How to Become an Art Director

Art directors create designs for various projects in the creative industries. They will generally conceptualise the design, and then oversee its creation by the design team. They may be employed by one company or work on a freelance basis.

An art director has a senior role in producing the images and layout of designs for television, adverts, films, video games, and other products. They will be in charge of creating the product, from its concept to execution, and will oversee the work of others in the design team. 

Art directors will generally focus on one specialism: such as advertising, creating the images used in films, graphic design, web design, or creating the packaging for video games. 

The duties of an art director can range greatly depending on their specialism, but they will typically include: 

• Considering the concept and using their expertise to assess how to represent it visually. 
• Deciding which artwork to use for the concept.
• Considering the overall style of the campaign, theatre, television, or film set. 
• Overseeing the work of design staff. 
• Making budgets for art projects. 

As art directors work in a variety of industries, the type of work that they provide can vary.

• In publishing roles, they will oversee the page layout and select the cover art.
• In advertising and public relations roles, they will consider their desired message and ensure that it is properly represented in visual form.
• In movie production roles, they will collaborate with directors for any artistic needs. 

Art directors are generally expected to have a degree in art or design subject, as well as extensive work experience in the arts industries. Art directors may have previously worked in illustration, photography, graphic design, or another arts vocation. 

Some candidates only have a foundation degree, but as the industry is becoming increasingly competitive, bachelor degrees are becoming more important. Some candidates even have masters in fields such as fine arts or business-related subjects. 

Typically, graduates will enter the field as a junior creative and will eventually work their way up to the art director role. Excelling in all previous jobs, taking supplementary courses, and having a real passion for the job can strengthen a candidate’s chance of achieving the role of an art director.

Prospective art directors should have a portfolio of their work. If they have not yet done any projects, they should create some mock-ups to demonstrate their skills.

The art director skillset is particular. Candidates must be creative and should be able to both visualise the project and inspire the design team, communicating their ideas effectively throughout the entire project. 

While they should have an artistic flair, the requirement for being able to draw is becoming less critical, as most designs are now computerised. Candidates should be experts with these drawing programmes.

Art directors need to be continually thinking of new ideas – they may find that they are always switched on, even when they are out of the office. They should also take criticism well, as their work will be naturally criticised throughout their career.

Many art directors are self-employed and work on a freelance basis. However, some are employed by businesses in the publishing or advertising sectors. 

Art directors should be able to work in a fast-paced environment, sometimes needing to meet strict deadlines. This can mean working in evenings and at weekends at particularly busy times.