Art Directors - advice
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- mrming
To all the Art Directors out there. What age were you when you started? How did you get into it? Did you climb up through the ranks (Designer, Senior Designer etc.)? What advice would you give to someone who wants to be an Art Director? Thanks in advance :)
- fake_it_up0
21 years old
intern -> jr designer ->designer -> art director....
- mrming0
You're 21 now or you were 21 when you started out? I sure hope it's the latter or I'll be sick as a dog! ;)
- MrDinky0
depending on how big the agency is i think.
my AD is 22.
age range where i work = 29-39
- mrming0
Would you say that it's a job which is distinct from that of a designer, or that it's a natural progression for a designer?
- Bottlerocket0
Depends on the agemcy. AD is just a title for someone senior is some design studioes. In an ad agency, it's a different thing all together. IN some DM agencies I have worked, they usually have a copywriter and an AD working togther to come up concepts that is then shipped to the art dept or in some cases the design dept, to be worked up.
It's also a bit different with digital arms of traditional ad agencies.
- vespa0
i dont really understand the difference between senior designer and art director. i was an art director at my last place at 25, but now i'm just a middleweight. my work is way better now, so i don't really put much value on titles.
i'd say the only difference between middleweight and senior/AD is that you have to be able to get the best out of other people rather than just yourself. and you have to go to lots of meetings.
- MrDinky0
bottlerocket is on the ball
- mrming0
OK thanks guys - so it's not very clear cut really and I'll just have to examine each job on it's merits... :)
- MLP0
OK thanks guys - so it's not very clear cut really and I'll just have to examine each job on it's merits... :)
mrming
(Jul 12 05, 06:55)
--------------------------------Sounds about right.
- MLP0
OK thanks guys - so it's not very clear cut really and I'll just have to examine each job on it's merits... :)
mrming
(Jul 12 05, 06:55)
--------------------------------Sounds about right.
- Bottlerocket0
If your getting this through a recruitment agent, then usually they're a marketing agency. A place I NEVER want to go back to.
But as I said, check out what the job entails, in some cases, it's just a title and as Vespa pointed out..is just really ink on some stationary and means diddley-squat
- uberdesigner0
this is a repeat of another thread?
- spendogg0
started when I was 20 - Intern - prepress - typographer - designer - designer - freelance designer - jr. art director - art director - creative director = creative director/partner.
i am 34 now
- jevad0
" It's also a bit different with digital arms of traditional ad agencies. "
yep - I'm an Interactive AD here and it means I have to be on top of everything that is being done for interactive. Brainstorms, meetings, making sure milestones are being met, making sure the designs are tight and consistent etc....
Basically I am responsible for providing design, conceptual and stylistic leadership, visual execution and coding.
- spendogg0
i am not in the interactive arm - so i am sure i will be obsolete soon.
- mrming0
I guess ideally I'd like to work under a AD/CD whose work I really respect. I've been out on my own pretty much since I started and have never really had the benefit of anyone else's experience. Anyone got any views on this? Does there come a point in your design career when you need to learn from your elders?
- orangemorning0
hired at 24 and still 24. I was hired as a production ass. then the designer quit, she trained me for a week. then the Art Director quit the next week. I ran the art dept. for 6 months as the art director. Then got demoted again to designer when a man came along with just 1 more year of exp., but i still do art directing and designing and production work, however my boss who promoted me then demoted me refers to me to clients as one of the 2 art directors. I have not gotten a raise though and took a second job as a server. I am looking for another job.
- derek20050
"promoted me then demoted me"
aww that sucks! good luck to ya in the other job...
- MrDinky0
its worst when you get promoted and get fired.
- UD_isEverywhere0
that was a bit poor.
good luck on your hunt m8.