Art Directors
Overview
Art Directors are the creative masterminds behind the visual look of magazines, movies, TV shows, advertisements, and product packaging. They develop the overall style and concept for projects, then lead teams of graphic designers and other artists to bring their vision to life using digital design software and creative collaboration tools. This role combines artistic creativity with leadership skills, as Art Directors work closely with clients to understand their needs and manage budgets and timelines. Most Art Directors have degrees in art, design, or related fields and excel at both creative problem-solving and team management.
Did you know?
Building a comprehensive portfolio showcasing diverse creative projects is essential for demonstrating expertise and securing positions in America's competitive creative industry.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$93,068.48 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Programming
Key Responsibilities
- Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
- Present final layouts to clients for approval.
- Negotiate with printers and estimators to determine what services will be performed.
- Conceptualize and help design interfaces for multimedia games, products, and devices.
- Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.
- Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
- Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
- Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.
- Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
- Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing.
- Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
- Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
- Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
- Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
- Prepare detailed storyboards showing sequence and timing of story development for television production.
- Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.
Career Considerations
Strong Portfolio Development
Building a comprehensive portfolio showcasing diverse creative projects is essential for demonstrating expertise and securing positions in America's competitive creative industry.
Leadership and Team Management Skills
Developing strong leadership abilities is crucial for effectively directing multidisciplinary creative teams and managing complex project timelines in American corporate environments.
Market Trend Awareness
Staying current with American consumer preferences, cultural trends, and emerging technologies is vital for creating relevant and impactful creative campaigns.