An Advanced Class ... though not a Prestigious one.

Those individuals who find themselves on a path to be interested in Artifice tend to be both a bit cracked and a bit driven. Too curious by half. And, too personally inventive to know when they are in too deep.  On the surface artifice is the manipulation of science ... not magic... but a horse by any other color is still a horse. An artificer is an individual who lives on the edge of magic and science. They are craftsmen and engineers, mixing the arcane and divine with a new discipline: technology.
Students of exotic sciences and vague theories, practitioners of this method are viewed with a curious derision by the general public who will often show stunned surprise at any working invention and a grudging but burgeoning respect for the scholar.   Those who practice more traditional magics tend to be seen with awed hostility. Outcast by a society that, like a rabid dog, might bite the hand that has saves individuals again and again. Such spellcasters may view the Artificer with a tinge of jealous hostility, and think that the Artificer's path is NO DIFFERENT from their own. Most Artificers would disagree that what they are doing shares ANY similarity to the hokum and mystic hand waving of 'traditional' arcanistry.

While Bards and Alchemists share a better spotlight than any other caster, they tend to be so accepted because the populace is ignorant that what THEY do is actually TRUE magic. Due to the pursuit of Artificers as being master craftsmen and scholars their role is leaning toward bardic knowledge ... but the jury is still out regarding their universal acceptance.  Lots of people still regard Artificers as being scholars that are a bit unhinged by their isolation.  And need to be pulled out of their "book cave" (library) and socialize a bit more.  When they are presented by the Artificer's latest gadget many will display an overtaxed tolerance one typically reserves for troublesome overschooled boys. [Regardless of their outward physical appearance, there is STILL an unwavering geekiness to their pet theories that saps at any social status.  There are always those who are more patient with this behavior than others. Artificers may even go out of their way to foster and maintain these individuals. ]