Art Directors - advice
Out of context: Reply #26
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- kitson0
ADs ACDs CDs and Producer positions require a lot more than a good eye. So, don't get it twisted.
A lot of designers don't end up wanting that responsibility once they get there and see what it's all about. Being an AD at most firms doesn't mean just deciding what looks pretty. You become the face of a company. You have to come up with big concept ideation on the spot that makes sense without sounding like an asshole. You're thrown into social situations with million dollar clients, and if you fuck up, people can lose their jobs in an instant.
There's also a lot of politics involved. Sending out an email to a client with even the wrong tone can make them walk. You have to remember names of people you may not particularly like, their work history, where you met them and when, and keeping that all straight on top of your work schedule and employees... It's a lot more than a lot of people think, and not many can do it well.
It takes a bit longer and an uphill battle to get there at a bigger firm like Chiat or Deutsch, but, the salaries definitely reflect all the hard work. I would never suggest running in that direction without putting in your time and observing how things go down.
Smaller firms give you a lot more responsibility and client contact earlier on out of necessity. It's a great way to build relationships with bigger clients who farm out some of their work to smaller studios, who will support you in your transition over to a big agency AD when you're ready. There is a small community of people who know everyone in the boutique agency microcosm. And, you're only 1 or 2 people removed from many of the small firms around the states (if you want to work in the states). So, it's important not to fuck up, even though it's not a big agency. You could go this route, but when you're ready to make the jump to big agency, know that the game is going to change up dramatically and you have to stay on your toes.
I started really working when I was 17.