How to Become an Art Director in Advertising

Art directors set the visual tone for—and ultimately direct—all visual aspects of an ad campaign for a client. Though they usually report to the creative director, their managerial role involves overseeing the aesthetic vision of an advertisement. The work of an art director in advertising is similar to the art director job in any creative department that deals with marketing—including the motion picture industry, video games, television productions, public relations, and publishing.

Whether you’re a self-employed art director or working for an agency, your responsibilities will usually include directing the visual style and overall design of an ad—the artwork, background, and layout design. You’ll also come up with brand identities and oversee photo or video shoots related to the campaign. An art director’s job description also includes working with copywriters to conceptualize an advertisement strategy for clients and their brands.

Art directors develop a detailed budget for their clients, as well as potential timelines for how long the campaign may take. They are team players who are sensitive to others’ creative instincts while also guiding their staff in the right direction.

A good art director possesses a number of key qualities that contribute to their success. Along with leadership skills and project management skills, an art director should also have the following qualities:

1. 1. The ability to think strategically: Art directors provide the artistic approach to a clients’ desire, and their ultimate goal is to sell a product. Art directors have to envision and work in tandem with others to brainstorm a winning idea. They can draw from their years of experience, past campaigns, or learned knowledge to inform their contemporary strategies.
2. 2. Design experience: Having an eye for design elements and proper overall style is a necessary quality for an art director position. The art director is in charge of leading their team to create ad campaigns, so they must know what is possible given the clients’ budget, as well as which styles and colors are effective for an advertising strategy. They have likely worked in a creative capacity in a related field and can bring that know-how to their current job in order to get results.
3. 3. Communication skills: An art director should have solid communication skills, as they are responsible for supervising their design staff and directing others on their creative team. Art directors must know how to convey information in an efficient and understandable manner so that all the creative departments have a clear idea of what needs to be done. They must also cultivate a positive and open environment that allows their creative staff members to express new ideas and make contributions of their own.
4. 4. Time-management skills: An art director may work on multiple projects at once and encounter various differing priorities. Being able to balance them efficiently means ensuring the delivery of high-quality products while adhering to strict deadlines.

An art director usually needs a degree, a strong portfolio, and extensive work experience. If you’re looking to make art direction your career path, consider the following guidelines:

• Get the right education. A bachelor’s degree in marketing, graphic design, or a related field may be enough to land you a gig as an art director. Pursuing further education, like a Master of Fine Arts degree, can show employers you’re both thoroughly educated in your field and dedicated to the work.
• Work in a design occupation. Many art directors start out as illustrators, copyeditors, storyboard artists, graphic designers, or other positions in the fine arts field. Spending your time gathering experience will make you a more valuable asset to ad firms, as the more knowledgeable you are, the higher chance you can achieve success for clients.
• Create a portfolio. All potential employers are going to want to see what you’re capable of creating. Showcasing your design skills can give them an idea of the kind of worker you are and where your own skillsets lie. A portfolio of work samples will highlight your talents.

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