Architecture & Design Arts Occupations, 1940-1990.

Using data from federal government records and professional membership organizations, this study examines trends in demographics, education, employment, and earnings of architects and individuals in design arts occupations between 1940-1990. Findings indicate that: (1) participation in architecture and design occupations has increased slightly as a percentage of the experienced labor force and (2) significantly as part of the arts labor force. (3) The majority of participants in these occupations are between 25-44 years of age. (4) Architecture and design occupations remain predominantly white, male professions. (5) Only in the decorator profession does participation by women exceed that of men. (6) The Northeast and Midwest have lost their historic dominance in the architecture and design professions. (7) College experience has increased for participants in these professions. (8) The percentage of self employed architects has decreased, the percentage of self employed designers has increased. High levels of part time employment among decorators and designers reflect the large percentage of women in these professions. (9) Architectural receipts of $10 billion and graphic arts receipts of $3.2 billion were recorded in 1987. (10) Median income of architects and those in design professions was above that of the labor force average in 1989. Aspects of professionalism and competition, design deficits, and aesthetic utopian attitudes are discussed. Contains charts, statistical tables, and 58 references. (NP)