and television production, journalism, advertising, music, graphic design, digital media, and architecture. What defines these industries is the combination of artistic creativity with business, technology, or management. This means that creative industries are where artistic expression meets a different field, like technology. Barragan, though, has a different approach. He explains that creative industries are careers that often combine artistry with practical skills; “a good designer is also a good business person. If you’re just designing things for the sake of being pretty, that’s great—but if you’re not making money from it, it’s more of a hobby,” He also highlights emerging opportunities. “The gaming industry has asked us, ‘Do our students know virtual reality designing?’ because we want fashion designers to start creating the looks of avatars.” Careers today are broader than they were even five years ago; this also reflects that technology is opening entirely new creative paths.
Technology
Technology, as mentioned, is an important factor in today’s world. With growing industries and job opportunities in tech, students can now explore new tools and platforms, whether that’s 3D design software, digital media creation, or even virtual reality, as explained in the interview. “We have implemented classes in virtual reality design. And we have also created a certificate, so if students take three classes in virtual reality, they’re certified by the software. They’re ahead of the game.”
How High School Students Can Prepare
Professor Barragan encourages students to explore their interests early because hobbies often reveal career potential. Students can start developing skills now through school projects, social media, online shops, or even organizing school events. He emphasizes curiosity, asking questions, and most importantly, networking; “people love to talk about themselves. Acting on your curiosity will take you far.” By asking questions, connecting with mentors, and finding opportunities to real world experiences, students can early on learn the communication and leadership skills that are vital in creative industries. It’s also important to note hands on experiance and actual early practices, Barragan shares how he brings real projects into the classroom. “Sometimes in class, there’s a lot of theory, so we make mood boards, and I can show the students here’s the mood board I did last week. The students’ work is of high quality because they can see what happens in reality and not just participate in conversations. This not only reflects the importance of hands-on training and the training at ASU FIDM, but also the fact that people truly make creative projects like this for a living. Creative industries are much more than making visually appealing products; they’re about solving problems, shaping culture, and creating meaningful experiences. Barrragon reminds students, “There’s room for everyone in the industry. We all buy clothes. We all experience design. There’s a place for everyone if they really want to try it.” For students interested in exploring these creative fields, the takeaway is to pursue your interests. Act on your curiosity and look for opportunities. Whether this would be in school within your electives, or in outside interests. As Barragan puts it, “Curiosity is always in style.”
Sources
Professor Miguel Barragan interview
https://www.forbes.com/sites/avidan/2022/02/23/agencies-forgot-that-creative-is-not-a-department-its-a-culture/
