Career Details

27-1011.00 - Art Directors

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.

Key Facts

Bright Outlook

Career Details

Green Job

Career Details

Current Employment

74,600

Estimate

Forecasted Employment

76,400

Estimate

Change in Employment

+1,800

Estimate

Change in Employment %

+2.4%

Estimate

Tasks

The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.

Core

Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
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.
Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.
Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.
Negotiate with printers and estimators to determine what services will be performed.
Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.

Supplemental

Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing.
Conceptualize and help design interfaces for multimedia games, products, and devices.
Prepare detailed storyboards showing sequence and timing of story development for television production.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.

Sales and Marketing

English Language

Communications and Media

Computers and Electronics

Design

Fine Arts

Customer and Personal Service

Administration and Management

Sociology and Anthropology

Clerical

Production and Processing

Telecommunications

Personnel and Human Resources

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Tools

The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Computers

Cameras

Drawing tools and supplies and accessories

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Technology

The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Content management software

Development software

Content authoring and editing software

Operating environment software

Information exchange software

Business function specific software

Industry specific software

Network applications software

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Certifications

FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward

The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.

Advanced

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Licensing

The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Related Programs

Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.

INSTITUTION

PROGRAMS

Bridgewater College

Programs

Digital Media Arts Major - BA

Bachelor of Arts

The Department of Art offers introductory and advanced courses in ceramics, design, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, videography and art history. All students, regardless of major, are welcome in art courses, as visual art is for and about everyone. The art department offers two majors. First, the traditional art major (studio focus) provides a concentrated hands-on experience that promotes deep learning in art and broad skill development across the college curriculum. Students majoring in art study a range of art media and processes while mastering at least one in depth. Flexibility is a crucial advantage of the art major's compact size, allowing and encouraging students to easily pursue second majors and minors in other disciplines. Second, the Art Department also offers a major in Digital Media Arts. While introducing the world to the iPad2 in March 2011, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs remarked, “Technology alone is not enough. It is technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities that yields the results that make our hearts sing.” Since the launch of Google (1998), Facebook (2004), Youtube (2005), Twitter (2006), iPhone (2008), and the iPad (2010), the need for experts in creating digital media content has dramatically increased. Today, we live in an age where nearly every type of organization needs employees who are skilled in the art of video production, photography, and web-design. The Digital Media Arts major teaches the theories and skills necessary for many of these types of careers. Students enrolled in this major often consider a second major in areas such as Professional Writing or Communication, Technology and Culture." The various art department programs support many student interests, including: Visual art as a personal interest and commitment Careers in teaching, visual communication and art Graduate study in art and design Study in art combined with career ambitions in other fields Experimenting with art for the first time

Brightpoint Community College

Programs

Emory & Henry University

Programs

Germanna Community College

Programs

Laurel Ridge Community College

Programs

Longwood University

Programs

Graphic and Animation Design BFA

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Longwood University's Graphic and Animation Design (GAND) program provides students with a rigorous and comprehensive four-year education in either Graphic Design, Animation, Simulation and Time-based Media, or Motion Design. Our primary mission is to prepare students to be able to think critically, communicate both visually and in writing, and to be able to engage in-and execute-a systematic approach to visual problem solving. This includes effective research and cross disciplinary problem solving methodologies, concept generation, concept development and critical analysis. Students are provided with a solid foundation in traditional and digital craft and tools skills. We promote exploration, the use of narrative and storytelling, organization, and visual information systems to be able to craft an appropriate message for a specific audience. The GAND program was developed around contemporary methods and practices, and encourages students to compete nationally in refereed competitions, and through real client interaction with the student-run agency Design Lab. The GAND program, in conjunction with an excellent liberal arts foundation and the program's emphasis on interdisciplinary electives, aims to graduate students with the skills and nimble thinking to excel in the marketplace of today and tomorrow. The Graphic and Animation Design BFA degree program is a four-year course of study in graphic, animation, and motion design. Therefore, a transfer student can expect to spend a minimum of three to three and a half years within the GAND program. A student planning to transfer to the Longwood's GAND program is encouraged to contact the Chair of the Department of Theatre, Art, and Graphic and Animation Design who will route them to the appropriate GAND faculty for questions about the student's transfer plans.

Northern Virginia Community College

Programs

Graphic Design, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

The curriculum is designed for individuals who seek full-time employment in the graphic design field. Job opportunities include graphic designer, art director, illustrator, production artist, package designer and web content developer, among others in the graphic design marketplace.

Graphic Design: Interactive Design Specialization, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

The curriculum is designed for individuals who seek full-time employment in the communication design profession. Upon completion, an individual would be prepared to work in the field of web-based interactive design including multimedia techniques specific to the web. Job opportunities include web designer, UX designer, web content developer and motion graphic designer, among others in the graphic design marketplace.

Visual Art, A.F.A.

Associate of Fine Arts

This studio-arts, portfolio-intensive curriculum is designed for students who seek transfer into a competitive Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program or similar baccalaureate program in either fine arts, graphic design, or photography at a college or university. Students work on a common foundation year of studio art courses and then select their concentration in either finearts, graphic design, or photography for their second year of study. NOTE that the graphic design concentration is offered at the Alexandria campus and Loudoun campuses and the photography concentration is offered at Alexandria campus and Woodbridge campus

Randolph-Macon College

Programs

Regent University

Programs

Roanoke College

Programs

Tidewater Community College

Programs

Associate of Applied Science - Graphic Design

Associate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Graphic Design teaches students how to design for communication. Students will learn design methods and processes to realize projects from conceptualization through production using industry standard design applications. Course content will investigate visual design as it applies to image making, composition, typography, logos, publications, motion, and interaction.

Graphic designers impact the function and visual appearance of messages and information. From physical collateral to digital screens and experiences, designers are tasked with developing specific visual languages for identity systems, marketing, advertising, publications, and digital environments. Designers use typography, photographs, illustrations, and graphic elements to construct messages with the intention of attracting attention and fulfilling a specific goal—to inform, persuade, educate or entertain.

Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts

Associate of Applied Arts

The Associate of Applied Arts (A.A.A.) degree in Studio Arts is designed for those entering or continuing in the field of visual arts, which may include the study of two- and three-dimensional design, photography, ceramics, glass, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. Students gain extensive studio experience, learning from masters in visual art media. Students are prepared for employment in museums, art centers, galleries, and similar areas; they are also prepared for owning a business in the arts or for personal enrichment in one or more areas of the visual arts.

Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Photographic Media Arts)

Associate of Applied Arts

The Specialization in Photographic Media Arts provides students with instruction in current photographic technology, video and related media. Students are provided an opportunity to tell stories, capture moments and communicate through the use of visual images. Students will be introduced to composition, lighting techniques and a variety of camera equipment, hardware and software necessary for the capture, imaging and output of photographic projects. Students will be introduced to techniques and best practices regarding ideation, creative processes and visual problem solving, a skill set mandatory for the highly competitive field of photography. Graduates are prepared for jobs in the photography industry, to include agency photographer, photographer's assistant, freelance photographer, fine art photographer, and art center educators.

Virginia Commonwealth University

Programs

Virginia Peninsula Community College

Programs

Virginia Western Community College

Programs