John Holland formulated an assessment tool to help determine dominating personality traits in a person in order to help make job searches more meaningful. With his assessment tool he came up with the Holland Codes, a set of six main personality types, based on the patterns he found in the general population at the time that he created the assessment. The codes are often quickly identified by the acronym RIASEC, with each letter representing a different personality type.
The Artistic types are the most creative of all of the Holland personality types. They explore their curiosity in very expressive ways by using many different mediums in their activities. No matter the position or field of work the artistic type works in you will find him or her thinking creatively to solve problems. Often times they can be found experimenting with their ideas or working to recreate pre-existing systems. They are known as the “creators” among people and so they seek out environments that allow them space to explore their creativity. This unconventional creative is often described as the “free-spirited” one of the group.
Characteristics of Artistic Types
An artistic friend can be described as impulsive, independent and sensitive. These qualities drive this personality type into very loosely structured environments and friendships. Because of this impulsive nature the artistic types can form warm relationships with others fairly quickly, even sometimes intensely. They are also very romantic in their general view, which fosters more creativity in almost everything they do.
Friends will describe the creator as complicated, open, and idealistic. Just like their tendency to romanticize otherwise mundane activities, they also view problems from idealistic standards. The artistic types tend to thrive in relationships and settings that allow them the freedom to not only explore their beliefs and ideas but also express them openly and regularly. They are abstract thinkers no matter the topic and so they can sometimes get caught up in deep conversations.
While their characteristics often times make traditional office work some kind of torture for them they are still great employees. The artistic person values change and independence as much as they practice their creative expression, making them diligent and busy workers. The same can be said in their roles as friends; they openly and loyally express their emotions and encourage the same from others.
Preferred Work Environments for Artistic Types
The creative souls indeed love being able to express themselves and so naturally love work environments that allow them to do that. Painters, musicians, writers and dancers stereotypically thrive in positions that allow them to practice their creative expression. Not all artistic types, though, are necessarily stereotypical artists. Instead, you might find their particular characteristics playing out in the work place. For instance, the creative employee may be the person to offer their time on marketing or illustration needs within a work place.
The artistic types don’t just practice art as a creative expression, though. These types also tend to exhibit stylish fashion choices and be creative chefs or bakers, as well. Journalism, and the general creative side of communication, can also serve as ideal work environments for the artistic types as they allow a little more creativity in its tasks. In fact, they tend to avoid very ordered environments with mundane and repetitive activities.
Typical Occupations for Artistic Types
If you were to observe the college population then you would find all the artistic types listed under majors such as Art, Journalism, Music, Fashion Design and even Philosophy. The common factor in each of these majors is that they provide incredible space and freedom to allow creative thinking and experimentation. Outside of the university setting you can still find these types in related fields of work. Music, theater and art teachers and performers are likely satisfied creators. You can also find them, however, working advertising, writing, and even reporting as these fields also allow flexible and creative thinking.
Whether the job is in the creative profession or not is not necessarily representative of whether or not it satisfies the characteristic of the artistic type. Instead, look to see how the work environment is structured because the artistic type can always find comfort in a place that allows them to simply be creative within their position.
The Holland Codes / RIASEC Series
- The Holland Codes or RIASEC: Career Options That Match Your Personality
- RIASEC Personality Type: Realistic (Doers)
- RIASEC Personality Type: Investigative (Thinkers)
- RIASEC Personality Type: Artistic (Creators)
- RIASEC Personality Type: Social (Helpers)
- RIASEC Personality Type: Enterprising (Persuaders)
- RIASEC Personality Type: Conventional (Organizers)
