Art Directors: The Creative Minds behind Every Picture
If you are intrigued by the creative industry and dream of playing a critical role in the creation of visual masterpieces, then you should consider the occupation of art directors. Art directors are the professionals who oversee the artwork, layout, and overall design of a project, whether it’s a film, website, or any of the countless creative ventures that require the keen eye of an artist. To become an art director, you need to possess not just a great sense of style but also excellent leadership, communication, and collaborative skills. Read on to learn the ins and outs of this exciting creative role.
What Is the Role of Art Directors?
Art directors are responsible for an extensive range of visually oriented endeavors, including creating visual identities for brands, designing graphics for movies or TV shows, developing websites or print campaigns, producing motion graphics, and creating environments for video games. As an art director, you lead and direct the creative team, oversee the budget, collaborate with clients, and help ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget
Examples of Art Director Jobs
The scope of the art director’s job is broad, but here are some specific examples to give you an idea of what professionals in this field do:
- Art Director in Advertising Agencies – creating ad campaigns and designs that convey brand messaging with visuals.
- Art Director in Film and TV – creates visual design and directs the aesthetic of shows and films.
- Art Director in Video Games- creates the art designs and styles of video games in collaboration with a team.
- Art Director in Publication- designs layouts of magazines for visual appeal
Training Required to be an Art Director
While there are no hard and fast educational requirements to become an art director, it is highly recommended that you earn a bachelor’s degree in fine arts or another related field. Relevant majors include graphic design, fine art, digital design, visual communication, or even marketing. In addition, some art directors earn a master’s degree in their chosen field, which can help them stand out to potential employers. Art directors also need to develop their skills in design software, such as Photoshop and Adobe Creative Suite, to stay relevant in the industry.
Advancement in Art Direction
Art direction careers have a bright future for those with the right mindset and attitude. The advancement of an art director depends on factors such as job performance, the type of organization, and years of experience. A junior art director may become a senior art director after gaining experience for three to five years. From there, they may advance to become a creative director, chief creative officer, or executive creative director.
How to Get into the Art Director Field
Entering the art direction field requires a combination of education, skills, and experience. Here are some tips on how to break into the industry:
- Become proficient in your art-making tools
- Obtain a relevant degree
- Find internships or entry-level positions
- Build a portfolio
- Network with peers, mentors, and professional organizations
- Consider freelance or consulting work and train yourself to be a powerful communicator
| Geography | Occupation | Job Level | Union Status | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US National Average | Art directors | All workers | Not able to be leveled | $138,153.60 |
| US National Average | Art directors | All workers | Entry | $93,745.60 |
| US National Average | Art directors | All levels | Nonunion | $123,115.20 – $112,902.40 |
| US National Average | Art directors | All levels | Full-time | $123,739.20 – $115,460.80 |
| US National Average | Art directors | Not able to be leveled | Full-time | $135,428.80 |
| US National Average | Art directors | All levels | Time-based pay | $124,113.60 – $114,337.60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Art directors | All levels | Time-based pay | $130,228.80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Art directors | All levels | Full-time | $128,876.80 |
Art directors are responsible for the visual style and imagery in various forms of media such as advertisements, books, newspapers, magazines, films and TV shows. The job level for art directors can range from entry-level positions to those with extensive experience in the field. The US national average salary for art directors is $138,153.60, with those in entry-level positions earning an average of $93,745.60. The salary can vary based on union status and type of pay, with those in non-union positions earning between $112,902.40 to $123,115.20, while those in time-based pay positions earn between $114,337.60 to $124,113.60.
In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue region of Washington, the average salary for art directors is higher, with those in time-based pay positions earning an average of $130,228.80 and those in full-time positions earning an average of $128,876.80.
The effects of unions on this job can include collective bargaining, improved working conditions, and job security. However, being part of a union may also mean adhering to strict rules and regulations and paying union dues.
