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Art Directors

Art Directors is the O*NET name for people who formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. The strongest interest signal is Artistic (7.0 of 7), then Enterprising (5.2) and Conventional, which gives it the code AEC. The preparation level is considerable preparation, typically a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. O*NET’s skill data points to speaking, active listening, and reading comprehension as the ones to build. You may also need to work with creative directors to develop design solutions. It tends to suit people who want creative work with room for original expression, and it offers little for anyone seeking research, analysis and working through hard problems.

What they 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.

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You want room to make something in your own way.
  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You prefer clear instructions to open creative briefs.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code AEC takes the three highest, and Artistic comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Art Director
  • Art Supervisor
  • Creative Director (CD Director)
  • Creative Manager
  • Creative Services Director

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.