Art Director

An Art director’s job is to oversee the artistic design of printed materials, advertisements, and even the filming of television commercials. They are responsible for the quality of the finished product, and make all of the big decisions. Art directors hire photographers, illustrators, and models, as well as choose any props necessary for the advertisement. In advertising, the art director is also part of the creative team responsible for developing the concept. They work with the copywriter and determine how the ad will look and what it will say.

Prospective art directors should begin in high school by taking courses in art, mechanical drafting, and photography. They also should work on putting together a portfolio of their best work. A full, clean driving license is also required to be an art director post-secondary educational program at a two-year college, four-year college, or special art school is recommended. Some two-year colleges offer basic courses in layout and paste-up. Four-year colleges offer bachelor's degrees in fine arts. Many art schools across the country offer training in graphic design, including courses in design, layout, photography, and typography.

Key skills needed include good eye for detail, ability to conceptualize ideas, ability to think visually, ability to lead a team, ability to see the big picture, diplomacy and sensitivity when working with artists and co-workers, and knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures. The average salary for an art director is $65,000. Average art director salaries can vary greatly due to location, industry, economy, company, experience and benefits.

Those who attend an art school usually get help from the school in finding a job. Job openings are also listed in the classified ads in the newspaper and on the internet. Employers decide who to hire based on the talent and skills presented in an applicant’s portfolio. There were 78,000 art directors working in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The great majority of these worked for ad agencies.

A successful art director may become an art supervisor who manages other art directors on an account or a group leader who supervises the artwork for a group of accounts. Art directors may also become creative directors, vice president, or the president of an advertising agency. The advertising and publishing industry both reflect the ups and downs of the economy. Competition in this field is intense, but employment is expected to grow at an average rate through the year 2014.