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Career paths after Senior High School Arts and Design strand
See which careers fit your traits — based on what Filipino SHS Arts and Design graduates typically pursue.
What SHS Arts and Design graduates typically do
Common career destinations for Filipino Senior High School Arts and Design graduates, grouped by frequency in the DepEd K-12 Curriculum Guide track-to-pathway mapping.
Most common
Common
Niche or specialised
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About SHS Arts and Design (Arts and Design Track)
The Arts and Design track is a dedicated SHS track for students aiming at careers in visual arts, multimedia, architecture, interior design, music, film, and the performing arts. Specialised subjects cover developing Filipino identity in the arts, integrating elements and principles of art across disciplines, arts production, and apprenticeship work with practising artists or studios. It prepares graduates for BFA and BS programs in design and the arts, as well as direct freelance or studio work in the Philippine creative industry.
- College (BFA in Visual Arts, BFA in Multimedia Arts, BS Architecture, BS Interior Design, BS Music)
- Freelance creative work (design, illustration, photography, music production)
- Apprenticeship at design studios, animation houses (e.g. Philippine animation industry), or production companies
Source: DepEd K-12 Curriculum Guide · K-12 Senior High School overseen by DepEd Philippines, started 2012.
Frequently asked questions about SHS Arts and Design
What college programs follow the SHS Arts and Design track?
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Arts, BFA in Multimedia Arts, BFA in Industrial Design, BS Architecture, BS Interior Design, BS Music or Music Production, and Bachelor of Performing Arts are the most direct fits. Architecture and Interior Design programs require a strong drawing portfolio.
Can I make a living as an artist or designer in the Philippines?
Yes, particularly in graphic design, multimedia art, animation, architecture, and interior design — all of which have steady local and outsourced-to-Philippines demand. The local animation industry serves international clients, and freelance design through online platforms is a common income source.
Is a portfolio more important than the SHS diploma for arts careers?
For purely creative roles (illustrator, photographer, freelance designer) the portfolio matters more than the SHS diploma. For regulated professions (Architecture, Interior Design) the diploma plus a college degree plus a PRC licence are required.
What if I want to combine arts with technology?
Multimedia Arts, Animation, Game Design, UX/UI Design, and Architecture-with-BIM-software are all hybrid paths well-supported by the Arts and Design track. BS Information Technology with a multimedia specialisation is also reachable, though it may require bridging math courses.
How competitive is admission to top arts and design colleges?
Programs at UP Diliman College of Fine Arts, Ateneo Department of Fine Arts, De La Salle-CSB School of Design and Arts, and UST College of Architecture require both an entrance exam and a portfolio review. Strong SHS work and a focused portfolio are both expected.