Art Directors

Also Called: Art Director, Creative Director, Production Manager, Senior Art Director

Bachelor's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$60,440

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Art Directors do

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.

  • Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
  • 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.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Automotive & Machine Repair • Information Technology

Training Program Areas:

Drafting • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • OCT-Only Information Technology • Visual Communications

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Time Pressure
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Spend Time Sitting

Tools

  • Charcoal pencils
  • Notebook computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital camcorders or video cameras
  • Desktop computers

Technology

Web platform development software
AJAX
Cascading Style Sheets CSS
Video creation and editing software
Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
YouTube
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Time Management
  • Complex Problem Solving

Knowledge

Business
sales and marketing
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture
Communications
multimedia
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics

Education

  • 74% Bachelor's degree
  • 17% Master's degree
  • 9% Associate's degree

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Actors

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, & Illustrators

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Camera Operators, Television, Video, & Film

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Art Directors Currently Selected

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX

  • Adrian College

    Adrian, MI

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Artistic (Creator)
    • Enterprising (Persuader)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Innovation
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Initiative

Values

  • Independence
  • Achievement
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Art Directors across the country typically make.

$29.06 / hour
$60,440 /year

Entry Level

$51.20 / hour
$106,500 /year

Median Level

$100.87 / hour
$209,800 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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