Art Directors

What the job really is

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-1011
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
• Present final layouts to clients for approval.
• Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
• Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
• Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
• Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
• Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
• Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.
• Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
• Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
• Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.
• Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.

Tools and technology

AJAX, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Apple macOS, Atlassian Confluence, Atlassian JIRA, Cascading style sheets CSS, Facebook

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Graphic Designers
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
• Producers and Directors
• Project Management Specialists
• Writers and Authors
• Set and Exhibit Designers
• Media Programming Directors
• Media Technical Directors/Managers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Art Directors — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.