{"id":781,"date":"2025-05-20T14:39:38","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T14:39:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/?p=781"},"modified":"2025-05-20T14:41:45","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T14:41:45","slug":"how-to-choose-a-creative-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/how-to-choose-a-creative-career\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Creative Career Path; Or Do You Have to Choose Just One?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Why Choose One Career When You Can Have It All?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That might not be the official motto of Furman\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Master of Arts in Strategic Design<\/a> (MASD), but it certainly captures the spirit of the program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Furman University<\/a> is known for its interdisciplinary liberal arts education and stunning campus in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/campus-life\/exploring-greenville\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greenville, South Carolina<\/a>. That same multi-faceted approach extends to its graduate programs \u2014 especially MASD.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The MASD program blends the best of <\/span><b>art, business, communication and English<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, giving students a chance to explore a variety of fields or specialize in their passion through a robust list of electives.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>What Is Strategic Design?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strategic Design is an interdisciplinary approach that combines creativity, business strategy, communication and technology to drive innovation and solve complex problems. It prepares students to think holistically and act effectively across a range of industries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below are four fields where Strategic Design is in high demand \u2014 and how MASD prepares students to thrive in them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Marketing &amp; Advertising Creative Careers<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In marketing and advertising, great design strategy drives business growth \u2014 boosting revenue, building customer loyalty and enhancing brand perception.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through MASD, students learn how to analyze market segments, competitors and customer behavior to develop campaigns aligned with brand goals. Strategic design ensures marketing dollars are spent with purpose, leading to stronger returns and more meaningful customer engagement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Example careers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Art Director<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marketing Strategist<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creative Director<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital Content Manager<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Technology &amp; UX\/UI Careers<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design are more than industry buzzwords \u2014 they\u2019re crucial to how people interact with technology. Strategic Design supports UX\/UI by improving product usability, accessibility and aesthetic appeal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the MASD program, students learn to wireframe, prototype and build digital experiences that reflect brand values and user research.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/miro.com\/app\/embed\/uXjVKpOr18c=\/?pres=1&amp;frameId=3458764597227370705&amp;embedId=448059412289\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><b>Example careers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UX\/UI Designer<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Product Designer<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human-Centered Design Specialist<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital Experience Strategist<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Branding &amp; Art Direction Careers<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When most people hear \u201cbranding,\u201d they think \u201clogo.\u201d But brands are built on much more \u2014 voice, visuals, story and emotion. Strategic Design connects these elements through intentional storytelling and consistent identity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MASD equips students to lead brand development that resonates \u2014 visually, verbally and emotionally.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_808\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-808\" class=\"wp-image-808 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/05\/TurnerTots_BrandKit-1024x663.jpg\" alt=\"Chris Turner food truck kit of parts\" width=\"1024\" height=\"663\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/05\/TurnerTots_BrandKit-1024x663.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/05\/TurnerTots_BrandKit-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/05\/TurnerTots_BrandKit-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/05\/TurnerTots_BrandKit-2048x1325.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/05\/TurnerTots_BrandKit-512x331.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/05\/TurnerTots_BrandKit-1280x828.jpg 1280w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/663;\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-808\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Food truck brand kit by Chris Turner, MASD \u201925<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>Example careers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Art Director<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brand Strategist<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creative Director<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Packaging &amp; Visual Designer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Corporate Innovation &amp; Business Strategy Careers<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strategic Design brings creative thinking into the boardroom. It enhances traditional business strategy by introducing customer-centricity, creative insight and cross-functional collaboration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MASD graduates are uniquely prepared to connect design and business, helping companies develop better services, experiences and systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Example careers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Innovation Strategist<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business Design Consultant<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customer Experience Designer<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brand Experience Manager<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Built for the Multi-Passionate, Future-Focused Professional Job Market<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each of these industries needs people who merge creativity with strategy \u2014 and that\u2019s exactly what a Master\u2019s in Strategic Design cultivates. MASD graduates enter the workforce with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/student-portfolios\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">refined portfolio<\/a>, real-world experience and the skills to make an immediate impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students come to MASD from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds \u2014 from religion to sustainability, education to political science. Some enter with a clear path; others come to explore their creative potential and discover their focus through hands-on courses and mentorship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of background or future plans, every student receives one-on-one guidance and instruction from design professionals. Over two years, they build a powerful portfolio that demonstrates their ability to lead in <\/span><b>marketing, UX\/UI, branding, advertising and innovation strategy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/academics\/majors-minors-programs\/strategic-design-masters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Furman\u2019s MASD program<\/a> empowers students not to choose a single path \u2014 but to design their own.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why Choose One Career When You Can Have It All? That might not be the official motto of Furman\u2019s Master of Arts in Strategic Design (MASD), but it certainly captures [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":431,"featured_media":786,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/431"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=781"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":811,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/781\/revisions\/811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/strategic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}