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Job Description: Art
Directors are most often employed in advertising and/or
marketing firms. Art Directors are responsible for understanding
the scope of a given project and then formulating design
concepts across multiple disciplines (graphics, writing,
editing, production, etc) and managing the subset of
employees that performes the duties. Art Directors may
be responsible for portions of the writing and design,
and have final approval before concepts are submitted
to the client.
Salary Range: The salary
range for art directors is $63,000 - $86,000, according
to the US Department of Labor, though compensation can
vary greatly by state (in New York state, for example,
there are a large concentration of advertising, marketing,
and publishing firms, which in turn means higher demand
for art directors.)
Education: For those
seeking employment in advertising and/or marketing,
degrees in Visual Communications are a prerequisite.
Art director is a senior level position, so many firms
require upwards of 5 years of demonstrable experience.
Related skills and knowledge include: graphic design,
copy writing/editing experience, page layout experience,
familiarity with design software and practices, and
critical-thinking skills.
Outlook: The US Department
of Labor predicts 11% growth between 2002 and 2012.
Personality Traits: First
and foremost, the art director is a team-leader. The
art director is responsible for the final product, and
must coordinate activities between the design staff,
photographers, writers, and production departments to
ensure that the final product is an effective solution
that meets the clients needs. Art directors must be
effective leaders with the ability to manage people,
multi-task, and manage time efficiently. The art director’s
most valuable asset is the ability to visualize the
completed product and guide his/her team to that goal.
Career Path: Graphic
Designer > Senior Designer > Art Director
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