"Become a people person. ", Art director Jenny Theolin comments: "For me, the main difference between working as a graphic designer and as an art director was that I worked more with people than computers. You can read more about these career personality types here. You like starting up and carrying out projects. On the other hand, skill is what is appreciated. Mid-size, you’re CD, AD, designer, deckmaker. What is an art director, and what traits make a great one? So, in order to become an Art Director, one should have the following set of skills (or at least the majority of them): Learn about your job. Added to that, of course, is a killer portfolio so if this has prompted you to make sure yours is up to scratch, we've got loads of portfolio inspiration to get you started in our rundown of the best portfolio examples. However, according to Fenton, an art director's primary concern is to inspire and guide their team. To be the best art director you can be, you'll need to be confident giving feedback, both internally and outside of your studio. The art director job description calls for applicants to acquire a college education in art-related fields and demonstrate designing talents. As we touched on earlier, studios are increasingly developing in such a way that there is a less clear distinction between what different creatives do. create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance. There are a number of so-called soft skills and character traits that are essential to the role. This vision often develops into a desire to lead campaigns—to create large-scale, multi-fa… And if you're convinced the role's for you, you can read on for some top tips for how to become an art director (skip to the tips here), or head over to our shiny new design jobs board to find your next career challenge. There are no set qualifications to become an advertising art director, but entrants usually have a degree.Art and design degree courses are widely available at universities and art colleges throughout the UK. Two-year diplomas are also available in the field of art, that can serve as a plus if you are looking to become an art director. Response 1 of 14: Small agency you’re CD, Sr AD, AD, Copywriter, strategist, designer and deck maker and get paid $80k. Okay = 1 point. Ultimately though, the role is often shaped by the person in it. ", You'll have a role in shaping the direction of projects and pushing the creative in new directions, so you're going to need to be aware of industry progressions and trends, and work hard to keep things fresh. Of course, there is plenty that can be learned from those who have been in the role themselves. Stan T.April 28, 2020Career, QuizLeave a Comment. BA1 1UA. "As an art director you must be a leader; someone who inspires and guides the vision of the design team," explains Blimp Creative founder James Fenton. However, specific art director training is only provided on-job once you have been hired. People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. Becoming an art director might be something you'd like to consider! Yana Rusanova, experienced freelance Art Director and Production Designer, explains that an Art Director’s role is extremely varied and her focus shifts depending on the budget of the project. ", The role of an art director is not limited to considering the visual side of things – they need to be able to guide an audience through the information being presented to them, using words as well as images, and creating structure and emphasis through the layout and typography. "No person is an island; design and studio life are rarely a solitary endeavour. — Casey Lam, Art Director at Creativity180. The daily activities depends on which stage of the development you're in. "The role of the art director could be compared to that of a chef, fusing together ingredients to produce a menu of delightful dishes," he explains. Typographic work by Casey Lam. "There is no single formula for what makes a good art director: it's not a discipline taught in design schools, there are no books or guides that define the steps to success," adds Fenton. How to become an Art Director Art directors need at least a bachelor’s degree in an art or design subject and previous work experience. formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications media, such as print, broadcasting, and advertising. Would you make a good Art Director? Be confident with feedback. There are numerous paths to this career destination, and many of them overlap. Please refresh the page and try again. You like work that requires self-expression and work that can be done without following a clear set of rules. https://creative.artisantalent.com/creative-directors-vs.-art-directors It is better you finish up way before the deadline than failing to meet the deadline. You make $125k. So what makes a great art director? If you have multiple large clients, then a creative director may be needed to manage the workload and guide clients in the … Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing. "You must be a mediator between writers and designers, understanding both disciplines and working closely with each. Working for one or more bosses, you could be charged with coming up with the ultimate visual concept of a project. As an art director, you can expect to work with artists and technical professionals to complete projects. "We believe in great ideas and bold opinions, and we encourage them from all across the studio.". design clothing and accessories. Depending on the industry, they may have worked as graphic designers, illustrators, copy editors, photographers, or in another art or design occupation before becoming art directors. They also like starting up and carrying out projects. ", Know when and where to best invest your energy, when you need to get involved and when it’s better to be more hands off, There are a number of skills that will help you shine in this role. We don’t care if feedback comes from an intern, or an account manager – if it helps make the work better it’s valid," says Brears. "Having the leadership skills to do this effectively and consistently is one of the most challenging requirements of art director roles – and is not always easy to find in a portfolio. Present final layouts to clients for approval. "Hound your heroes and ask to meet them. Your email address will not be published. Answer “Like” if you tell yourself “Yes, I’m interested”. It is the charge of a sole art director to supervise and unify the vision. So you want to start down the path of being an art director. The journey is as important as the destination and being able to communicate the whats, the whys, and the pit-stops along the way is crucial.".