While visual art-as an academic discipline-remains a component of arts and science departments, a rising trend among tech firms indicates the recruitment of professional artists as an effective strategy for increasing workplace creativity and product innovation. A recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts reveals more than 2 million professionals identify as artist, representing 1.35 percent of the workforce. The findings suggests a broader pool of workers possess the skills for applying creative thinking despite identifying as a professional in a related field.
As a way of bringing the creativity in colleges and universities into the business world, the tech industry has been sponsoring artist-in-residency programs which gives them the opportunity to examine the ways in which it can lead engineering teams into building practical software. With the launch of its program in May, Adobe became the latest tech firm to include an artist-in-residence program-joining Facebook, Planet Labs and Autodesk.
Adobe plans to discover new information regarding the process of creating and marketing projects made with original artwork. Becky Simpson conducts research on the development of new products that feature hand-drawn illustrations. Kelli Anderson researches methods of art fabrication on pop-up creations using paper as a medium. They apply Adobe software and examine similar products in order to determine its ability to help users complete the processes of developing new artwork. The artists build audiences through social media, publish findings on Adobe’s ‘Create blog’, and recommend software innovations quarterly.
While the program assists in conducting market research, it suggests creative thinkers can spur innovation and job growth in technology. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statics predicts one million new educators will enter the workforce by 2022, along with an additional one million in sales. Business strategist project tech firms as prospective leaders in hiring the demographic for positions in administration, sales and marketing.