How to become An Advertising Art Director

• Advertising Art Supervisor
• Creative Director

What do Advertising Art Directors do?

An Advertising Art Director would typically need to:

• Work on the campaign from the outset through skillful consolidation of details about the client, product, target audience, required advertising message
• Gain an understanding of the target audience and business that the advert is aimed at
• Work closely with the copywriter to generate creative ideas and concepts to fulfill the client’s brief
• Develop budgets and timelines
• Review and approve designs, artwork, photography, and graphics developed by other staff members
• Produce sketches, 'storyboards' (television), 'roughs', as well as 'scamps' (print) to communicate ideas to the client
• Meet with the creative director and account managers before pitching ideas to clients
• Brief other members of the creative team and commission photographers, Artists as well as film-makers to work on projects
• Visit and assess locations for potential shoots
• Work on location, at production houses in meetings with other directors, and in editing suites to oversee the finished product
• Be very exact and complete in their work since errors in type size, color, or picture size can be expensive to fix and may ruin the look of the project
• Stick to budget and timeline estimates while proving they are pros in selecting and working with teams
• Advise new creatives, review their books, manage new teams on placement with the agency

Advertising Art Directors usually work in a fast-paced office environment. They have a high level of social interaction. They constantly work with customers and creative staff and communicate daily with customers and coworkers by phone, email, and in person. They write letters and memos weekly. Some out-of-office work may be needed, on location, for example, or to meet with clients, which may involve a certain amount of travel. Many of the larger agencies are based in major cities. The dress code varies, depending on the employer or agency, but is generally relaxed.

Working hours are generally 9 am to 5 pm. They often work under pressure in the evenings and over weekends to meet strict deadlines and specific needs, e.g. being on location at a certain time.

Established Advertising Art Directors may opt to work on a freelance basis, depending on their reputation and access to viable contacts within the industry. Those who wish to be employed will find jobs advertised on the websites of specialist recruitment agencies. Employment opportunities overseas are also a possibility.

Advertising Art Directors are generally employed by:

• Advertising Agencies
• Public Relations Companies
• Publishing Houses
• Motion Picture & Video Companies
• Specialized Design Services

Professional associations and organizations are a key resource for those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks great on your Resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications.

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• Registered Nurses generally work any of three shifts: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. / 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. / 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Some may work 10- to 12-hour shifts while others choose to work part-time. There is increasing scope for a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work schedule in school, community, and specialist clinics as well as in industry and commerce. Registered Nurses usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week.
• Most Registered Nurses work in facilities that are clean and well lighted and where the temperature is controlled, although some work in rundown inner-city hospitals in less-than-ideal conditions

Depending on the industry, you may have worked five years or more as a graphic designer, fine artist, editor, photographer before becoming an Art director. Work experience in Art or design occupations develops an Advertising Art Director’s ability to visually communicate to a specific audience creatively and effectively.

Relevant experience is essential in getting your first creative job and potential employers will expect to see a portfolio of your work and ideas. It's advisable to team up with a copywriter to produce your portfolio, so that employers can see finished concepts, rather than just your visual ideas.

Developing a portfolio—a collection of your work that demonstrates your style and abilities—is essential. Managers, clients, and others look at artists’ portfolios when they are deciding whether to hire an employee or contract for an Art project.

Advertising Art Directors need at least a bachelor’s degree in advertising and marketing, advertising design, fine Arts, graphic design, or illustration. A postgraduate qualification is not essential, but if you have an unrelated first degree a relevant postgraduate course may help to give you some experience in the area and help you build contacts. Some Advertising Art Directors invest in a master of fine Arts (MFA) degree to supplement their work experience and show their creative or managerial ability.

For an entry-level job in Art or graphic design, certification from a community college program or professional association can be a career-starter.

Get certified in an Art specialty other than your own to provide the credentials you need to transfer to, or head up to other creative operations. A certificate in film-making might qualify an Art director specializing in graphic design for the top slot in a film department.

Earn a business or technology certificate. Business certification can broaden your managerial experience, and for less than the cost of an MBA. A technology certificate program can introduce you to state-of-the-Art techniques in design and other Art forms.

Take a state-issued Art exam. Passing a state exam is a nonacademic form of certification. Enroll in a master’s level certificate program if you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Certificates that complement your education level showcase career advancement in a specialty.

Entry-level Advertising Art Directors team up with a copywriter to form a junior creative team that works on lesser campaigns while gaining valuable experience, building up their portfolio, and working on a variety of brands.

Tenacity, confidence in your ideas, and being an enthusiastic team player are essential if you wish to progress to be a middleweight Art Director. This may take four years - or less, if you win awards or work on pArticularly successful campaigns.

From being a middleweight, you can rise to a senior creative position, and then, if you are successful, you could become a Creative Director. Not all creative agencies have executive creative directors, but the role exists in large global agencies.

Many advertising agencies now provide an integrated service to clients. Career development very much depends on your ability to think conceptually and produce ideas that translate across multimedia platforms. It is important you understand the possibilities that are offered by the internet and mobile platforms as well as traditional media.

Freelance work is available but may be insecure unless you are well established. It may be possible to specialize in your field, by focusing on areas such as trade or recruitment. As a senior creative you could set up your own agency. You could also move across into directing adverts, television, or cinema.

Strong competition for jobs is expected as many talented designers and artists seek to move into Art director positions. Prospective Art directors with a strong understanding of creating intuitive, user-friendly designs will have better prospects working with interactive digital platforms.

Workers with a good portfolio that demonstrates the robust visual design and conceptual work across all multimedia platforms will have the best prospects. Employers sometimes recruit creative teams rather than individuals, so if you can establish a good working relationship with a copywriter, this may be an excellent first step. Agencies favor people with big ideas, enthusiasm, and a 'can-do' attitude.

The Advertising industry is constantly evolving, so it is crucial to stay up to date with industry trends. Attending exhibitions and conferences, and reading trade publications can help you keep abreast of new developments.

Professional organizations offer career planning tools and continuing professional development (CPD) in the form of one-to-one coaching, intensive training courses, mentoring, series of workshops throughout the year with some sessions aimed at creatives who need a creative partner.

Training is often on the job. You will be expected to develop your skills as you work. Some large agencies may offer structured training programs in the form of in-house courses. New creatives who have been in the role for up to one year will have access to external courses that qualify them for a foundation certificate.

Advertising 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. Teaming Up with a Copywriter Usually, you will work alongside a copywriter to form a creative team. Traditionally, the copywriter produces the words to go with visuals created by the Advertising Art Director. The division between the two roles is increasingly blurred, and both will likely have an input into the visual and written content of the advertising campaign. Get a Start - Ask for a “Book Crit” It may take a lot of time to get your first job - to establish your team, build a portfolio, and complete several placements within different agencies. You could start by contacting professional creative teams and asking for a 'book crit' - a session of feedback on your work. This may be disheartening as it can be difficult to arrange meetings with busy professional creatives, but persistence will win the day. Portfolio vs. Certification A top-notch portfolio “speaks for itself" in the Advertising industry. But in a government-sponsored Arts program, certification can give you an edge in competing for managerial Art jobs in the public sector. Independent Decision-Making Advertising Art Directors set most of their tasks and goals. They rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision. They make personnel and design decisions that affect other people and their companies. What’s Great About the Career As an Advertising Art Director with a creative agency, you will have a golden opportunity to build strong friendships with colleagues, work hard and play hard, and learn all the tricks of the trade. You will find an agency that fits your personality, focuses on your creative projects, access a relatively safe job and a steady income, advanced in a meteoric manner, wear what you want, and network. Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs. Full-Time Employment Being a freelancer offers freedom regarding flexible schedules, working hours, and location. Freelance Advertising Art Directors have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients. On the flip side, lack of stability and security is just as much a possibility as unlimited earning potential. Freelancing spells out increased responsibility, effort, and risk. Self-employment tax may become the bitter reality just as paid holidays, sick/maternity/paternity leave, and eligibility for employment benefits turn into distant dreams.

An Advertising Art Director who chooses to be a full-time employee has access to company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Boredom compounded by the inability to pursue passion projects due to lack of time or effort, lack of flexibility, and lack of ownership. Lack of variety and the need to allocate extra money for commuting and attire weigh against full-time employment.

Advertising Art Directors get paid huge salaries to do stuff like watch all six Star Wars episodes while at the office to prepare for a Verizon brief with a Star Wars tie-in. How awesome is that?

They are lovers of type & color, of design & form, of white space & balance! They are fighters: the vast empty age which mocks them every time is their friend & foe; each day, they rise to attack & conquer it with constantly evolving shapes and forms and ideas! They cannot stop imagining, dreaming, thinking, climbing higher on a ladder that they build up and climb simultaneously! They are Art directors!

Don’t get trapped in a bubble. Creative exploration is one of the benefits of this industry, so get out there and do different things differently. Be confident with feedback. Remember, it’s all about teamwork - recognize the talent in those around you and get the best from them!