Art Directors

27-1011.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

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.
• Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
• Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.
• Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
• Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
• Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.
• Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.
• 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.
• Negotiate with printers and estimators to determine what services will be performed.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Data visualization software
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk 3ds Max Design; Computer assisted design software
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe InDesign ; Quark enterprise publishing software; QuarkXPress
• Development environment software - Adobe ActionScript
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Graphical user interface development software - Figma
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software ; Adobe Illustrator ; Adobe ImageReady; Adobe Photoshop ; Autodesk Maya
• Internet browser software - Web broswer software
• Mobile operator specific application software - Mag+; Mobile application software; Tablet application software
• Network conferencing software - Atlassian Confluence 🔥
• Object or component oriented development software - jQuery 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Apple macOS 🔥
• Presentation software - Apple iWork Keynote; Apple Keynote; Google Slides; Microsoft PowerPoint
• Program testing software - User interface design software
• Project management software - Atlassian JIRA 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Video creation and editing software - Adobe After Effects ; Adobe Director; Adobe Premiere Pro; Apple Final Cut Pro; Maxon Cinema 4D; WeVideo; YouTube
• Web page creation and editing software - Adobe Dreamweaver; Facebook 🔥; Social media software; WordPress 🔥
• Web platform development software - AJAX 🔥; Apache Flex; Cascading style sheets CSS 🔥; Drupal 🔥; Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML; Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML; Hypertext markup language HTML 🔥; JavaScript 🔥; PHP 🔥; WoodWing
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
• Present work to clients for approval.
• Manage operations of artistic or entertainment departments or organizations.
• Coordinate artistic activities.
• Confer with clients to determine needs.
• Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
• Design layout of art or product exhibits, displays, or promotional materials.
• Review art or design materials.
• Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
• Train others on work processes.
• Coordinate design activities.
• Select staff, team members, or performers.
• Research new technologies.
• Design layouts for print publications.
• Write informational material.
• Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
• Prepare production storyboards.
• Negotiate for services.