OVERVIEW
What is an Art Director?
An art director guides creative design work. The specific kind of work that art directors oversee can vary. For example, a video game art director might be tasked with developing the artistic vision for a game, including the animation style and character design. Conversely, an art director of a tech company may be more involved in managing digital ads or a website’s visual style.
In most cases, art directors lead a team of designers in creative production. A unique challenge of art directors is to recognize the unique strengths of each designer and help them create work that’s both compelling and on brand.
The best art directors think through visual presentation with the user in mind. They ask themselves, “How would a potential customer or user connect with this piece, and would it engage them or incite them to action?” Art directors also have a solid understanding of how written copy complements design. Since the words themselves are often part of the design, art directors need to consider both text and image as they relate to the visual impact of a given asset.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an Art Director Do?
Art directors take on several different roles. Often prioritizing many projects at once, an art director should be able to manage busy workdays. Some of their tasks include the following:
- Concepting. Art directors work with production designers, user experience (UX) designers, set designers, and copywriters to develop a clear concept and creative vision for a project or campaign.
- Producing sketches, storyboards, and comps. Also called a “comprehensive layout,” a “comp” is a rough wireframe or first-pass take on a concept. It serves to give a general format and sense of direction to copywriters and designers. Sketches and storyboards may also be necessary, particularly when video assets are involved.
- Understanding and articulating strategy. Art directors play a key role in ensuring a project remains aligned with the strategic vision of creative directors, marketing executives, and other relevant stakeholders. Marketing initiatives, industry positioning, and target audiences should all be considered and communicated clearly to everyone involved in a project.
- Collaborating with others. Art directors help their creative teams to produce various assets ranging from social media and billboard ads to web pages.
- Meeting deadlines. Art directors must ensure that design work is high in quality and delivered on time all the way from conception to execution.
- Delegating and directing team members. No matter the type of project, art directors should be comfortable delegating tasks to—and directing—designers to ensure that workloads are distributed evenly.
- Presenting briefs. It is essential for art directors to hone their presentation skills since they may regularly present creative briefs and pitch concepts to stakeholders or clients.
- Staying sharp on best design practices. Design trends and software evolve rapidly. Successful art directors are aware of the latest tools and standards and draw from the best art direction and design principles to inspire their target audiences.
Where Does an Art Director Work?
Art directors can work in any setting that requires someone to guide art and design. They’re often needed in advertising agencies, but can also work at public relations firms, for magazines or newspapers, and for companies in virtually any industry.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an Art Director?
To become an art director, you’ll need some specific training. Here’s how to start your journey:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. You may consider pursuing a degree in art, graphic design, or UX design.
- Consider earning a master’s degree. As an art director, you’ll be managing people and projects. This makes a master's in management and leadership or an MBA degree a valuable option, especially for soft-skill development. A master’s in graphic design may grant you numerous advanced hard skills needed for success.
- Gain work experience. It is never too early to start learning what it’s like to be an art director. You might shadow one to get a feel for what the day-to-day job entails. Alternatively, you could intern or attain an entry-level position to begin working as a graphic designer. There’s no better way to improve your art and design skills than working on your craft daily. To prepare for a role as an art director, aim to gain at least five years of professional experience under your belt.
- Apply for art director jobs. Find jobs that interest you and apply for them. Trust in your credentials and experience—and keep pushing until you find what you’re looking for. Remember to polish your résumé and optimize your portfolio as you go.
Best Degrees for a Art Director
Business
Marketing – B.S.
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:...
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:
- Time: 60% of graduates finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Communication
- Marketing
- Sales
- Management
- Project Management
- Product Management
Marketing is a creative and exciting field—and one where an undergraduate degree will open better opportunities.
Business
Management and Leadership – M.S.
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and...
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and leading teams:
- Time: 60% of graduates can finish in 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that this program will teach you:
- Leadership
- Management
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Performance Management
- Planning
Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Business
User Experience Design – B.S.
An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become...
An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become business-savvy designers that can generate best-in-class, customer-centric products and services.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Wireframing and Prototyping
- Artificial Intelligence
- Accessible Design
- Figma Design Software
- UI/UX Research
- User Testing
- Adobe Express
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does an Art Director Make?
$106,500
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary in May 2023 for art directors was $106,500. The lowest 10% earned less than $60,440 while the highest 10% earned more than $209,800. Level of education, years of experience, and location factor into an art director’s annual salary.
What Is the Job Outlook for an Art Director?
6%
The BLS states that employment of art directors is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Around 13,800 openings for art directors are projected each year on average over the decade.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an Art Director Need?
Thriving as an art director depends on more than just technical design skills. Nurturing the proper soft skills and being a proficient collaborator is also key. Consider honing the following skills:
- Organization. An art director must be able to coordinate with stakeholders while maintaining the progress of multiple projects, which requires careful organization.
- Creativity. Art directors create. They must be able to design and execute rapidly, so having creative and critical thinking skills is crucial.
- Vision. It takes dedication to envision something and then bring it to life. An art director must be able to do both. These professionals work with purpose and never lose sight of creative and organizational goals as they guide projects and help realize them.
- Project management. A large part of an art director’s job is keeping projects moving. Time management and prioritization are crucial skills for art directors as they take the lead on projects.
- Understanding of graphic design. Art directors cannot mentor others or head design projects if they don’t have design chops themselves. Graphic design skills are prerequisites to becoming an art director.
- Ability to enforce creative standards. Art directors usually work with several graphic designers. These directors ensure that design conventions stay consistent and on brand regardless of who works on a project.
- Proficiency with illustration tools. Dedicated design software like Adobe Creative Suite is commonly used by art directors. Other important tools include Figma, Procreate, and Sketch.
- Desktop publishing skills. Art directors ensure that print and digital materials are formatted correctly before they’re published. Assets produced via desktop publishing include slide decks, posters, flyers, banner ads, and more.
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