How To Become An Art Director

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  • Art directors oversee the visual content in mass media, public relations, marketing and advertising and other fields. They are in charge of content such as pictures, photographs and graphic design. This page is a guide on how to become an art director.

  • Introduction

    Art directors manage photographers, graphic designers and other people that create visual content in areas such as mass media, PR and marketing. Art directors outline and oversee the visual content, while designers, photographers and others typically create the details.

  • Step 1: Choosing a Focus

    Before you start planning for a career as an art director, it's helpful to choose a field to focus on. While you can later change the field of focus, it's helpful to have some idea what to focus on in your education and training. The main field where art directors work are mass media, public relations, marketing, advertising and book publishing. The standards for visual content will differ in each of these.

  • Step 2: Education

    A degree is not necessary to become an art director, but many art directors have degrees from art schools. A degree from an art school can help you get a job and become successful in the field. It will also help you to develop necessary skills as well as an understanding for the job tasks of the people you will later manage. Basic understanding of graphic design is necessary to become an art director. It is also typically necessary to have an basic understanding of several major computer software programs in the field, such as Photoshop. An understanding of basic concepts of photography is also very useful.

  • Step 3: Experience

    Few art directors begin their career as art directors. Most of them work in related fields first to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of visual content, such as photography and graphic design. Some work experience in graphic design is helpful for anyone who want to become an art director, as graphic design in a basic element of most types of visual content. To gain experience, start by applying for an entry level position in graphic design or another related field. Since many art directors became promoted to their position, it's a good idea to start working for a company that offers the possibility of such an opportunity in the future.

  • Step 4: Finding a Job

    After you have the necessary education and experience, it's time to find a job as an art director. Some art directors work themselves up at a company and get promoted as an art director after working in a related field, such as graphic design. If this is an option for you, speak to the relevant supervisor when you feel you have the experience necessary to get promoted to an art director. If this is not an option at your company, create a portfolio of your work (if you haven't already) and start applying for jobs as an art director. The portfolio should include your best work. Today, most people have both a portfolio with copies or prints of their work and an online portfolio on the Web.

  • Conclusion

    To become an art director, develop the necessary skills and get experience in relevant fields first. When you believe you are qualified to become an art director, talk to a supervisor at your company about the possibility of getting promoted to an art director or start applying for jobs in the field.

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