Art Director Career Guide

What Does an Art Director Do?

Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions. They create the overall design and direct others who develop artwork or layouts. Art directors oversee the work of other designers and artists who produce images for television, film, live performances, advertisements, or video games. They determine the overall style in which a message is communicated visually to its audience. In advertising and PR, they ensure clients' messages are conveyed to consumers. In publishing, they oversee page layouts for catalogs, newspapers, and magazines, and choose cover art. In movie production, they collaborate with directors on set design and hire staff to complete the work. About 62% of art directors are self-employed, with others working in advertising/PR firms (10%), motion picture industries (3%), and specialized design services (2%). Most work in fast-paced office environments under pressure to meet strict deadlines.

Education & Requirements

• Typical Education: Bachelor's degree in fine arts, a design subject, or related field such as communications technology. Some earn an MFA to supplement work experience and demonstrate creative/managerial ability.
• Certifications: No formal certifications required. A strong portfolio demonstrating style and abilities is essential for getting hired.
• Key Skills: Communication skills, creativity, leadership abilities, resourcefulness to adapt to changing technology, time-management skills for balancing multiple projects and strict deadlines.
• Experience: Typically requires 5 or more years of work experience in a related occupation (graphic designer, fine artist, editor, photographer, or other art/design role) before becoming an art director.

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data):

• Median Annual Salary: $111,040 ($53.38/hour)
• Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,060
• Experienced (90th percentile): $211,410
• Top-Paying Industries: Motion picture and video industries ($133,650), Advertising/PR services ($108,810), Specialized design services ($103,230)
• Employment Distribution: 62% self-employed, 10% advertising/PR, 3% motion picture, 2% specialized design

Job Outlook & Growth

Employment of art directors is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 12,300 job openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire. Employment will grow from 135,000 jobs in 2024 to 140,700 by 2034, adding approximately 5,700 new positions. As traditional print publications lose ground to other media forms, art directors are shifting their focus to online advertising, video, and internet design. This shift is expected to sustain demand for art directors in the digital age.

How to Break Into This Field

1. Education: Earn a bachelor's degree in fine arts, graphic design, communications technology, or related field. Consider an MFA for advanced creative/managerial positions. Build a strong portfolio during your degree program.
2. Entry-Level Roles: Start as a graphic designer, fine artist, photographer, illustrator, copy editor, or in another art/design occupation. Art director is typically not an entry-level position.
3. Build Skills: Gain 5+ years of experience in art/design roles. Develop leadership abilities by managing small projects. Master design software and stay current with digital/online media trends. Continuously update your portfolio with diverse, high-quality work.
4. Network: Join professional associations like AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts), attend industry conferences and portfolio reviews, connect with creative directors on LinkedIn, participate in local creative meetups and design communities.
5. Apply Strategically: Target advertising agencies, PR firms, publishing houses, design studios, or entertainment companies. Showcase your portfolio on Behance, Dribbble, and your personal website. Use creative job boards like Coroflot, Authentic Jobs, and general sites like LinkedIn. Consider freelancing to build experience and client relationships.

Career Path & Advancement

Typical progression starts in an art/design role (graphic designer, photographer, fine artist) for 5+ years → Assistant Art Director → Art Director → Senior Art Director → Creative Director → Chief Creative Officer. Art directors can also specialize by industry (advertising, publishing, film/TV, gaming) or medium (print, digital, video). Some advance to producer or director roles in entertainment. Many experienced art directors transition to full-time freelancing or start their own creative agencies. Leadership track involves managing larger teams and bigger budgets, while individual contributors can focus on high-profile creative projects without management responsibilities.

Pros & Cons

Related Careers

If you're interested in art direction, you might also consider:

• Graphic Designers - Create visual concepts for print and digital media ($61,300 median)
• Special Effects Artists and Animators - Create images and visual effects for media ($99,800 median)
• Industrial Designers - Develop concepts for manufactured products combining art and engineering ($79,450 median)
• Fashion Designers - Create clothing, accessories, and footwear ($80,690 median)
• Writers and Authors - Develop written content for various media ($72,270 median)
• Photographers - Produce and preserve images using technical and creative expertise ($42,520 median)