Art Director

Explore This Path

Shape visual storytelling in media, from print to film, with creative leadership.
Drive impactful design projects, balancing creativity with budget and deadlines.
Collaborate with diverse teams to bring innovative visual concepts to life.

💰 Earn $100K-$175K

📚 Bachelor Degree

⏱️ 24–48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 5.2% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll 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.
Present final layouts to clients for approval.
Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Bachelor Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

2 to 4 years

Job Openings

11,700 Annually

Median Earnings

$130,610 in California

$106,500 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Art Director? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@vestique

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Being creative or artistic
Influencing or leading others

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Job security

Deep Dive

Art Director

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years