Art Director
Oversee the creation and implementation of an overall artistic style of a product or production
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Job growth
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5-year projection
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Salary
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Typical salary
Job growth
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5-year projection
Job satisfaction
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What's it like to be an Art Director?
Art Directors work in a variety of industries such as advertising agencies, public relations firms, or book, magazine, or newspaper publishers to create the overall visual style, layout or product packaging. Alternatively, they may work with Producers and Directors of theatre, television, or movie productions to oversee set designs.
Tasks and duties
- Determining how best to represent a concept visually.
- Liaising with clients to determine the desired artistic approach and style.
- Developing the overall look or style of an advertising campaign, book, magazine or newspaper, theatre, television or film set.
- Deciding on which photographs, art, or other design elements to use.
- Supervising creative staff, such as photographers, writers and editors.
- Reviewing and approving designs, artwork, photography, and graphics.
- Developing detailed budgets and timelines.
- Presenting designs to clients for approval.
Art Directors typically set the overall artistic style for each project, and oversee a staff of Designers, Artists, Photographers, Writers, or Editors who are responsible for creating the individual works that collectively make up the completed product.
How to become an Art Director
To become an Art Director a qualification in design or graphic design may be an advantage. You will need to be adept at such programs as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and other similar design software. These programs allow Art Directors to edit photos and create graphics.
- Consider completing a Bachelor degree in Design or Graphic Design.
- Develop a professional looking portfolio showcasing your work, such as sample ad campaigns or showcasing your style of art direction. A portfolio which demonstrates strong visual design and conceptual work across all multimedia platforms will have the best prospects.
- Spend some time in junior positions such as Designer or Assistant Art Director, Graphic Designer, Fine Artist, Editor, or Photographer, to acquire related experience. Advertising agencies usually ask for at least three years' experience.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Art Directors.
Latest Art Director jobs on SEEK
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Art Director employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas.
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Art Director reviews
May 2021
Reviewer's Qualification
Postgraduate Diploma of Fine Arts
Experience
10+ years
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Publications
The good things
The role of art director is very broad, it can be in an advertising or media agency. I specialised as art director in publications (media & magazines) a long time ago. As a media art director, I enjoy...
The challenges
The problem with working in this industry, is that print media is in fast decline with the emergence of new technologies. Like many more in this field, I have seen my working hours reduced post-covid....
Read more
Aug 2023
Reviewer's Qualification
Bachelor of Communication Design
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
The good things
The good things.
If you're you're passionate about conceptualising and designing it's a great role to be creative. You can find fulfilment in projects that can make a positive impact in society.
The challenges
The challenges.
Sometimes it's often the work can get stressful and would need to work longer hours than usual. Especially with client work.
Read more
Source: SEEK role reviews
SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through seek.com.au
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