An Art Director's Job: Behind the Scenes

What is an Art Director?

Art directors.

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It’s possible you run across this fascinating job title every day, either during your workday while collaborating with other companies or maybe through a quick glance at the credits of a TV program, movie, or magazine.

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The title is somewhat descriptive, so you may have a hunch about what they do for a living, but …

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What is an art director exactly?

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Today’s blog has all the answers you need! 

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Whether you’re just curious about the role or you want to learn more to create a position within your own company, we’re taking you through a day in the life of an art director to fill you in on what an art director does every day!

The Vital Role of Art Direction

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To begin with, an art director is a role most often found in creative fields where visual elements take center stage and can make or break a product.

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Art direction jobs will vary by company, but its core responsibilities revolve around generating innovative concepts and delivering a captivating visual message to readers, viewers, or users in their company’s target audience. 

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The art director often works as a team with other creatives including copywriters, video editors, animators, graphic designers, web designers, and more on various projects within their respective industries.

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A good art director excels at collaboration and is always open to the inspiration, ideas, and expertise of the people around them. They’ll do everything they can to establish quality standards and enhance the visuals of the products their company is putting out into the world!

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Here is a little more about some industries where you’re likely to run into one of these special people!

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Marketing and Advertising

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In the dynamic and non-stop world of marketing and advertising, art directors are the visionaries who make sure that campaigns are leaving the impact desired and grabbing the attention of a brand’s target audience!

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They lead creative team members made up of copywriters, designers, video editors, and more to craft visually appealing and eye-catching marketing materials that align with the target audience and are perfectly on brand with the company producing them. 

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Some examples of projects that require art direction are:

• Digital Ads—Art directors oversee the creation of digital ad assets like web banners, videos, social media ads, display ads, and more to ensure that all online content is up to standard, resonating with the target audience, and aligned with the company's brand identity.
• Print Advertising—An art director’s watchful eye also extends to printed collateral like magazines, newspapers, brochures, catalogs, and more. They decide on the overall look and details like typography, color palette, and visual style to create sleek and elegant printed collateral that showcases a brand’s products.
• TV Commercials—If you see a commercial on TV, odds are that an art director was on set, working closely with directors, cinematographers, and set designers to ensure that every frame was visually appealing and on point for the product being sold. 
• Package Design—Art directors work closely with the graphic design team to craft creative and eye-catching labels and packaging that will catch the eye of wandering customers and move products off the shelf.
• Billboards—Every billboard you see on your commute has an art director closely involved with its creation. This ensures that the visuals make the desired impact and can grab attention even at a distance.
• Photoshoots—Whether the photos are for a fashion magazine or a brand catalog, art directors are in charge of every detail, from lighting to backgrounds to wardrobe, to ensure that all visual elements make the right statement.‍
• Social media content—Consistency is key on social media, and an art director helps maintain a cohesive look and feel across a brand’s social media platforms.

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Publication

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Suppose you want your target audience to read your print and publications. In that case, they’re going to have to capture attention and keep it with compelling design and strategically placed copy and visuals.

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Art directors work closely with photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, copywriters, and other team members and make final decisions about layout, graphics, and the overall look and feel of a publication to keep it aesthetically pleasing and reader-friendly.

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Art directors are crucial for the overall look of publications like:

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• Magazines — Art directors oversee the design of magazine layouts, including the all-important covers, article spreads, and other visual elements to tailor it to the messaging of whatever magazine industry, including fashion, beauty, real estate, architecture, art, or science.
• Book Covers — The art director is also responsible for overseeing the design of book covers that perfectly capture the essence of a book and attract readers. They make decisions on color palettes, typography, imagery, and more.
• Newspapers—Newspapers are still around! The art director is responsible for strategically placing headlines, images, and articles to keep the paper visually engaging and easy to navigate.
• Educational Material—Everything from school textbooks to educational posters and displays to education brochures has an art director on staff to keep the content fresh and stimulate learners' interests!
• Professional Publications — Corporate reports, science reports, technology reports, and more all go through the art director to make decisions on the layout that makes intricate information more comprehensible to readers.

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Interior Design

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Art directors are also instrumental in creating stunning, beautiful, and functional spaces in places you may have visited.

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They work with architects and designers to bring interior design concepts to life to create comfortable environments for customers, employees, guests, and visitors.

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Here are some spaces where an art director may have been in charge of creating:

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• Restaurants—An inviting atmosphere is important for establishments that want to encourage people to spend their leisure time with them. An art director designs the interior of restaurants, including colors, flooring, decorations, and more.
• Hotels—A beautifully decorated hotel encourages guests to stay. An art director works with a team of interior designers to ensure that everything from the lobby to the conference rooms is stylish and welcoming.
• Retail — The right look and layout can attract and engage customers. An art director has a say in the interior design of a store, often by season, to create a memorable and unique shopping experience for their customers.
• Offices and Facilities fancy office building, you probably have an art director to thank for the layout, lighting, and color schemes. Everything from healthcare facilities to corporate buildings was designed to be visually pleasing.
• Public Spaces—Art directors play an important role in designing public spaces such as museums, schools, universities, galleries, community centers, and event venues, making sure they are visually appealing and draw in a crowd.
• Wellness — That relaxing vibe of your favorite spa? You have an art director and a team of interior designers to thank. They work together to create a tranquil atmosphere from the moment you walk into the lobby.

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Entertainment

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In the entertainment industry, a good art director is a valuable team member who contributes heavily to visual storytelling.

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They work closely with directors, set designers, production designers, and costume designers to ensure all visuals are spot-on and align with the narrative. 

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If you’ve ever experienced the following, you probably noticed a credit for an art director included in the fine print!

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• Film, TV, and Theater — Art directors are essential for creating the look and feel of a production. They collaborate with directors, production designers, set decorators, and stage designers to oversee the set construction and ensure all visual elements align with the director’s vision. They also make decisions regarding props, colors, lighting, and overall visual aesthetics. Whether it’s a summer blockbuster, a music video on MTV, or a Broadway musical, the art director plays a key role in achieving the final product's look.
• Fashion Shows—Art directors in the fashion industry spend countless hours creating the visual design for the themes and backdrops of runway shows and other fashion presentations. They work with set designers and others to create the perfect stage design, lighting, and choreography.
• Video Games —  An art director is heavily involved in the visual style of the video games we love to place. They work with a team of artists and designers to create the look of characters, environments, and user interface to better align with the game’s mood and enhance the player experience.
• Live Events—An art director's job is to ensure that the visual aspects of live events, such as concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and more, have the best stage design, lighting, and multimedia presentations. 
• Attractions — If you’ve marveled at the attraction design of theme parks like Disneyland or Universal Studios, that’s because an art director helped to create the look and feel of everything from the rides to the gift shops to the storefronts that line each street.

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How Much Do Art Directors Make?

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Art direction isn’t just creatively fulfilling — it can also be financially rewarding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for art directors in 2024 was around $111,000. However, that number can vary depending on factors like experience level, industry, and location.

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Here’s a quick snapshot of annual art director salaries across different industries:

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• Advertising and PR: ~$120,000
  Motion picture and video industries: ~$110,000
• Publishing: ~$95,000
• Specialized design services: ~$85,000
  
  

Entry-level roles may start closer to $60,000–$70,000, while seasoned professionals leading large creative teams in major markets can earn upwards of $150,000+.

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What Kind of Growth Do Art Directors Have?

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While creative fields can be competitive, the demand for skilled art directors is still strong as ever. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% growth in art director jobs from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

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So, what’s driving that growth? A few things, including:

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• The ongoing need for digital and video content across platforms
• Expanding marketing efforts across emerging media
• Increased investment in branding and storytelling by companies across all industries
  
  

As the world becomes more visual and experience-driven, companies are leaning more on art directors to lead creative strategy and deliver scroll-stopping, eye-catching visuals.

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Why Your Marketing Campaign Needs an Art Director

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There should be no question that an art director plays a pivotal role in the visual aspects of many things we enjoy daily.

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And if you’re a marketer who’s been wondering if you do need an art director in charge of your content creation team, then we’re here to tell you that yes. Yes, you do.

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Here are some things that an art director can bring to your team:

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Consistent Branding

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Your art director is in charge of setting the bar line for the creative team. They have the work experience necessary to know the quality of content they’re looking for and won’t settle for anything less than a polished and professional look.

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They’ll follow your brand guidelines and keep all of your collateral and messaging consistent, helping your brand create and maintain a unique identity. 

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If your brand doesn’t have a brand guidebook, they can oversee the creation of these important guidelines to ensure consistency.

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Successful Campaigns

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The art director is also key to a successful marketing or advertising campaign. 

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They carefully study the brands they work with and shape the creative vision of their marketing and advertising campaigns to perfectly align with the brand’s long-term goals.

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They also help keep marketing campaigns within the client’s budgets by ensuring that the creative team is cost-effective and uses resources wisely. They are important people to have on the team!

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A Strong Online Presence

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Everything is digital these days, so it’s crucial that your brand has a strong online presence with websites, social media, and landing pages.

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An art director oversees the web designing process to ensure that your websites and landing pages are effective, persuasive, and give your customer an excellent user experience.

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They also oversee email campaigns, ensuring that the email templates are appealing, easy to navigate, and contain the right messaging. They are experienced with social media marketing and can oversee a creative team in charge of creating and distributing engaging and valuable social media content to attract new followers and build a community around your brand.

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Top-Notch Print and Collateral

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We mentioned a little earlier that the art director plays an important role in creating the physical print collateral a brand distributes, such as brochures, flyers, OOH advertising (bus stops, billboards, displays, etc.), and other promotional materials.

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They’ll keep your collateral looking sharp and make sure your printed assets are on brand and appealing and have perfect layout, typography, color palette, graphic elements, illustrations, and photography before sending them off to the printers.

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Effective Collaboration with Creative Teams

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The art director is also a team player.

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They work with creatives, such as copywriters, designers, and photographers, to ensure that content creation is on brand and of the highest quality. 

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They’re also responsible for your creative team’s time management. They assign tasks, set deadlines, and ensure the team has a clear understanding of objectives and responsibilities.

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In addition to keeping the creative team producing quality content, the art director acts as a leader and mentor, providing guidance, feedback, and support throughout the project, often acting as the go-between for creatives and chief creative officers. 

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They foster a collaborative and inspiring work environment, encourage open communication, and promote exchanging ideas and feedback among the team to keep the creative juices flowing and everyone working together in harmony.

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Project Management

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One of the most important aspects of your marketing and advertising art director is project management.

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Art directors often manage multiple marketing projects at once, tracking deadlines and keeping everything and everyone on schedule. They also help with budgets and timelines to keep the project and the team running smoothly and efficiently.

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They oversee all parts of the content production process, from copywriters to web developers and printers, to ensure that the final product matches the artistic, visual, and quality standards they set for their work.

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Looking for That Special Someone?

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If you’ve now decided that your brand could use the skills and expertise of an art director, only you can’t afford one, then we’re right there with you.

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Art directors are skilled professionals with extensive work experience and talent. However, if your business is small, hiring one and paying the average US salary of $145,000 plus benefits a year might not be feasible.

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There is another solution though.

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Designity comprises the top 3% of US-based talent, and partnering with us gives you access to every type of creative expert you can think of, from copywriters to designers to video editors, all of them working under the close guidance and expertise of your designated Creative Directors.

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Much like art directors, your Creative Director is responsible for the overall creative direction of your marketing campaigns. He will oversee the creation of market assets like web pages, print collateral, digital ads, and anything else your campaign needs.

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They’ll work closely with you to ensure that all deliverables are of the highest quality and reflect the brand image you want your target audience to see.

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And with three straightforward plans to choose from, you’ll get all of these services for much less than it would take to hire on an in-house team or art director.

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So, if you’re ready to see what our Creative Directors can do for your brand, then why not give us a try?

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Please review our portfolio, determine whether we’re a match, and then book your demo call today.

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Are you ready to elevate your creative marketing game?